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PHASE 1 HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF THE MADIBENG MANOR TOWNSHIP ON CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THE FARM HARTEBEESPOORT C 419-JQ, IN THE VICINITY OF BRITS, NORTH WEST PROVINCE Compiled for: ARCHAEOLOGY AFRICA CC ECOLOGICAFRIKA Tel: 012 332 5305 Tel: 012 661 4863 Fax: 012 332 2625 Fax: 012 661 5251 Cell: 082 717 6661 E-mail: [email protected] Developer: MADIBENG MANOR (PTY) LTD Compiled by: P.D. BIRKHOLTZ PO BOX 718 HARTEBEESPOORT Date: 27 APRIL 2007 0216 ARCHAEOLOGY AFRICA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Archaeology Africa was appointed by EcologicAfrika to undertake a Phase 1 Heritage Impact Assessment for the proposed development of the Madibeng Manor Township situated on Portions 1055, 1060, 1061, 1062, 1064, 1065, 1066 and 1067 of the farm Hartebeespoort C 419-JQ as well as Portion 1 of the farm Boekenhout in the vicinity of Brits, North West Province. The developer for the project is Madibeng Manor (Pty) Ltd. This study forms part of the Basic Assessment Report in terms of the new Environmental Regulations. During the study one heritage sites was identified. The site consists primarily of rectangular stone structures and appears to represent a historic settlement. The significance of the site was established and mitigation recommendations made (refer Section 4.2). On the condition that the recommendations made in this report are adhered to, the development may be allowed to continue. PHASE 1 HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON THE CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THE FARM HARTEBEESPOORT C 419-JQ 1 ARCHAEOLOGY AFRICA TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. PROJECT BACKGROUND ........................................................................................ 3 2. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA AND PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT ................................. 3 2.1 STUDY AREA ......................................................................................................... 3 2.2 PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT .......................................................................................... 3 3. METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................... 4 3.1 DESKTOP STUDY .................................................................................................... 5 3.2 SITE VISIT ................................................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. 3.3 CONSULTING WITH LOCAL INTERESTED AND/OR AFFECTED PARTIES ........................................ 6 3.4 ASPECTS REGARDING VISIBILITY AND CONSTRAINTS .......................................................... 6 4. FINDINGS............................................................................................................ 7 4.1 DESKTOP STUDY FINDINGS ........................................................................................ 7 4.1.1 History of the Bob van Reenen Stadium .............................................................. 7 4.1.2 History of sport at the grounds .......................................................................... 7 4.2 FINDINGS FROM SOCIAL CONSULTATION ............................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. 4.3 FIELDWORK FINDINGS ............................................................................................ 11 4.3.1 The George VI Coronation Grandstand .............................................................. 12 4.3.2 The Western Entrance Gate ................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.3.3 The Coronation Park ............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. 5. AN EVALUATION OF THE HERITAGE IMPACT ON THE DEVELOPMENT RELATIVE TO THE SUSTAINABLE SOCIO-ECONOMIC BENEFITS FROM THE DEVELOPMENT.ERROR! BOOKMARK N 6. CONCLUSIONS AND GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONSERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. ANNEXURES Annexure A Legislative Framework PHASE 1 HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON THE CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THE FARM HARTEBEESPOORT C 419-JQ 2 ARCHAEOLOGY AFRICA 1. PROJECT BACKGROUND Archaeology Africa was appointed by EcologicAfrika to undertake a Phase 1 Heritage Impact Assessment for the proposed development of the Madibeng Manor Township situated on Portions 1055, 1060, 1061, 1062, 1064, 1065, 1066 and 1067 of the farm Hartebeespoort C 419-JQ as well as Portion 1 of the farm Boekenhout in the vicinity of Brits, North West Province. The developer for the project is Madibeng Manor (Pty) Ltd. This study forms part of the Basic Assessment Report in terms of the new Environmental Regulations. 2. