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HERITAGE IMPACT WALKDOWN REPORT
Heritage Impact Walkdown Report for the Construction of a Substation and 132kV Power Line from Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers, Free state Province.
Prepared By:
Prepared For:
i Substation and 132kV Powerline: Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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CREDIT SHEET
Project Director STEPHAN GAIGHER (BA Hons, Archaeology, UP) Principal Investigator for G&A Heritage Member of ASAPA (Site Director Status) Tel: (015) 516 1561 Cell: 073 752 6583 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.gaheritage.co.za
Report Author STEPHAN GAIGHER
Disclaimer; This report is a first phase heritage investigation into the heritage sensitivity of the area demarcated for the project. The report is meant to be a guide for further fieldwork and is not meant to be totally encompassing. Information is derived solely from published works.
Statement of Independence As the duly appointed representative of G&A Heritage, I Stephan Gaigher, hereby confirm my independence as a specialist and declare that neither I nor G&A Heritage have any interests, be it business or otherwise, in any proposed activity, application or appeal in respect of which the Environmental Consultant was appointed as Environmental Assessment Practitioner, other than fair remuneration for work performed on this project. I also; ü acted as the independent specialist in this application; ü regard the information contained in this report as it relates to my specialist input/study to be true and correct, and ü do not have and will not have any financial interest in the undertaking of the activity, other than remuneration for work performed in terms of the NEMA, the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010 and any specific environmental management Act; ü have and will not have no vested interest in the proposed activity proceeding; ü have disclosed, to the applicant, EAP and competent authority, any material information that have or may have the potential to influence the decision of the competent authority or the objectivity of any report, plan or document required in terms of the NEMA, the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010 and any specific environmental management Act; ü am fully aware of and meet the responsibilities in terms of NEMA, the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010 (specifically in terms of regulation 17 of GN No. R. 543) and any specific environmental management Act, and that failure to comply with these requirements may constitute and result in disqualification;
Substation and 132kV Powerline: ii Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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ü have ensured that information containing all relevant facts in respect of the specialist input/study was distributed or made available to interested and affected parties and the public and that participation by interested and affected parties was facilitated in such a manner that all interested and affected parties were provided with a reasonable opportunity to participate and to provide comments on the specialist input/study; ü have ensured that the comments of all interested and affected parties on the specialist input/study were considered, recorded and submitted to the competent authority in respect of the application; ü have ensured that the names of all interested and affected parties that participated in terms of the specialist input/study were recorded in the register of interested and affected parties who participated in the public participation process; ü have provided the competent authority with access to all information at my disposal regarding the application, whether such information is favourable to the applicant or not; and ü am aware that a false declaration is an offence in terms of regulation 71 of GN No. R. 543.
SIGNED OFF BY: STEPHAN GAIGHER
Substation and 132kV Powerline: iii Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Executive SUMMARY
Site name and location: Heritage Walkdown Report for the Construction of a Substation and 132kV Power lLine from Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
Developer: Eskom Distribution SOC Ltd, Free State Operating Unit
Consultant: G&A Heritage, PO Box 522, Louis Trichardt, 0920, South Africa. 38A Vorster St, Louis Trichardt, 0920
Date of Report: 19 Junie 2017
The purpose of the management summary is to distil the information contained in the report into a format that can be used to give specific results quickly and facilitate management decisions. It is not the purpose of the management summary to repeat in shortened format all the information contained in the report, but rather to give a statement of results for decision making purposes.
This study encompasses the heritage walkdown. A preliminary layout has been supplied to lead this phase of this study.
The project is for the proposed construction of a substation and a single 132kV power line. The power line will be approximately 95km in length and will consist of four main sections that will connect to four existing substations and one newly proposed substation via a loop-in loop-out connection. The four existing substations include Frankfort Municipal Substation, Windfield Rural Substation, Villiers Municipal Substation and Heilbron Municipal Substation. The newly proposed substation will be located near to the existing Tweefort Rural Substation. The proposed power lines therefore are not separate power lines but rather connecting lines between the existing substations and the newly proposed substation along the greater power line network. The registered servitude width will be 31 metres (15.5 metres either side of the centre line). The four main sections of power lines include the following:
Proposed construction of a power line from Heilbron Substation to the newly proposed Tweefort Substation near Tweefort Rural Substation (approximately 40km in length);
Proposed construction of a power line from Tweefort Substation to Frankfort Municipal Substation (approximately 25km in length);
Proposed construction of a power line from Frankfort Municipal Substation to Windfield Rural Substation (approximately 15km); and
Proposed construction of a power line from Windfield Rural Substation to Villiers Substation (approximately 15km).
Scope of Work The undertaking of a heritage final walk-down assessment on the authorized power line route and new Tweefort substation position.
Findings Although some sites of heritage significance were identified, these can easily be avoided during the construction phase by taking cognizance of their position.
