Latest news with #SAHRA
Zawya
25-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Landmark decision in Cape Town as 150 Buitengracht project approved
The City of Cape Town has officially approved the 150 Buitengracht development by Flyt Property Investment – a milestone project that has become a model for heritage-sensitive urban renewal. 'This is a positive and important milestone,' said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. 'It shows how collaboration can shape a more inclusive and heritage-aware Cape Town.' This brings to a close a rigorous multi-year process marked by extensive design revisions, heritage considerations, and community collaboration. Originally launched in 2021, the project has evolved significantly in response to public engagement, heritage concerns, and insights raised by the Bo-Kaap Civic and Ratepayers Association. Situated at 150 Buitengracht Street, the development lies adjacent to the culturally significant Bo-Kaap and the historic Auwal Masjid, which prompted heightened scrutiny and a high level of design sensitivity to preserve the integrity of the area. 'The engagement process reflects a remarkable effort by the facilitators, Bo-Kaap community representatives, and the developer,' said the City of Cape Town's Municipal Planning Tribunal (MPT). 'It resulted in consensus on the form the development should take.' Preserving cultural integrity A facilitation process led by the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) between 2022 and 2023 resulted in a substantial redesign, documented in a 63-page report dated 30 June 2023. The revised proposal reflects significant adjustments aimed at preserving the integrity of the Bo-Kaap's heritage while addressing community concerns. The City found the final design to be 'context-sensitive", striking a careful balance between modern urban renewal and the preservation of Cape Town's unique cultural and architectural heritage. 'This has been a long and rigorous process,' said Ryan Flowers, managing director of Flyt Property. 'But we are proud to have worked alongside the City, the Bo-Kaap community, and heritage bodies to ensure 150 Buitengracht honours its surroundings while adding value to the urban fabric of Cape Town.' Flyt Property Investment has committed to creating a thoughtfully designed mixed-use building that blends with its environment while meeting the needs of a modern, vibrant city. The project will feature: - 40 residential units, ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments - Ground-floor retail spaces, fostering a dynamic streetscape - A rooftop restaurant and entertainment area, offering panoramic views of Table Mountain and the city - Secure underground parking, ensuring convenience for residents and visitors The City of Cape Town praised the process in its final remarks, stating: 'The concerted and meaningful effort to accommodate residents' concerns has resulted in a context-sensitive development that both protects heritage and promotes sustainable development.' With final authorisations now confirmed and all appeals now concluded, construction of 150 Buitengracht is expected to commence later this year, with completion targeted for 2026. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
TimesLIVE
10-06-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
‘You can't put a price on justice': McKenzie on reburials of ancestral remains and exile repatriation project
The government doesn't yet know how much it will cost to rebury the remains of Khoe and San ancestors or to bring home the remains of freedom fighters who died in exile, but minister of sport, arts and culture Gayton McKenzie says the cost doesn't matter. 'It can't cost enough because people gave their lives. You can't put a cost to a life,' McKenzie said during a media briefing on Monday. McKenzie announced two major national projects: the reburial of 58 ancestral remains from the Khoe and San communities and the next phase of the Exile Repatriation Project, both backed by the government of national unity. 'These are not just projects — they are acts of justice, remembrance and healing. 'They affirm our government's commitment to restore dignity, promote cultural restoration and confront the painful legacy of apartheid. These initiatives are about re-humanisation. They are spiritual but, most importantly, they are necessary,' he said. McKenzie said the 58 ancestral remains originating from the Northern Cape would be reburied in consultation with affected communities, including the Nama, Griqua, Korana, and San. The process was being led by the Iziko Museums, the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) and a local task team. 'It is not just about returning the remains to the soil. It is about restoring dignity. It is about fulfilling cultural and spiritual obligations. It is about healing the deep wounds of dispossession and, most importantly, historical erasure,' he said.
TimesLIVE
09-06-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
‘You can't put a price on justice': Mackenzie on reburials of ancestral remains and exile repatriation project
The government doesn't yet know how much it will cost to rebury the remains of Khoe and San ancestors or to bring home the remains of freedom fighters who died in exile, but minister of sport, arts and culture Gayton Mackenzie says the cost doesn't matter. 'It can't cost enough because people gave their lives. You can't put a cost to a life,' Mackenzie said during a media briefing on Monday. Mackenzie announced two major national projects: the reburial of 58 ancestral remains from the Khoe and San communities and the next phase of the Exile Repatriation Project, both backed by the government of national unity. 'These are not just projects — they are acts of justice, remembrance and healing. 'They affirm our government's commitment to restore dignity, promote cultural restoration and confront the painful legacy of apartheid. These initiatives are about re-humanisation. They are spiritual but, most importantly, they are necessary,' he said. Mackenzie said the 58 ancestral remains originating from the Northern Cape would be reburied in consultation with affected communities, including the Nama, Griqua, Korana, and San. The process was being led by the Iziko Museums, the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) and a local task team. 'It is not just about returning the remains to the soil. It is about restoring dignity. It is about fulfilling cultural and spiritual obligations. It is about healing the deep wounds of dispossession and, most importantly, historical erasure,' he said.
The South African
27-05-2025
- Business
- The South African
Previously disputed Bo-Kaap hotel now approved for development
The City of Cape Town's mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis has now approved a proposed hotel development at 150 Buitengracht Street in Bo-Kaap. The site, a vacant lot on the boundary between the heritage-rich Bo-Kaap and Cape Town CBD, is near to Auwal Masjid, which is the oldest mosque and madrassah in South Africa and is of great heritage significance to the area and city. The plans for this hotel were previously met with some contention and concerns by residents of Bo-Kaap. Due to these concerns, the plans have had to undergo extensive revision with community input via a six-month engagement facilitated by the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA). 'This appeal concerns an application near to a Masjid that is of profound heritage significance to all of Cape Town. For that reason, this matter has been treated with great care, and has followed an exhaustive engagement process. Few, if any, other development proposals have gone through such extensive community consultation, and redesign.' Mayor Hill-Lewis said. Mayor Hill-Lewis said that the hotel plan revision resulted in a consensus that the building should be smaller, lower, and that intrusive overlooking features be removed. 'The proposed building began its journey as nine storeys, but will now be six storeys, with a front facade of three storeys onto Buitengracht St. This is much smaller than several nearby hotels.' he added. The facilitation process was conducted from December 2022 to May 2023 by a SAHRA team, which included heritage architects, heritage practitioners, historians, anthropologists, legal experts, as well as built environment experts. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
