Blaauwberg Nature Reserve declared as a Provincial Heritage Site

Blaauwberg Nature Reserve has been declared as a Heritage Site.

This site contains the archaeological remnants of three historical stock farms, namely Weberskraal, Meybooms Dam and a portion of Sleutel can Compagnies Dam, as well as the portion of outspan and farm of Blaauwbergvlei which served as outspan to the northern road and field hospital during the 1806 Battle of Blaauwberg.

The Blaauwberg Nature Reserve is also in possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of South Africa’s natural and cultural heritage. It conserves three indigenous vegetation: Cape Flats dune strandveld, now endangered; Swartland shale renosterveld, currently critically endangered and the Cape Flats sand Fynbos, also critically endangered.

The 1806 Battle Site is the only battlefield in the Western Cape where the site has remained undeveloped and the original topography is visible. It is the second, and last, battle of occupation to take place at the Cape of Good Hope between two “colonizing” powers.

The Western Cape’s Cultural Affairs and Sport MEC, Anroux Marais says the site lies in its historical nature, amplified by its socio-political and scientific significance.

“On the aesthetic front, Blaauwberg Hill and Kleinberg are landmarks within the cultural and natural landscape. There is an uninterrupted view from Blaauwberg Hill of Robben Island and Table Mountain, which are both World Heritage Sites. This makes it the only place in Cape Town where two World Heritage Sites can be viewed simultaneously, which I am sure would be a TikTokker’s delight in a bid to uncover unknown gems to share with the world of social media”.

COURTESY: WCG - From left: Ward Councillor: Nora Grose; Chairperson of Heritage Western Cape Interpretation Grading and Inventories Committee: Ron Martin; Chairperson of the Heritage Western Cape Council: Adv. Mandla Mdludlu; Minister Anroux Marais; Blaauwberg Nature Reserve Manager: Koos Retief and City of Cape Town Director for Environmental Management Department: Lorraine Gerrans.        


 Done By: Mitchum George

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