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Assignment

Environmental Management 1A (University of Johannesburg)

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FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND THE BUILT

ENVIRONMENT

AN ANALYSIS OF THE HERITAGE STATUS OF ROBBEN ISLAND

HERITAGE ASSESSMENT (HTA3BB3)

ASSESSOR: Dr JN Klee

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 4 October 2024

STUDENT NUMBER SURNAME INITIALS

223165917 Du Toit D

Academic year 2024

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Plagiarism Declaration
University of Johannesburg
Faculty: Engineering and Built Environment
Department: History
Title: Ms
Full name(s): Dante Du Toit
Student number: 223165917
Programme: Heritage Assessment
Lecturer: Dr JN Klee
Due date: 4-7 October 2024
1. I understand that plagiarism is to present someone else's ideas as my own.
2. Where I have used material written by other people (whether from a printed
source or from the Internet), this has been carefully acknowledged and
referenced. I have used (Insert discipline appropriate convention) for citation and
referencing. Every contribution to and quotation from the work of other people in
this submission has been acknowledged through citation and reference.
3. I know that plagiarism is wrong.
3.1 I am aware of the University’s Plagiarism Policy, and I have fully familiarized
myself with the contents of this Policy.
3.2 I know that I will be guilty of plagiarism if I do not properly credit my sources,
or if I copy data, results, graphs, phrases, sentences or paragraphs from a
book, article, presentation, or Internet source without providing proper
citations.
4. I declare that I have Mitten my submission in my own words, sentences, and
paragraphs throughout and have properly credited all ideas / words / thoughts /
graphical and pictorial presentations obtained from other people's work. I declare
that this assignment is my own original work.
5. I have not allowed and will not allow anyone to copy my work with the intention of
passing it off as his or her own work.

SIGNATURE.
DATE

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Table of Contents
Plagiarism Declaration ............................................................................................... 1

Table of Contents ....................................................................................................... 2

List of Figures ............................................................................................................. 2

1. Introduction ......................................................................................................... 3

2. What is heritage? ................................................................................................ 3

3. Tangible Heritage ................................................................................................ 3

4. Importance of preserving heritage....................................................................... 4

5. Robben Island ..................................................................................................... 5

5.1 Significance/Importance of Robben Island ................................................... 6

5.2 Site Information ............................................................................................ 7

5.3 Compliance with Act No. 25, National Resource Heritage Act of 1999 ........ 8

5.4 Heritage Authorities...................................................................................... 8

5.5 Preservation Report ..................................................................................... 9

6. Reflection on Assignment .................................................................................. 10

7. Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 10

8. References ........................................................................................................ 11

List of Figures
Figure 1: The Castle of Good Hope............................................................................ 3
Figure 2: The Cradle of Humankind. .......................................................................... 4
Figure 3: The Voortrekker Monument. ........................................................................ 4
Figure 4: Robben Island. ............................................................................................ 6
Figure 5: Prisoners on Robben Island. ....................................................................... 6

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1. Introduction
Heritage has a fundamental function in the constitution of a nation’s identity, which
is essential to safeguarding its past and to its progress in the future. In South
Africa, heritage is made up of the cultural, historical and natural wonders that exist
in its many communities and the tragic effects of colonialism and apartheid. The
safeguarding of tangible heritage and intangible heritage is crucial to aid
understanding, reconciliation and national pride. This assignment will introduce
the concept of heritage, explain its importance and establish the obligations to
uphold significant places of interest. Through an examination of one of the
significant heritage sites in South Africa, the assignment will reveal the worth of
heritage conservation, and how the significance of heritage provides a basis for a
common, inclusive national pride.

2. What is heritage?
Heritage relates to the tangible and non-tangible facets of a community's cultural,
historical, and natural legacy that is transmitted across generations (Amherst,
2023). Heritage includes objects, places, and customs with significance and value
to societies, including identity, history, and shared memories.

3. Tangible Heritage
• Robben Island (World Heritage Site)
• The Castle of Good Hope (Cape Town)
• The Cradle of Humankind (Gauteng)
• The Voortrekker Monument (Pretoria)
• Union Buildings (Pretoria)

Figure 1: The Castle of Good

Hope.

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Figure 2: The Cradle of Humankind.

Figure 3: The Voortrekker Monument.

4. Importance of preserving heritage

Even when heritage signifies difficult histories, whether painful or controversial, it
performs an essential social function: it allows society to remember and learn from
a difficult past. Preservation of heritage allows society to hold ground to an
uncomfortable truth and educate individuals to deepen their understanding of
cultures. Heritage sites like these can incorporated into devices of education and
reconciliation in remembering the struggles endured and achievements made.
(Hassan, 2011)

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The conservation of historical structures helps communities maintain their distinct

character, encourage cultural tourism, and enhance property values. These
heritage sites entice visitors, boosting local economies as tourist spots. Moreover,
well-kept landmarks elevate the worth of neighbouring properties, establishing
preservation as a viable urban development tactic (Klee, 2024). Considering
sustainability, the preservation of heritage proves to be more cost-effective than
constructing new buildings, generating local job opportunities and lessening
environmental harm. Consequently, heritage conservation not only safeguards
cultural heritage but also advances economic prosperity and environmental
sustainability.

