Cape Town is protecting their heritage which is crucial. City’s rich cultural and natural heritage must be conserved for future generations. The Communities can be helped by respecting and protecting the areas.
Protecting the heritage is very important. The greatest challenge to good heritage management is finding the idle ground between conserving and protecting heritage and culture for future generations, and stimulating the sustainable development and economic opportunities within the metropolitan area of the city Cape Town.
There is also a great necessity of knowing your heritage, which is not only about knowing the ancient history, but it also affects the lives of the people too. Whether natural or cultural, the city is made up of treasures that both reflect the past and are valuable to today’s generations.
Moreover, the heritage resources include buildings, places and spaces, settlements, landscapes (both natural & cultural), along with objects and memorials.
The heritage of Cape Town is also facing threats, that cannot be renewed, if destroyed. It can never be replaced. Ignoring the reckless or profit-driven development that fails to consider the impact of such developments on the environment and the communities remains the greatest threat to heritage.
Other factors which can lead to loss of heritage and culture are poor maintenance, lack of funds to maintain a private site, theft, vandalism and wilful neglect.
Majorly, there are eight things that one can do to enjoy and help protect the heritage. As the heritage belongs to all the people of Cape Town and community participation which is vital in preserving the heritage resources.
Communities can help in identifying the places of heritage significance in their neighbourhoods and help to protect them for future generations by doing some things.
First is; visiting the heritage sites with children to teach them about their legacy and encourage others to do the same. Then, try to get the architectural advice for building alterations in historic areas before you make any changes as architect, homeowner or tenant.
Also, make sure your signage is in accordance with the city’s guidelines and advertising by-law if you own a business in an historic building. Use the information and resources that are available.
With around 25,000 sites listed on Cape Town’s heritage database plus historical maps and a well-stocked resource centre being set up for research or archiving, you have all the support you need to explore your heritage.
Clearing out the bookshelves or donating any treasured books on history and heritage of the Cape to the City of Cape Town’s heritage resource centre, is a good idea.
Report any destruction of a heritage resource to the environmental control officer, if you receive any. Register your local heritage interest group with the Environmental Management Department and with Heritage Western Cape and the South African Heritage Resources Agency.