Since 1994, South Africa has embraced an inclusive and democratic definition of heritage, yet the protection of the built environment remains uneven. While legislation provides a progressive framework, its implementation is fragile: enforcement is weak, penalties are negligible, and development pressures frequently prevail over preservation.
BOOK REVIEWS
Michael Stevenson’s Samuel Daniell: A Life of an Artist in Southern Africa and Ceylon, 1799–1811 stands as a work of rare distinction: sumptuous in production, meticulous in scholarship, and deeply rewarding in intellectual substance.
BLUE PLAQUES
Bra Gib was the founding father of theatre in the black townships – writing, acting and training talented singers, dancers, and actors to appear in his Township Musicals. He entertained local audiences, bringing laughter and catchy songs to the makeshift stages, but his musicals also dealt with social issues of crime, poverty, and apartheid.