NOMINATING THE SALT RIVER RAILWAY INSTITUTE AS A PROVINCIAL HERITAGE SITE IN TERMS OF SECTION 27 OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN HERITAGE ACT 25 of 1999

The Salt River Heritage Society (SRHS) has been established to document and preserve the Heritage of the area, both in terms of its built environment, as well as its living heritage. Since its inception 2 years ago, the Society has embarked on several research projects to identify, document and preserve the heritage of the area, one of which is the Salt River Railway Institute and the broader Salt River Market area.

Due to its historical significance in terms of the genesis of the area and the formation and further development of the community over the past 150 years, the Salt River Heritage Society (SRHS) has designated the Salt River Railway Institute and the broader Salt River Market area as significant historical value, and are therefore nominating it to be declared a Provincial Heritage site in terms of Section 27 of the South African Heritage Act 25 of 1999.

The establishment of the first industrial site at Salt River in 1859 and the routing of the railway line and junction at Salt River are pivotal in terms of understanding the genesis of the area and the development of the community over more than a century. The built environment and the transformation of the Salt River community over the past 150 years has largely been affected by these developments and the Salt River Railway Institute and broader market area are historical symbols of these developments.

Additionally, the Railway Institute and the broader Salt River Market area has been an integral part of the living heritage of the Salt River Community over more than a century. Religious activities, sports events, political events and many other social activities occurred at these sites over many decades and the SRHS is currently in the process of researching and documenting the living heritage of these built environments, to further demonstrate its significance and value to the people of Salt River and greater Cape Town.

The SRHS are seeking the support of Salt River residents and community organisations to support our effort to nominate the Salt River Railway Institute and the broader Salt River Market area as a Provincial Heritage site.

We therefore humbly request that you sign the petition to nominate the Salt River Railway Institute and the broader Salt River Market area as a Provincial Heritage site in terms of Section 27 of the South African Heritage Act 25 of 1999.