The South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) announced that eight sites from District Six have been given national heritage status and will now fall under the unique protection in terms of the National Heritage Resources Act.
The announcement was gazetted by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture on 31 March, declaring these eight sights as part of the first phase of areas within District Six that will be declared National Heritage Sites.
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The gazette read: ‘District Six, the once vibrant multi-cultural residential heart of Cape Town, was ripped out by forcing more than 60 000 people from the economic centre and relocating a whole community to the Cape Flats, an area devoid of opportunity located at the periphery of the city.
‘District Six is considered to possess the national heritage value of “telling a national history of forced removals.” District Six constitutes a previously neglected memory of the history of South Africa that is to be used as part of the reconstruction and healing of the nation, a memory closely guarded and kept alive by the former residents and celebrated and passed on through various means, such as the arts, schools and religious centres that remained.”
The significance of the declaration, according to the gazette, are three-fold. First is the acknowledgement that the land was stolen from its rightful residents. The second is to honour the resistance and struggle of residents who prevented the redevelopment of the land to serve the Apartheid government. Lastly, this declaration serves as a means for reconciliation and restoration of District Six’s cultural heart back into the once vibrant community.
These are the eight landmarks of District Six:
The Seven Steps
The Seven Steps remains one of the main symbols to represent the diversity and inclusivity that existed within the community of District Six.
After so many years after its destruction, the Seven Steps still lives in the hearts of all who lived, loved, played and worked in the ‘District’.
Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church
The holy Cross Congregation is a religious congregation under the Catholic Church founded in Switzerland in 1849. Even through hardships such as the displacement and destruction of the District Six community, the school produced priests, religious brothers and sisters renowned across the Cape.
Moravian Church
The Moravian Church has a deep history in South Africa as the first church to have a mission station in South Africa when Georg Schmidt arrived in 1737 to begin his work in Baviaanskloof, now Genadendal. The Moravian Chapel previously located in Russell Road, known as Moravian Hill, was built in 1886 and consecrated 25 September 1886 became the first urban Moravian congregation.
Zeenatul-Islam Masjid
Zeenatul-Islaam Masjid, also known as Muir Street Masjid, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2020. The pioneers of this mosque arrived as immigrants from the state of Gujarat, India in the late 19th and early 20th century and settled in District Six. Collectively these immigrants came to be referred to as Kanamias, who later formed the Kanamia Moslem League to oversee the affairs of the masjid that would replace the jamaat khaana (prayer room) that initially stood at 33 Muir Street.
Al-Azhar Mosque
Al-Azhar Mosque represents the oldest mosque in District Six, in Aspeling Street, founded in 1887. Imam Kassiem Gamieldien served as the first Imam of the masjid. The mosque still functions to this day and serves as a memorial to the community of District Six.
Trafalgar High School
Trafalgar High School remains as synonymous with the fight against apartheid. It was opened in 1912 as the first state high school for people of colour. The school was established due to the efforts of Dr Abdurahman, President of the African People’s Organisation and Harold Cressy.
Harold Cressy School
The school represents resistance to apartheid laws and association to the public memory of forced removals, segregation and academic excellence. Previously known as Hewat College, it was the first coloured tertiary institution and provided a focus of intellectual resistance to white segregation. It was renamed in honour of Mr Harold Cressy who had overcome formidable disadvantages and overwhelming odds in his pursuit of academic excellence and in his dedication to community service.
Jewish Cemetery
The Jewish Cemetery displays high historical and social significance and is a testament to the role, history and legacy of the Jewish community in District Six. The Cape Town Hebrew Congregation was formed in 1841 and the following year, two plots of land in Woodstock was bought.
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