ABOUT US

The Heritage Association of South Africa is the voice of conservation bodies from around the country dedicated to conserving the national estate. With our roots in the Simon van der Stel Foundation, we are the largest and oldest conservation lobby group in South Africa. We are guided by our Constitution. 

Our values

We hold that heritage plays an important role in national prosperity and well-being.
We believe that change to the historic environment requires careful management.
We stand for accountability in the management of the national estate.
We promote scientific inquiry and research.
We are committed to the values of the Constitution of South Africa and the National Heritage Resources Act.

Our objectives

  • To be dedicated to the principles and objectives of South African heritage legislation
  • To advocate and promote the need for the conservation of the heritage resources
  • To provide a national perspective and collective opinion on matters of conservation of heritage resources
  • To recognise the contribution of individuals and organisations to the cause of heritage

What we do

The Heritage Association of South Africa carries out a number of roles and functions:

  • It provides forums and other means of communication to share information and knowledge.
  • It represents and advocates on behalf of our associates at a national level.
  • It monitors, assesses and acts upon issues of national import that may have an impact on the conservation of the national estate.
  • It promotes and fosters public appreciation, understanding and knowledge of our shared heritage.
  • It offers expertise and knowledge in support of our associates.

Projects

Blue plaques

The Simon van der Stel Foundation spearheaded the introduction of blue plaques in South Africa. Continuing this legacy, the Heritage Association of South Africa sponsors the erection of blue plaques in host towns of the annual Heritage Symposium. When you see a blue plaque, take a photo and share it on social media using the hashtag #BluePlaquesSA. In this manner, you can help us build a database of blue plaques in South Africa. Include the physical address of the site in your post so that we can find it.

Restorica

Restorica was the official publication of the Simon van der Stel Foundation. The publication focused on historical buildings, antique furniture, works of art, historic documents, Africana, period building materials and antique vehicles. In partnership with the University of Pretoria, the 30 volumes of Restorica, published between 1975 and 1998, have been digitised and made accessible via the University’s online repository. Visit the UP Repository to search the collection.

Our associates

Eastern Cape

Mandela Bay Heritage Trust

We, the Mandela Bay Heritage Trust (MBHT), are a small group in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro made up of Architects, Historians, Designers and other interested parties that combined afford the Metro a wealth of experience with built heritage matters. Our principal aims are to preserve built heritage and educate the citizens of the Metro regarding built heritage, its value to us and why it is important.

Website: www.mbht.co.za                                                                                 Email: info@mbht.co.za

 

 

The Border Historical Society

The Border Historical Society’s aims: 1) To promote interest in the history of East London and the Eastern Cape of South Africa, 2) To identify historical buildings and heritage sites, and to gather all available information concerning them for purposes of record and preservation, 3) To be aware of the important primary sources of information on local history and encourage these to be lodged in a recognised archive, 4) Publish a bi-annual journal, The Coelacanth, 5) To collect and record the memories and reminiscences of local inhabitants, 6) To organise visits to places of historical interest, 7) To organise lectures on matters of historical interest, 8) To mount a protest in the event of any historic site or building being threatened with destruction, and 9) To establish contact with existing societies pursuing similar interests and to encourage the establishment of affiliated societies.

Email: gordoncampbell76@gmail.com

The Owl House Foundation

The objective of the Foundation is to protect, preserve, conserve, maintain and promote “The Owl House”.

Website: www.theowlhouse.co.za                                                                   Email: chair@theowlhouse.co.za

 

The Historical Society of Port Elizabeth

To foster and promote interest in the historic past of South Africa, particularly of the Eastern Cape Province and more particularly of the Port Elizabeth district.

Website: www.historicalsocietype.co.za                                                        Email: info@historicalsocietype.co.za                                                  Chairman: Graham Taylor                 Email: info@historicalsocietype.co.za Secretary: Colleen O’Brien                  Email: info@historicalsocietype.co.za

 

Somerset Oos Heritage Association

 

Graaff Reinet Heritage Association

 

Free State

Elandskop Museum 

Heritage, cultural and environmental conservation, research and museum services.

Email: twinmosia98@gmail.com

Sandstone Heritage Museum

We are the operators of a Heritage Collection of  agricultural equipment, earthmoving equipment, military vehicles and an operating 2ft gauge steam railway.

Website: www.sandstone-estates.com                                                        Email: daver@sandstone.co.za                                                                  Secretary: David Richardson                                                                                  You Tube: https://youtu.be/kpQg9zB8T2g

 

Clarens Heritage Association

 

Gauteng

The Brenthurst Library

Privately owned Africana library specializing in the history and natural history of southern Africa. Open to researchers and visits by appointment only. Collections include books, manuscripts, art works, audio visual material, maps and the Brenthurst Collection of Southern African Art. 

Email: info@brenthurst.co.za                                                                       Website: www.brenthurst.org.za                                                              Chairman: Sally MacRoberts              Tel: 011 544 5412                            Secretary: Fylyppa Meyer                    Tel: 011 544 5400

 

 

Heidelberg Heritage Association

Heritage of Heidelberg and the preservation thereof.

Email: tonyburisch5690@gmail.com                                                    Chairman: Tony Burisch                           Tel: 072 460 9663

 

Johannesburg Heritage Foundation

Aims to protect the rich and varied heritage of Johannesburg and its associated social history, for the use and enjoyment of both current and future generations. The Foundation maintains a library and a research resource centre on all things related to Johannesburg history at the Holy Family College in Parktown.

