Heritage Trust saddened by devastation
THE Cape Town Heritage Trust is devastated to learn about the terrible mountain fire that has destroyed a large part of the cultural landscape of the Rhodes Estate, the historic tea room next to the Rhodes Memorial, several buildings on the main campus including the Jagger Library with its internationally significant collection of historic archival documents and books, and the Fuller Hall residence.
As I write this, our office is enveloped in a pall of smoke and the sun is almost invisible.
Other buildings that have been destroyed include Mostert’s Mill, the historic windmill that was the only restored working windmill in the country, a historic house, Cadboll, that served as student accommodation, and several other historic buildings. Updates on the fire damage continue to stream in.
It is not only the buildings themselves that have been lost but their contents and collections; a memory and resource of immense value to all South Africans and, indeed, the world. We do understand that the university community has been safely evacuated and that no lives have been lost, and for this we are truly thankful. It is also understood that an urgent meeting will be held to assess the damage to the Jagger Library collection and we look forward to learning more details about the extent and scale of the damage to the collection.
The Trust stands ready to assist in whatever manner we can and offers an opportunity for those who wish to donate towards the restoration of the buildings devastated by the fire. Donations may be made to the Cape Town Heritage Foundation, an arm of the Trust that holds funding in trust for such situations.
The Foundation is a registered Public Benefit Organisation and has Section 18A status which enables the issuing of tax certificates of donation. For further information please contact our office manager Mrs Nicolette Nunes on 021 426 2157 or admin@heritage.org.za
To conclude, the Trust would like to add its voice to those of so many who have reached out to support our wonderful firefighters and all the organisations that have offered assistance in this time of loss and chaos. While the fires still rage, driven by a galeforce south-easter and much of Cape Town sits under a blanket of smoke, it is uncertain as to what further damage may occur.
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