5. Robben Island
The reason I chose Robben Island as a heritage site is based on its deep historical
context related to the struggle for freedom and human rights within South Africa.
From a heritage perspective, Robben Island is a powerful symbol of resilience,
justice, and the fight against oppression (Philip, 1996). Its great significance for
me is due to Robben Island representing not only the physical site of confinement
for political prisoners but a stage of the journey of South Africa from utter
exploitation to democracy. Robben Island stands tall as a tribute to the sacrifices
made by those who dared to stand up against injustices born out of an unholy
desire to subjugate. It is still revered as a beacon of hope and reconciliation.

Personal significance stems from the realization that history is an occasion that
starts as a painful chapter but ends in a spirit of unity and national pride. This
Island reminds me that we need to take responsibility to preserve its memory so
that coming generations will get insight into their predecessors and their struggles
for freedom and equality. It reflects the resilience of the human spirit, signifies
human dignity and speaks for our innate desire for forgiveness. For me, the
heritage of Robben Island is important to serve not only in remembering the past,
but also as a guide on how to engage the future in social postulates of justice,
equality, and human rights. To this end, the quest for preserving the Island has

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ensured that the very essence of these significant lessons remains alive and
conserved for generations to come.

Figure 4: Robben Island.

5.1 Significance/Importance of Robben Island

Robben Island emerged as a memorial to human dignity and to the courageous
resistance against tyranny and injustice, embodying the indomitable spirit of those
who were fighting against apartheid for the freedom struggle. Its importance
emerges because of its historical background of being a prison, prominently during
the apartheid period, for the many political prisoners involved in the liberation
struggle for South Africa. What differentiates Robben Island from other historic
sites is the centre of the struggle, a place where some leading figures in the anti-
apartheid movement, Nelson Mandela among them, were imprisoned there for
most of his 27 years, Mandela spent 18 years on the island.

Figure 5: Prisoners on Robben Island.

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Robben Island was isolated by over 7 kilometers of water, heavily isolating the
political prisoners therein against the mainland. Such physical and psychological
isolation was indicative of the apartheid regime's ultimate purpose: to silence the
voice of political prisoners. Nevertheless, this isolation gave the prisoners stronger
motivation making Robben Island a crucible in which the spirit of resistance took
fire, hope was kindled, and intellectual indirection was aided. Despite their poor
living conditions, they debated, discussed, and educated themselves about their
struggles and the future of South Africa’s democracy; all this contrary to the
conditions laid down by their authorities where education was strictly disallowed.

Among Robben Island's great legacies lies the transition from an instrument of
oppression to an agent of reparation and healing. Today, Robben Island has
ascended to world status as a symbol of hope, forgiveness, and the triumph of the
human spirit over oppression. It remains a museum and UNESCO World Heritage
Site, ensuring the preservation of its history and the values it holds for generations
to come. Robben Island is a monument not just to the suffering of the detainees
but an ode to their burning dedication to justice, equality, and freedom, a constant
reminder of the painful but victorious path South Africa had walked towards
democracy.

5.2 Site Information

Robben Island is situated just over 7km from the shore of Cape Town, South Africa.
This flat, rocky island is about 5km2 in area which has been carefully protected as
a museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site, though it is naturally aging due to
environmental exposure. Since the 17th century, Robben Island has been home
to thoughtful imprisonment, most famously during the apartheid era for political
prisoners including Nelson Mandela (Corsane, 2007). The island was designated
a museum in 1997 and named a World Heritage site in 1999, representing
resilience, human rights, and the triumph of the human spirit.

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5.3 Compliance with Act No. 25, National Resource Heritage

Act of 1999
In recognition of Robben Island's validity with the requirements of the National
Heritage Resources Act (Act No. 25 of 1999), it has received designation as a
designated protected heritage site. The purpose of the Act is to ensure
safeguarding, conservation, and responsible management of important national
heritage resources across South Africa, so that they remain as such to future
generations (Winter, 2005). Robben Island, as a World Heritage Site, is subject to
strict management and conservation aimed at maintaining its historical meaning
and physical integrity. Periodic monitoring inspection, maintenance and restorative
efforts are carried out in mitigating the effects of natural erosion and deterioration.
These performances ensure that the island continues to be a powerfully evocative
site of South Africa's complex narrative, as well as a potent expression of
education and remembrance, and a space for contemplation on issues of human
rights and justice.