Website: www.joburgheritage.org.za                                                             Email: mail@joburgheritage.co.za                                                         Chairman: Mr David Fleminger            Email: david@joburgheritage.org.za  Secretary: Mrs Barbara Cron               Tel: 060 813 3239

 

 

Krugersdorp Heritage Association

Modderfontein Conservation Society

 

KwaZulu-Natal

Durban Art Deco Society 

Conservation of Art Deco and other heritage architecture

Website: www.durbandeco.co.za                                                                    Email: mulholland@ukzn.ac.za                                                                Chairman: Nathan Francis     079 037 9821   francisarchitects@gmail.com Secretary: Michael Mulholland       082 806 7926   mulholland@ukzn.ac.za

 

Limpopo

 

Mpumalanga 

Dullstroom Heritage Association

Kaapsehoek History Cemeteries

  

Middelburg Erfenis / Heritage

Heritage conservation awareness and documentation of our area.

Email: petronel28@gmail.com

Mpumalanga Heritage

This is a group for members or those interested in Mpumalanga Heritage.

Email: linda@klcbt.co.za

Wakkerstroom Natural Heritage Association 

To engage in the conservation, rehabilitation and protection of the natural, historical and anthropological environment in the Wakkerstroom area. NPO 041-230.

Website: www.wnha.org.za                                                                      Chairman: Rupert Lawlor     083 227 9020    Email: chairman@wnha.org.za Secretary: Dr Carol Preston  083 701 4670    Email: secretary@wnha.org.za

 

 

 

 North West 

Greater Marico Heritage Group

Kedar Heritage Lodge 

Kedar encompasses a collection of unique historic buildings and offers a fascinating insight into Paul Kruger’s life at a time when South Africa was locked in a struggle for sovereignty with the British Empire

Website: www.kedar.co.za                                                                                       Email: kedaradmin@rali.co.za

Magaliesberg Association for Culture & Heritage 

MACH aims to disseminate and protect the culture and heritage of The Magaliesberg, from Pretoria to Rustenburg.

Website: www.magaliesbergheritage.co.za     Email: info@machbookings.co.za

 
Western Cape

Barry House on Riverton – Living Museum

Barry House on Riverton is a living museum where guests can stay over and step into a bygone era. Barry & Nephews mercantile enterprises brought economic prosperity to the Overberg in the 1800s by shipping wool, aloes and brandy to Cape Town and London from Port Beaufort. Highlights include a Barry & Nephews promissory note that was the forerunner to banks and the 1859 SS Kadie bell belonging to their steamship that could sail up the Breede River to Malgas. Guests can also view a collection of early 20th Century farming implements in a nearby shed.

Website: www.rivertonstud.co.za/heritage/                                                      Email: info@rivertonstud.co.za                                                                                      To Book: www.rivertonstud.co.za/accommodation/barry-house-on-riverton/                                                                                                                 Chairman: Duncan Barry                 Cell 082 335 8951                                                  Secretary: Natasha Barry                Cell 082 975 2243  

 

Cape Town Heritage Foundation 

The aim of the CTHF as a NGO is to create an awareness amongst our members and the general public for heritage preservation. This is done by means of regular postings on Facebook and Instagram. We also run a heritage blue plaque programme and regular outings to heritage sites. We are registered as a Heritage Body with HWC and the City of Cape Town and is a commenting body on NHRA applications (mainly article 34)

Website: www.cthf.co.za                                                                                           Email: info@cthf.co.za                                                                                        Chairman: Ian Pretorius       083 871 8198                        gpscstudio@gmail.com Admin: Lesley Cox            073 656 9469      lesley@capetownwalkingtours.com

 

Drakenstein Heritage Foundation

The Conservation of Paarl and surrounds’ built heritage.

Email: dhfheritage@gmail.com

Prince Albert Cultural Foundation ~ Kultuurstigting 

To conserve and improve the cultural life of the entire community of Prince Albert.

Email: paculturalfoundation@gmail.com

 

 

George Heritage Trust

 

 

Swellendam Heritage Association

NPO conserving & promoting heritage conservation in the Swellendam area.

Website: www.swellendamheritage.org.za                                                         Email: info@swellendamheritage.org.za                                                          Chairman: Derek Weightman       Email: derek@swellendamheritage.org.za Secretary: Susan Weightman       Email: susan@swellendamheritage.org.za

 

 

 

 

Tulbagh Valley Heritage Foundation 

Focuses on the pre-WWI built heritage of the Tulbagh Valley.

Email: jayson@cdq.co.za

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individual associates

H P Architects Helene Potgieter, hpa@mwebbiz.co.za

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2022/23 Council

The national council of the Heritage Association of South Africa is made up of elected representatives from across the country.

Prof Kathy Munro, chairperson (Johannesburg Heritage Foundation) / Daniel Smit (Drakenstein Heritage Foundation) / Carol Podd (Swellendam Heritage Association) / Beverley-Ann Small (Alberton Heritage Society) / Twin Mosia (Elandskop Museum) / Duncan Ballantyne (Mpumalanga Heritage) / Tony Burisch (Heidelberg Heritage Association) / Lauren Buchanan (Stellenbosch Heritage Foundation / Erfenis Stigting) / Dr Judy Maguire (Prince Albert Cultural Foundation) / Mike Benn (Magaliesberg Association for Culture & Heritage) / Petronel  Fourie (Middelburg Erfenis/Heritage) / Donald Davies (Durban Art Deco Society)