Report via the Heritage Association of South Africa (HASA).

Amid growing concerns regarding the state of Gauteng’s heritage, representatives from various heritage conservation bodies have met to discuss matters of common interest. As a result, the Gauteng Heritage Action Group has been established to engage the Provincial Heritage Resources Authority Gauteng (PHRAG) on pressing issues facing heritage. The Action Group is made up of representatives from Alberton Heritage, Cullinan Heritage Society, Egoli Heritage Foundation, Greater Alexandra Tourism & Heritage Association, James Mpanza Legacy Foundation, Johannesburg Heritage Foundation, Old Pretoria East Residents’ & Ratepayers’ Alliance, Modderfontein Conservation Society, Pretoria Institute of Architects, Sandton Heritage Association and the Tshwane Building Heritage Association. The aim of the Action Group is to work constructively towards advancing the capacity of PHRAG to meet its obligations fully in terms of national legislation.
 
For years now, heritage bodies have expressed the concern that Gauteng is failing in the implementation of the National Heritage Resources Act in several ways. As early as 2008 a report prepared by the Underpressure Agency (UA) for the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation identified a number of policy, institutional and organisational weaknesses hampering provincial heritage management. According to the Action Group, almost ten years have passed since the report was completed with no visible progress taken by PHRAG to address the bleak findings in this report. The Action Group has requested a meeting with PHRAG council members.

For more details and to join the GHAG contact Graham Dominy - graham@msunguli.co.za