Update: All roads lead to Botshabelo…
Representatives of the SA Heritage Foundation will visit Botshabelo during the weekend to investigate the extent of the deterioration of the provincial heritage site.
The collapse of a back wall of the Botshabelo church, built in 1868, is so distressing that Mayor Mike Masina has now decided to assemble a team to go and ascertain whether anything can be done to restore the Place of Refuge to its former glory.
In last week’s The Mayor Says, Mayor Masina conceded that the town would have been economically better off, if Botshabelo had been protected.
Mayor Masina also conceded that Botshabelo is a classic example of land reform failures in the country.
Ms Cecilia Kruger, Chief Operating Officer of the Heritage Foundation, this week commended Mayor Masina for his candid view, and willingness to intervene.
“He deserves a medal,” she told the Middelburg Observer on Tuesday.
Well known political analyst and media veteran, Mr Harald Pakendorf, also plans to meet with three representatives of the Botshabelo Community Trust, comprising of 1000 restitution families, to map out plans to save Botshabelo.
Mr Pakendorf says that the representatives contacted him, and asked him to assist with a turnaround strategy for Botshabelo.
“The vision is for a tourism development company to take over the management of Botshabelo, pay a users fee for the privilege, maintain the buildings and train and employ members of the trust,” Mr Pakendorf said.
Mr Pakendorf has agreed to meet with the representatives, and to avail whatever tourism contacts he has, to see Botshabelo restored to its prime.
Mayor Masina was out of town this week, and mayoral committee member, Ms Rehana Pilodia says, the site visit will be scheduled next week, upon his return.
Sadly, the clock mechanism in Botshabelo’s bell tower has been stolen. It is one of two clock mechanisms still in existence.
Mayor Masina was away on business and only returned to town on Thursday.
His schedule for next week, according to mayoral committee member Ms Rehana Pilodia, “is also packed,” but she said Mayor Masina will not be dragging his feet in regards to Botshabelo.
Read previous stories here:
Outrage at Botshabelo mining plans
Video: Botshabelo – spookdorp van verval
