Note to Editors: Kindly note that the soundbites included in the previous version of this statement were incorrect. Click here for the correct soundbites in English and Afrikaans. With apologies.
More than 20 years of neglect by the ANC-led JB Marks Local Municipality (formerly known as Tlokwe) have seen the avoidable and unnecessary destruction of several heritage sites.
The most recent is the collapse of the Smidswinkel at the President Pretorius House this week after heavy rains, which could have been avoided if the necessary maintenance was done to secure and preserve the building for future generations.
Last month saw the 102-year-old Potchefstroom Train Station destroyed by fire. The station has been victim to stripping, vagrancy and general neglect to do restoration maintenance for many years, which all increases the risk of fire and collapse.
In July 2020, the General’s House at Witrand, built to accommodate the commanding officers of the British garrison stationed in Potchefstroom after the Anglo-Boer War, was destroyed by fire after years of neglect. This Grade 2 provincial heritage site also served a the home of the North West Cricket Board between 1996 and 2000. However, after vacating the Edwardian-style building, despite several proposals to repurpose the premises by businesses, the heritage site was left to decay through wilful neglect and the stripping of historic fixtures such as brass door handles, cast iron fireplaces and light fixtures. The fire could have been prevented as several requests were made to secure the area and clear out the overgrown veld surrounding the property, as late as June 2020, but the JB Marks Municipality failed to respond. This is a huge loss to Potchefstroom’s heritage.
Today, the heritage site of the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture, specifically the Selbourne Hall and Administration Building stand in absolute ruin. (See pictures here and here). In 1912, the Africander Cattle Breeders Society was established in the Selbourne Hall. This heritage site played a pivotal role in agricultural research and training. In 2003, the late Minister Edna Molewa described the college as the largest agricultural research and training centre on the African continent. The heritage site has also fallen victim to the stripping of antique fixtures.
The ANC in government only wishes to preserve its own history, while it neglects to preserve the histories of all the diverse people of South Africa, despite legislation and funding made available for the preservation of all historic and heritage sites.
This is very much in line with the decay that residents in JB Marks experience with the delivery of services which force residents to drive on pothole-ridden roads and to contend with leaking water supply pipes, sewage that runs down the streets and the general filth we are exposed to in town.
The ANC does not care about our past, and it doesn’t care about our present circumstances. The ANC only cares about itself and how much money it can steal from taxpayers.
We need change in Potchefstroom.
The DA is ready to rebuild what the ANC has destroyed. We call on residents of JB Marks to join us to return good governance, service delivery and, above all, respect for each and every resident and the value they hold as part of our community.
Following the recent destruction of heritage sites, the DA will call for an audit of all North West Heritage sites in the Provincial Legislature and we will conduct oversight inspections at all the heritage sites in the province, to establish their status including the budgets allocated for their upkeep and preservation.