5.4 Heritage Authorities

The protection and management of Robben Island is under the purview of several
heritage authorities. To mention the highly significant site, there is the South
African Heritage Resources Agency (also called the SAHRA-PC) at the national
level that oversees the protection of heritage sites tabled at its office across the
country, which includes Robben Island. This statutory body established under the
National Heritage Resources Act is empowered with ensuring national heritage
sites respect and comply with strict legal frameworks. In its stated mission, it
coordinates conservation efforts, regulates activities that may damage heritage
resources, and raises awareness of why the sites are important to South Africa as
a cultural and historical heritage.

Besides the national oversight by SAHRA, UNESCO through a 1999 declaration,

maintains its international status as a World Heritage Site. This declaration attests
to Robben Island as an asset of global importance, symbolic of South Africa's
struggle against apartheid, and of universal significance as an example of the

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triumphant endurance of the human spirit. The UNESCO's involvement in this

matter ensures that for all purposes, the standards of international preservation
are put in place, with monitoring and reporting mechanisms relating to
architectural, cultural, and historical value for its preservation. (Government, 1999)

Both ensure that Robben Island will remain available in the future. Allowing this
will make sure that the site is a living testament to the fight for justice and human
rights, giving an occasion for visitors to remember the site's history. This body of
institutions is fundamentally important in keeping Robben Island as a well-
preserved, accessible, and educational heritage site, which will ensure that its
importance can be passed over to generations.

5.5 Preservation Report

Robben Island needs constant ongoing attention to safeguard its proper
preservation and contemporary relevance. Such an area of focus needs to include
the maintenance and restoration of the site and some of its physical structures
that have become decrepit from coast erosion, exposure to the elements and
natural aging.

Besides structural conservation, constructing accessibility for visitors ranks

amongst the priorities. Robben Island, as an international heritage, attracts many
visitors from across the globe, including the handicapped. By updating
transportation on and around the island so that it may be physically accessed by
more individuals, could ensure that the great majority of those with varied
handicaps would experience the island's historical significance firsthand.

In addition, the educational programs on the island, which stress its role in South
Africa's struggle for freedom and democracy, need continual development and
review (Deacon, 2007). These are seen as pivotal in creating and building
understanding, reconciliation, and debate about the complex issues of apartheid,
colonialism, and human rights. Expansions and updates to these programs will
keep them pertinent to new generations of students and visitors alike. Some of the
issues that need to be tackled are determined by natural effects like erosion and
weathering.

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6. Reflection on Assignment
This assignment has opened my eyes to the countless ways we can all mitigate
the impact of modernity on the heritage of South Africa. The study of heritage is
not strictly about preserving the physical remnants of history, but equally about
protecting the stories and lessons they carry. To that end, a bitter experience from
the past, from colonialism unto apartheid, has informed our cultural identity
equally. These act as living reminders of struggles and triumphs with the promise
for future generations to engage in an understanding of nation history.

Moreover, this assignment has pointed to the significance of civil engineering

experts in preserving heritage. Engineers are often tasked with maintaining
structural soundness of heritage sites resisting the ravages of nature. Their
expertise is conservation, restoration, and sustainable engineering to conserve
such sites for future generations to see and understand their historical
significance. This information solidified the understanding that the role of a civil
engineer could give much to preserving South Africa's rich heritage for the legacy
of historical preservation and cultural comprehension.

7. Conclusion
Heritage is, perhaps, the most important aspect in building individual or collective
identity and acting as an intermediary between the past and future. By keeping
these historical or cultural landmarks intact, Robben Island symbolizes the legacy
of resilience, justice, and human dignity to future generations. This assignment
enhances the understanding not only of the importance of conserving heritage
sites but also of the difficulties associated with the protection of heritage sites and
stewarding them responsibly. Furthermore, it only goes to illustrate how civil
engineers have a crucial role to play in the maintenance and preservation of such
sites; their work helps ensure the preservation of this rich and diverse heritage of
South Africa that will offer continued education toward reconciliation and national
pride. While the nation continues to grow, safeguarding their heritage is an
important aspect in the unification and understanding of their peoples and past.

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8. Bibliography
Amherst, U. o. M., 2023. What is Heritage?. Center for Heritage & Society, p. 1.

Corsane, G., 2007. Using ecomuseum indicators to evaluate the Robben Island
Museum and World Heritage Site. Landscape Research, 31(4), pp. 399-418.

Deacon, H., 2007. Intangible Heritage in Conservation Management Planning: The

Case of Robben IslandFootnote. Original Articals, pp. 309-319.

Government, S. A., 1999. National Heritage Resource Act 25 of 1999. [Online]

Available at: https://www.gov.za/documents/acts/national-heritage-resources-act-25-
1999-28-apr-1999
[Accessed 28 09 2024].

Hassan, M., 2011. Museum International. s.l.:s.n.

Klee, J., 2024. Study Guide , Johannesburg: s.n.

Philip, D., 1996. The Island: A History of Robben Island, 1488-1990. Western Cape:
New Africa Books.

Winter, S., 2005. Guideline for involving heritage specialists in EIA processes , Cape
Town: Department of Environmental Affairs & Development .

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