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA AND PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT 2.1 Study Area The study area consists of Portions 1055, 1060, 1061, 1062, 1064, 1065, 1066 and 1067 of the farm Hartebeespoort C 419-JQ as well as Portion 1 of the farm Boekenhout. It is situated to the north of Brits and directly south of Lethlabile, with its western boundary defined by the Brits-Lethlabile road. The area is slightly undulating with very sandy soil. The vegetation can be described as typically bushveld consisting of both reasonably open grassland and dense woodland. Although the development area can be described as reasonably undisturbed, various man-made disturbances to the landscape were observed. These include a large quarry in the south-western corner of the study area, agricultural lands along the eastern end of the development area as well as a number of excavated waterholes. 2.2 Proposed Development Madibeng Manor will consist of a complete new township with primarily residential (6,200 stands of about 300m²), but also commercial, light industrial, institutional (schools, churches, community centre), and sports and recreational facilities. The residential components will consist of a security estate around a large dam in the central east, affordable stands on the majority of the site, and RDP houses (low cost) in the north- east. Two access roads will be provided into the township, with a link to the church property north of the application site. The quarry in the south-western corner of the site will be utilised for the water and sewer purification plants. Refer Annexure E for the Madibeng Manor Layout Plan. PHASE 1 HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON THE CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THE FARM HARTEBEESPOORT C 419-JQ 3 ARCHAEOLOGY AFRICA Plate 1 General view inside the study area. Plate 2 Man-made waterholes such as this one are found all over the study area. PHASE 1 HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON THE CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THE FARM HARTEBEESPOORT C 419-JQ 4 ARCHAEOLOGY AFRICA Plate 3 This large quarry is situated in the south-western corner of the study area. 3. METHODOLOGY 3.1 Desktop Study The primary aim of the desktop study is to compile as much available information as possible on the heritage resources of the area. Such a study also helps in providing historical context for any sites that are located. The desktop investigation focussed on the study of archival documents and maps. The following institutions were visited to compile data: • UNISA Library, Pretoria • National Archives, Pretoria 3.2 Field Surveys The field surveys took place on Thursday, 19 April 2007; Saturday, 21 April 2007; Sunday, 22 April 2007 and Monday, 23 April 2007. PHASE 1 HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON THE CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THE FARM HARTEBEESPOORT C 419-JQ 5 ARCHAEOLOGY AFRICA All located sites were briefly documented. This documentation includes photographs (where possible) and descriptions as to the nature and condition of the located material. A hand-held Global Positioning System (Garmin Summit, set to datum WGS84) was used to obtain site coordinates. The located site was given a unique individual number, namely HBP-1. The acronym used as part of the numbering system was derived from the farm name, in this case Hartebeespoort. 3.3 Consulting with Local Interested and/or Affected Parties A public participation process is in the process of being undertaken by EcologicAfrika. This process consists of newspaper notices, site notices and site meetings and is aimed at providing Interested and Affected Parties with the opportunity to raise any concerns, issues or objections to the proposed development. No concerns with regard to heritage has as of yet been raised. The author of this report also conversed with the following landowners and residents of the area: • Mr. Jan Fourie • Mr. and Mrs. (Sylvia) Mahapa • Mr. Hans Vorster • Mr. Jakkie Pretorius • Mr. Joseph Twala 3.4 Aspects regarding Visibility and Constraints Not subtracting in any way from the comprehensiveness of the fieldwork undertaken, it is necessary to realise that the heritage resources located during the fieldwork do not necessarily represent all the heritage resources located there. This may be due to various reasons, including the subterranean nature of some archaeological sites and dense vegetation cover. As such, should any heritage features and/or objects not included in the present inventory be located or observed, a heritage specialist must immediately be contacted. Such observed or located heritage features and/or objects may not be disturbed or removed in any way until such time that the heritage specialist has been able to make an assessment as to the significance of the site (or material) in question. This is true for graves and cemeteries as well. PHASE 1 HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON THE CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THE FARM HARTEBEESPOORT C 419-JQ 6 ARCHAEOLOGY AFRICA 4. FINDINGS 4.1 Desktop Study Findings 4.1.1 Cartographic Findings 4.1.1.1 ‘Pretoria’ sheet of the Major Jackson Map Series, June 1902 Figure 1 depicts the ‘Pretoria’ sheet of the Major Jackson Map Series compiled by the Field Intelligence Department during the Anglo Boer War