Our heritage is unique and precious and it cannot be renewed. It helps us to define our cultural identity and therefore lies at the heart of our spiritual well-being and has the power to build our nation. It has the potential to affirm our diverse cultures, and in so doing shape our national character.
Our heritage celebrates our achievements and contributes to redressing past inequities. It educates, it deepens our understanding of society and encourages us to empathise with the experience of others. It facilitates healing and material and symbolic restitution and it promotes new and previously neglected research into our rich oral traditions and customs.
From the preamble to the National Heritage Resources Act of 1999
Who are We?
Heritage South Africa was established in 1959 as the Simon van der Stel Foundation and is currently the largest, best known and oldest national non-governmental (NGO) involved with heritage conservation. We are a non-profitable section 21 company with ten affiliated member organisations with almost two thousand enthusiastic volunteers.
Heritage South Africa Activities
We liase with and inform individuals, decision makers, authorities and organisations about the protection of conservation-worthy structures and other aspects of South Africa's rich and colourful immovable heritage. We co-operate with a large group of experts, specialists, professionals and academics. We provide information and advice about conservation guidelines and restoration work. We stimulate and promote a collective awareness and appreciation concerning the value of heritage objects for all communities.
At local level our members offer • talks about relevant subjects • excursions to conservation-worthy sites and structures • school competitions to make learners more aware of our heritage • the opportunity to become involved with conservation projects or restoration work
Management and Administration
Heritage South Africa is managed by a national chairperson and a board of directors who are elected at an annual general meeting. The executive responsibilities are undertaken by a part-time national secretary. Member organisations function at local or regional level through their own elected committees and sub-committees.
Publications
Heritage South Africa's professional journal, Restorica, is a highly respected publication whose forerunner was published for the first time in 1959. Member organisations issue regular newsletters about their activities and conservation issues. Publications and research about specific subjects are periodically undertaken or promoted by Head Office and its affiliated organisations.
Annual Meetings, Symposiums and Workshops
Heritage South Africa organises symposiums to coincide with its annual general meetings which are usually hosted on a rotating basis by one of the member organisations. It gives members and the wider public the opportunity to attend lectures by experts about specific projects or subjects, to consult with such specialists or to investigate conservation work in other localities. National workshops are also organised periodically.
Current Projects
Heritage South Africa recently launched an extensive country-wide survey of conservation-worthy structures in co-operation with other heritage partners. Local organisations and individuals from all walks of life and communities will largely be responsible to collect the necessary information. The project will, amongst others, try to rectify the imbalance in the identification, evaluation and conservation of historical sites and structures.
The main aim is to eventually establish an extensive electronic database in partnership with other authorities, organisations and individuals. It will benefit academics, students, learners, authorities, organisations and even tourists. We also envisage that the national survey will lead to additional statutory protection, apart from many research projects and publications.
Associated Companies
Heritage Care is an initiative which runs parallel with the heritage survey. Its chief objective is to assist local authorities with the implementation of the National Heritage Resources Act of 1999. It is largely aimed at the identification, evaluation and management of sites and structures of architectural and historical importance.
In order to enable individuals and organisations to become involved in this monumental project, a specialist financial body, the South African Places Foundation, was established.
Although both these organisations are initiatives of Heritage South Africa they are geared towards participation by individuals, heritage or community organisations and companies.
Finances
As a non-profit section 21 company, Heritage South Africa is dependent on donations, sponsorhips, membership fees and incoome from conservation projects or outings. It has a registered fund-raising number and is audited annulaly in accordance with the Company's Act. We therefore invite you to become part of Heritage South Africa's unique partnership between capital and culture.
Membership
Heritage South Africa has several membership categories. Individuals and organisations who are involved or interested in the sustainable protection of their own environment or the country's built environment, are invited to become members of this organisation, to participate in its advantages. If you therefore have a passion for our rich cultural and historical heritage as well as the promotion of an inclusive appreciation and interest in it, then Heritage South Africa will be your home.
CONTACT HERITAGE SOUTH AFRICA
You are invited to get in touch with us at Heritage South Africa about membership or if you have any other queries or comments:
Tel: 021 872 6092 * Fax: 021 872 0174 National Head Office PO Box 2646, Paarl, 7620
