The Heritage Portal

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The Heritage Portal

We publish regular articles, book reviews & notices to get South Africans interested & excited about their history.

We also maintain South Africa's blue plaque database and curate a directory of organisations operating in the heritage sector.

19/12/2024

"I cringe at the thought of how much valuable imagery has been destroyed or is still being destroyed by simply tossing it in the rubbish/recycling bin or burning it.

Fortunately, one such image has survived destruction – a school tour photograph from more than 100 years ago."

Carol Hardijzer

https://www.theheritageportal.co.za/article/abandoned-photograph-significance-groot-spelonken-school-journey-july-1916

12/12/2024

Who was the Roger behind the Jolly Roger?

https://www.theheritageportal.co.za/article/who-was-roger-behind-jolly-roger

The Jolly Roger is a famous pub on 4th Street in Parkhurst, Johannesburg. I’m sure many readers have enjoyed its beer and pizza but very few people know the origin story of this local institution.

09/12/2024

Johannesburg Mayor's Office to move to the old Albert Street Pass Office

https://www.theheritageportal.co.za/article/johannesburg-mayors-office-move-old-albert-street-pass-office

In a significant move that combines historical significance with urban renewal, the Office of the Mayor of Johannesburg has committed to using the old Pass Office at 80 Albert Street as its new administrative headquarters. This was the building where a devastating fire killed 77 people in 2023.

05/12/2024

Congratulations to the Durban Art Deco Society

https://www.theheritageportal.co.za/article/preserving-durbans-art-deco-heritage-peter-louis-award-recognises-durban-art-deco-society

The Peter Louis Award, established in 2004 by the Architectural Heritage Committee of the South African Institute of Architects – KwaZulu Natal, celebrates contributions to conserving the built environment.

In 2024, the award was presented to the Durban Art Deco Society (DADS) in recognition of their 25-year commitment to preserving Durban's architectural heritage.

Collage pics via Alison Chadwick

22/11/2024

A good news story from Joburg. The resurrection of the Dragon Pillar

https://www.theheritageportal.co.za/article/resurrection-dragon-pillar

In 2011, a pair of dragon pillars carved from granite were erected at the entrance of Johannesburg’s first Chinatown on Commissioner Street in Ferreirastown. Tragedy struck in 2020 when one of the columns was knocked down by a runaway Rea Vaya bus. The pillar suffered devastating damage, with the head of the dragon decapitated but thankfully still in one piece which was kept safely...

21/11/2024

Track some of the developments in the Johannesburg Art Gallery saga here...

https://www.theheritageportal.co.za/thread/johannesburg-art-gallery

14/11/2024

SJ de Klerk goes on a journey to find the lost graves of the Jameson Raiders.

https://www.theheritageportal.co.za/article/lost-graves-jameson-raiders

"Even in the age of imperial chicanery, the audacity of the Jameson Raid was astounding. Imagine, two sizeable groups of well-armed mounted men, departing from Pitsane in present-day Botswana and Mafeking (now Mahikeng), respectively, at sunset on 29 December 1895, for a three-day canter to Johannesburg to overthrow Kruger’s government and proclaim it a colony of the British Empire."

07/10/2024

The founder of now, Mastertons Coffee and Tea Specialists, Ronald John “Jock” Masterton was born on 13 November 1897. He came to South Africa from Scotland in 1920 at the age of 23 after serving as an officer in the Black Watch regiment during the First World War. He knew he was going to fall in...

25/09/2024

Re-imagining the Planetarium as the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome

https://www.theheritageportal.co.za/article/re-imagining-planetarium-wits-anglo-american-digital-dome

This exciting adaptive reuse project blends history with cutting-edge technology.

Discover how architects are reimagining this landmark for the 21st century.

Read the full article by Kate Otten and William Martinson to learn about the planetarium's fascinating history and its bright future as a hub for education, innovation, and community engagement.

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