Fading Legacies: Gauteng’s Crumbling Monuments

As South Africa marks Heritage Day this year, it is essential not to be swayed by the hollow promises of government officials who have failed to honour our past, as evident in the deteriorating state of monuments and heritage sites throughout Gauteng province.

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The crumbling heritage monuments in Gauteng serve as stark reminders of neglect and poor management. Sites like the Alexandra Heritage Centre, Walter Sisulu Square, and the old Sharpeville Police Station have fallen into disrepair, reflecting the Gauteng Provincial Government’s disregard for honouring those whose sacrifices led to democracy.

The Gauteng government’s actions often amount to rhetoric without substance when it comes to respecting the legacy of our fallen heroes and heroines. The OR Tambo Precinct in Ekurhuleni, valued at R54 million, fails to benefit residents due to subpar infrastructure resulting from shoddy workmanship.

Over R100 million has been squandered, leaving monuments like the Women’s Living Heritage Monument, the Kagiso Memorial, and the Boipatong Monument as mere shells of their envisioned glory. Monuments should symbolize more than physical structures; they should represent our resilience as a people and our aspirations for a brighter future.

The degradation of our historical monuments and heritage sites mirrors the broader decay in our country, encompassing economic, political, and social realms. Rising crime rates, growing poverty and unemployment, and a sense of hopelessness pervade Gauteng residents, who see their heritage monuments as sources of despair rather than inspiration.

Tourism is often hailed as a potential job creator, particularly for a low-skilled population. Heritage and culture offer unique advantages to a nation’s tourism sector, as they cannot be replicated elsewhere. Unfortunately, Gauteng and South Africa have not harnessed this potential to attract cultural tourists and stimulate foreign direct investment.

The neglect of our monuments deprives communities of assets that could contribute to their well-being and social cohesion. Some officials in the national and provincial governments seem more interested in sowing division or evading responsibility than in fostering unity and prosperity.

In the words of American author John Henrik Clarke, “A people’s relationship to their heritage is the same as the relationship of a child to its mother.” Disrespecting those who paved the way for us and who have sacrificed for our democracy is a disservice to our history and the lessons it imparts.

Gauteng deserves a government that goes beyond empty speeches and events to truly honor our past and heroes. The people deserve a government that preserves our culture and heritage by allocating proper resources and care to ensure the memories of our predecessors endure. In 2024, Gauteng residents have the power to choose a government that will prioritize and protect our heritage.

Source: Gauteng’s crumbling monuments and fading legacies

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Photo: Facebook / @ Kingsol Chabalala