2016-2019
The following letter was published in Die Burger in January 2019 :
Neglect of the Castle
In connection with Mr. J. Rademan’s letter (DB; 10.1.19). It is almost unbelievable that the unique Castle, which should be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is not among the Peninsula’s top six tourist attractions (Radio Sonder Grense; 07:50, 15.1. 2019). The decline is pitiful to see. The Castle’s governing board should take note of how historic VOC buildings in Indonesia are being used positively for tourism and education.
Members of Stigung VOC’s management committee met in the Castle in 2018 with the Chief Executive Officer, a member of the Castle Governing Board and members of staff, regarding rubbish heaps along the Castle’s walls, weeds outside and on the walls, grease spots on the pavement, notices of plastic on the walls, a large tent that fills the forecourt and prevents viewing, air purification devices on the cross wall roof, and other forms of visual pollution and insensitive heritage management.
The management’s defense against the sloppiness was that there was no staff or money, but that the situation would improve in October. After all, money was found to make a number of statues of figures, who are labeled as ‘warrior kings’ (an untenable statement) and are intentionally exhibited just in front of the centuries-old baroque pui, ‘positioned in front of the Kat balcony ( sic), visually defying the most conspicuous symbol of colonialism,’ (quote from Kasteel Beheeraad’s Annual Report, 2017) as a result of which it became impossible for visitors to enjoy, appreciate or photograph this architectural gem.
We are of the opinion that the CEO and Chairman of the Governing Board are insensitive to what they were appointed to protect and promote, and are now investigating whether the National Heritage Resources Act (Act 25 of 1999) is being breached in the process. The squatter shelters against the walls in Strand Street are the City of Cape Town’s task; it exacerbates the impression of rubbish, decay and danger around the Castle, which should be Cape Town’s pride.
Yours faithfully JL Hattingh (Prof.) Chairman: Foundation VOC
Printouts of letters:
The photos next to this were taken in January 2019 and indicate the poor maintenance of the Castle and the grounds.
