AE01552V
A report on a heritage impact assessment for the upgrade of various buildings at Vhembe further education and training college/campuses, Limpopo ProvinceSummary
Archaetnos cc was appointed by MSW to conduct a heritage impact assessment for the upgrade of existing buildings at the Vhembe Further Education and Training College/ Campuses, also called the Tshisimane Project. This is close to Thohoyandou in the Limpopo Province.
The development entails minor changes to the existing buildings. Details thereof can be found in Appendix F. A number of 53 buildings were assessed with regards to its heritage significance. Of these 26 were on the northern campus and 27 on the southern campus.
It is concluded that the buildings investigated on the two campuses (North and South) can be divided into three categories, namely:
• Younger than 60 years
• Likely younger than 60 years
• Older than 60 years
These can be summarized as follows:
• Younger than 60 years
North Campus:
Toilet block (8)
Education Multipurpose Centre Library (9)
Staff room (10)
Class room 16-19 (13)
Store (22)
Hall (23)
South Campus:
Multipurpose Hall (30)
Classroom Block next to ablution on hill (32)
Hall (33)
Classroom Block (34)
Store (36)
Resource Centre (37)
Offices Block (38)
Store room (39)
Workshop and Classroom (41)
Classroom Block (42)
Lecture room/Hall (43)
Staff Residence (47)
Classrooms (48)
Staff residence (49)
Staff residence (54)
Staff Residence (55)
Stores/Workshop (56)
Classrooms (57)
• Buildings likely younger than 60 years
North Campus:
Main hall (3)
Lecture theatre (4)
Technology and Media in Education (5)
MDA Building (11)
Student Hostel Accommodation (14)
Student Hostel Accommodation (15)
Student Hostel Accommodation (16)
Hostel Block (17)
Student Laundry Area (18)
Classroom block (19)
Staff offices (20)
Gym and kitchen (21)
Toilet block (24)
Student Hostels (25)
Communal toilets (26)
Student Hostels (27)
Staff Housing (28)
Staff Housing (29)
South Campus:
Student toilets (31)
Student toilets (44)
Staff Residence (46)
Hall (52)
• Buildings older than 60 years
North Campus:
Classroom 1-8 and Offices (6)
Classroom (7)
South Campus:
Staff Residence (35)
GRC Office (45)
Storage (50)
Staff Residence (51)
Stores (53)
Most of the buildings are structurally in a good condition, but all of them are in urgent need of being upgraded. This includes both the exterior and interior.
No comments were received during the social consultation process.
The following is recommended:
• The buildings younger than 60 years:
– These have no heritage significance. It however are included in order to give a more comprehensive report.
– The proposed upgrade of these buildings may continue without any additional requirements.
• The buildings that are likely younger than 60 years:
– These were likely built during the 1960’s. Apart from the age thereof which would give it no heritage significance the buildings are in a bad state of decay (especially with regards to its interior) and has been changed many times since it has been built.
– It however are included in order to give a more comprehensive report. Even if some of these are older than 60 years, they have a very low heritage significance due to the mentioned changes.
– The proposed upgrade of these buildings may continue without any additional requirements.
• The buildings older than 60 years/ likely older than 60 years:
– These were likely built before the 1960’s.
– Although the age thereof gives it heritage significance, none of these buildings are in a good condition and it also has been changed many times since it has been built. The buildings also are not very unique and have no specific architectural features of note.
– Therefore it receives a rating of low cultural significance. The proposed upgrade of these buildings may continue, but a permit for this purpose should be obtained from the Provincial Heritage Authority of the Limpopo Province (LHRA).
• A comprehensive report on the conditions of buildings was done by MSW. This report is included as Appendix F. The heritage report should be read in conjunction with this Appendix which gives the details on the upgrading of the different buildings on site.
• The development may continue, but the necessary permits, as indicated above, should be obtained.
• Although highly unlikely it always is possible that archaeological and/or historical sites, features or artifacts may be encountered on site. Care should therefore be taken when development work commences that, if any artifacts are uncovered, a qualified archaeologist be called in to investigate.
• It is therefore recommended that the HIA be approved.
Report by
Dr. A.C. van Vollenhoven (L.AKAD.SA.)