Description:
Us in Jo'burg have tend not to think about our heritage. We don't appreciate our buildings like those in more touristy destinations do, but we do have a heritage that is worth protecting.
But not everyone feels this way - Imperial group just demolished heritage buildings in Richmond, near Auckland Park, this is despite a court order saying that they were not allowed to demolish those buildings. This was done to build another ugly car showroom.
1. By our signatures to this petition we wish to register the strongest protest against the unlawful demolition of all the buildings of the Rand Steam Laundries in Richmond, Johannesburg. This is a provisionally declared heritage site that is protected by law and predates the Anglo Boer War. It represents an irreplaceable part of Johannesburg's early history.
2. We express our support for the City of Johannesburg, the PHRAG (Provincial Heritage Resources Authority of Gauteng) and the Police in acting against the perpetrators and we urge a speedy prosecution before a court of law by both authorities.
3. We believe that the heritage buildings should be rebuilt, replicating what has been destroyed, and that the Gauteng MEC for Sports Arts and Culture should, in the event of a conviction, consider using his/her powers under the National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA) to prohibit further development on the property (other than the new replicated buildings) in additional to all other penalties in the act and require the cultural value of the place to be maintained.
4. We are members of the public whose interests are protected by the NHRA. This demolition must not be allowed to obliterate the memory and significance of Amawasha or the links between the ordinary citizens of Johannesburg and the history of their city.
Additional comments added on
February, 04 2008
On Thursday 7th February we shall be holding a protest on the pavements around the site of the old Rand Steam laundries. We have organised some banners but please feel free to bring placards, but no four letter words as we have promised the JMPD that this will be an orderly and peaceful protest.
We start at 4pm to catch the traffic and should finish around 6 or 6.30 pm.
DOWN WITH IMPERIAL-ISM ; IMPERIAL DESTROYED OUR HERITAGE; HOOT IF YOU HATE IMPERIAL; RESPECT OUR LAWS
The date is singularly appropriate as Radio 702 has vigorously pursued Imperial for this unlawful action. Special thanks also go to Die Beeld which broke the story and has followed it through. Also thanks to the Northcliff Melville Times which first drew our attention to Imperial?s purchase of the heritage laden site.
Those Jo?burg newspapers and radio stations which have failed to cover this story of total disregard for the laws of our country share Imperial?s indifference and shame. They cry crime quickly enough, but keep quiet when it seems to emanate from the boardroom.
Additional comments added on
February, 04 2008
Please note, I've made an error in the description.
Imperial demolished the buildings NOT in spite of a court order but ?In spite of a provisional declaration as a Heritage Site which was imposed in 2006 to protect the collection of old buildings on the site."
Torn apart as we watched 10th Jan
Utterly destroyed on Thursday 10th Jan
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Torn apart as we watched 10th Jan
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Utterly destroyed on Thursday 10th Jan
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More distruction
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... and more
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The mud was all that was left of these historic buildings.
More distruction
... and more
I the undersigned hereby show my support for this petition.
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Last 4 Signatures:
112
Chantal Healing
111
nadine bester
Julius mst get over it, clearly we r stupid whites 4 voting Mandela to b released & 2 put an end to apartheid if this is the end result afts so many yrs...two words... JACK ASS!!!
110
Tarryn Hankins
109
Peter Kramer
108
Vincent Van Der Merwe
Julius needs to go.
107
Henry Paine
Under no circumstances should these bastards be allowed to make any money from their criminal activities. The world would be better off without this kind of business.
106
Rika Featherstonehaugh
105
jurie klopper
104
Tricia Davis
103
Cornelia Rudman
Leave our heritage alone for our children to enjoy one day and share with their children.
