PROTECTING HERITAGE RESOURCES DURING CONSTRUCTION

When land had to be identified for Gautrain’s route, special care was taken to honour our national heritage. Experts were consulted and careful research was done to ensure that places of historical significance would be protected for future generations.

Before any development could take place, all areas were scrutinised for heritage structures or resources older than 60 years. A list was drawn up and a full cultural-historical analysis accompanied with photographs was provided for each item.

This list was then submitted to The South African Heritage Resource Agency (SAHRA) and Gauteng Province Heritage Resources Agency (GPHRA). These two bodies guide the preservation, demolition, protection, excavation or any other disturbance of national heritage resources, being the legal custodians thereof.

Buildings, land, graveyards and archaeological items of historical significance are protected by the National Heritage Resources Act. It also protects archaeological artefacts or human remains that are discovered by chance once construction work has started.

• Legal guidelines

Following a diligent analysis of Gautrain’s route, community consultation and inviting public comment through the Government Gazette, authorities had to distinguish between resources that could be demolished, those that had to be preserved entirely and those that could only be partially preserved.

In each of the cases, SAHRA provided stringent conditions described in the relevant permits they issue. One of these conditions is the involvement of approved heritage specialists or qualified archaeologists who need to regularly supervise all affected construction sites.

Construction workers are thoroughly trained on what to do. This is also valid in cases where construction takes place in the vicinity of protected heritage resources. Areas have been demarcated by using fences or any other means to safeguard protected areas from noise, dust or other damage during construction.

In cases where undocumented archaeological heritage resources are discovered by chance, construction work will stop immediately. Nothing will be removed from the construction site and a SAHRA specialist need to be called in within 72 hours. The discovery will be dealt with in a sensitive and appropriate manner according to the discovery.

Should construction workers happen to find undocumented graves or human remains by chance, they will immediately contact the South African Police Services. Investigations will follow and the relevant families or communities will be informed.

• Heritage resources on Gautrain’s route

Following the heritage protection guidelines described in the permits issued by SAHRA, the following instances have been recorded:

• Johannesburg: The 1910 Johannesburg Technical College was demolished to make way for the Gautrain Park Station excavation. Artefacts of historical significance such as doors, iron gates and window frames were preserved and handed over to authorities for preservation.
• Tshwane: the 1910 coach washing shed in the Pretoria Station precinct. The shed will be renovated, preserved and incorporated in the new Gautrain Pretoria station.
• Hatfield: The 1910 Rissik Station. A portion of the station will be preserved and artefacts such as old sculptures will be incorporated in the new Gautrain Hatfield station.
• Mature trees: the preservation of the Palm trees in Tshwane.
• Places of historical value not directly affected by construction: areas such as the Modderfonteinspruit Valley and the Salvokop/Freedom Park precinct will be regularly inspected. These areas are in close proximity to construction sites and will be fenced off for protection.