Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashtile has declared that the South African Heritage Resource Agency (Sahra) is ready to begin renovating and refurbishing the Old Gaol, two years after forcing the closure of the popular local venue.
Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashtile has declared that the South African Heritage Resource Agency (Sahra) is ready to begin renovating and refurbishing the Old Gaol, two years after forcing the closure of the popular local venue.
Half of the R10 million allocated to the Old Gaol’s refurbishment must be used for planning, including a public participation process and consulting with historical expert, said the South African Heritage Resource Agency.
SAHRA was subject to criticism from all around the world when it evicted 12 year owner Brian Peltason from the Old Gaol in 2010. Supporters made up off previous tenants, Grahamstown residents and students from around the world, flocked to the Old Gaol backpackers Facebook page leaving messages of support, however they were unable to stop its closing.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Heritage Trust criticised SAHRA handling of the situation. It declared their actions showed “total collapse of provincial structures” in following procedures for the alterations of sites over 60 years old.
Announcing changes
However, in 18 months it will all be worth it, says SAHRA. In May 2012, Mashatile informed Grahamstown that the Old Gaol, which is more than 200 years old, would get a much-needed facelift.
“After having reclaimed this site, we are now ready to renovate and refurbish the Gaol and transform it into a centre for heritage training,” Mashatile said in his speech at a SAHRA function held in the Makana Botanical Gardens in May.
“We have allocated an initial amount of R10m towards the renovation and refurbishment of the site.”
“The upliftment of the Gaol will help transform it into an exemplary South African heritage building. The GADRA classes would continue on site and will share the space with SAHRA, who will use it as the Centre for Training, Research and Education. We expect to complete the first phase of the project by the end of the 2012-13 financial year” promised the Minister.
Consultations soon
“We have to ensure we keep the Department of Public Works involved in the project every step of the way. This is the standard procedure when money is received from the government in this manner,” said Sahra research, training and education manager, Thanduxolo Lungile.
“It can be quite a task, constantly reporting to them and the National Treasury, but it makes it easier for them to ensure the money is being spent properly.” He said architects, engineers and historians had been consulted, and a heritage impact assessment would be completed. Such an assessment would dictate the parts of the Gaol to be restored, destroyed or replaced.
“Out of the R10m allocated to the project, R5m of it has to go to planning, Lungile said. We were quite shocked when Public Works told us that was the allocation.”
The planning work is substantial, with public participation assessments having to be drawn up and numerous historical experts consulted. Lungile said at least 18 months are needed before the project will be complete.
Time is of the essence, however, because students from all over South Africa will be enrolling in the Centre for Training, Research and Education.
“It's an extremely exciting project” said Lungile, “But a huge one at the same time. The Gaol should be looking its best by the end of next year.”
