During National Heritage Month in September we reflect on the cultural heritage of South Africans and celebrated what makes us unique.
This includes the preservation of our public buildings.
The Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) is the custodian of property owned by the Western Cape Government (WCG). Under the National Heritage Resources Act, it must ensure that no WCG-owned structures older than 60 years are altered or demolished without a permit from Heritage Western Cape.
Cathy Skillicorn, Director: Programme/Projects Infrastructure Delivery in our Public Works branch believes that preserving historical buildings is important for current and future generations.
"Certain buildings and places hold special significance in our communal story – they inform where we come from and what shaped where we currently find ourselves as a society," says Cathy.
"As a Department, it is one of our responsibilities to ensure that our built heritage resources remain intact, do not fall into disrepair, and are preserved as part of our shared heritage, both for current and future generations."
- Read more about Heritage Western Cape (HWC).
- See the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport list of the Western Cape’s provincial heritage sites.
One of the Department's responsibilities is the preservation of WCG-owned public buildings that have heritage significance.
Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital
Situated between the Liesbeek River and the Black River, Valkenberg Hospital was founded in 1891. On 20 February of that year, the first patients were transferred from Robben Island to the Valkenberg Asylum.
DTPW has recently undertaken a number of construction, upgrading, and renovation projects as part of the greater Valkenberg Hospital Revitalisation project. The work includes:
- New medical suites
- administration facilities
- new electrical reticulation and power supply,
- new bulk water mains,
- roads and parking
- landscaping
- extensive refurbishment of the existing hall and adjacent boardroom.
Read more on Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital
- Revitalisation of the historic core of Valkenberg Hospital is complete (news)
- Opening of renovated administration buildings at Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital (news)
- First phase of Valkenberg Hospital revitalisation complete (news)
Leeuwenhof
Leeuwenhof was originally a farmhouse dating to the time when the Dutch East India Company ruled Cape Town. It was acquired in 1936 by the Provincial Government as the official residence of the Administrator, and has been the official residence of the Premier since 1994. The Department of Transport and Public Works maintains and preserves this historic house.
Key works include:
- Restoration of the Batavian floor tiles
- Repairs to damp and cracked walls
- replacement of parts of the roof
Read more on Leeuwenhof refurbishment project.
Elsenburg
The Department preserves and maintains this historical farmyard, including its buildings and other structures. The provincial government acquired Elsenburg from Frank Myburgh on 1 September 1898. Elsenburg College of Agriculture was founded on 15 May 1912 and is classified as a Western Cape heritage site.
Elsenburg Agricultural College
Main building
Projects at Elsenburg:
- Old Stables Building: Renovation & restoration, including wine maturation cellaring facilities (2003)
- Elsenburg Manor House: Conservation/ renovation and localised landscaping works (2008)
- Old Cellars: Conservation and landscaping works (2011 - 2013)
- Elsenburg Manor House, Mill-race etc: Conservation/ specialist restoration works (2016 - 2017)
Read more about Elsenburg on the Department of Agriculture’s website.
The Department of Transport and Public Works also protects and manages these historical buildings:
- Somerset Hospital
- 140 -142 and 148 Dorp Street
- 9 Dorp Street
- Leeuwenhof
- 7 and 15 Wale Legislative Building
- 68 Orange Street
- Groote Schuur Hospital Old Main Block
- Huguenot Building
- Alexandra Hospital Oude Moolen
- Alexandra Hospital Main Building
- Valkenberg
- Victoria Hospital
- Jan Van Riebeeck High School
- Kromme Rhee Provincial Training Institute Manor House
- Tokai Manor House