Fatal Flaws No fatal flaws were identified. Substation and 132kV Powerline: iv Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ...... 9
Legislation and History of Archaeological Research ...... 9
Background Information ...... 11
Proposed Construction of a Substation and 132kV Power Line from Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers. 11
Site Location ...... 12
Regional Cultural Context ...... 22
Paleontology ...... 22
Stone Age ...... 22
Iron Age ...... 22
The Historic Era ...... 23
Previous Studies ...... 25
Historical Maps ...... 26
Results of the Historical Map Survey ...... 39
Results of the Walkdown ...... 44
Analysis of Previous Study ...... 44
Site 1 ...... 44
Site 2 ...... 45
Current Findings ...... 46
Site 3 ...... 46
Site 4 ...... 46
Site 5 ...... 47
Anticipated Impacts ...... 48
IMPACTS DURING CONSTRUCTION PHASE ...... 48
Impacts to Pre-Colonial and Colonial Archaeology ...... 48
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Impacts to the Built Environment ...... 48
Impacts to Cemeteries and Graves ...... 48
Impacts to the Cultural Landscape ...... 48
Resource Management Recommendations ...... 48
References Cited and Consulted ...... 50
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Figure 1. Final layout of power line pylons ...... 13
Figure 2. Topographical Map 2727 BD 2007 ...... 14
Figure 3. Topographical Map 2728 AC 2004 (1) ...... 14
Figure 4. Topographical Map 2728 AC 2004 (2) ...... 15
Figure 5. Topographical Map 2728 AC 2004 (3) ...... 16
Figure 6. Topographical Map 2728 AD 2004 (1) ...... 17
Figure 7. Topographical Map 2728 AD 2004 (2) ...... 17
Figure 8. Topographical Map 2728 AD 2004 (3) ...... 18
Figure 9. Topographical Map 2728 BC 2004 ...... 19
Figure 10. Topographical Map 2728 BA 2005 (1) ...... 20
Figure 11. Topographical Map 2728 BA 2005 (2) ...... 21
Figure 12. Historic building in Heilbron ...... 24
Figure 13. Historic Church ...... 24
Figure 14. Topographical Map 2727 BD 1997 ...... 26
Figure 15. Topographical Map 2727 BD 1976 ...... 27
Figure 16. Topographical Map 2728 AC 1976 (1) ...... 28
Figure 17. Topographical Map 2728 AC 1976 (2) ...... 28
Figure 18. Topographical Map 2728 AC 1976 (3) ...... 29
Figure 19. Topographical Map 2728 AD 1987 (1) ...... 30
Figure 20. Topographical Map 2728 AD 1987 (2) ...... 31
Figure 21. Topographical Map 2728 AD 1987 (3) ...... 31
Figure 22. Topographical Map 2728 AD 1964 (1) ...... 32
Figure 23. Topographical Map 2728 AD 1964 (2) ...... 32
Figure 24. Topographical Map 2728 AD 1964 (3) ...... 33
Figure 25. Topographical Map 2728 BC 1980 ...... 34
Figure 26. Topographical Map 2728 BC 1969 ...... 35
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Figure 27. Topographical Map 2728 BA 1980 (1) ...... 36
Figure 28. Topographical Map 2728 BA 1980 (2) ...... 37
Figure 29. Topographical Map 2728 BA 1966 (1) ...... 38
Figure 30. Topographical Map 2728 BA 1966 (2) ...... 39
Figure 31. Location of Cemetery 1 and 2 in relation to the power line (red) . 40
Figure 32. Location of Ruins 1, 2 and Grave 1 in relation to the power line (red) 41
Figure 33. Location of Grave 2, Rock Paintings, Grave 3, Ruins 3 and Grave 4 in relation to the power line (red) ...... 42
Figure 34. Location of Cemetery 3, Ruins 4 and Cemetery 4 in relation to the power line (red) 43
Figure 35. Location of Ruins 5, 6 and 7 in relation to the power line (red) .... 44
Figure 36. Small cemetery ...... 45
Figure 37. Extended Graveyard ...... 45
Figure 38. Stone cairn at Site 3 ...... 46
Figure 39. Possible grave site ...... 47
Figure 40. Possible graveyard ...... 47
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Chapter 1 Background
Heritage Impact Assessment Heritage Walkdown for the Construction of a Substation and 132kV Power Line from Heilbron (via Frankfoft) to Villiers. Introduction Legislation and History of Archaeological Research In South Africa cultural heritage is protected under the National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA) no 25 of 1999.
Section 38(1) of the South African Heritage Resources Act (25 of 1999) requires that a heritage study is undertaken for:
(a) Construction of a road, wall, power line, pipeline, canal or other similar form of linear development or barrier exceeding 300 m in length; (b) Construction of a bridge or similar structure exceeding 50 m in length; and (c) Any development, or other activity which will change the character of an area of land, or water – (1) Exceeding 10 000 m2 in extent; (2) Involving three or more existing erven or subdivisions thereof; or (3) Involving three or more erven, or subdivisions thereof, which have been consolidated within the past five years; or (d) The costs of which will exceed a sum set in terms of regulations; or (e) Any other category of development provided for in regulations.
While the above describes the parameters of developments that fall under this Act., Section 38 (8) of the NHRA is applicable to this development. This section states that;
(8) The provisions of this section do not apply to a development as described in subsection (1) if an evaluation of the impact of such development on heritage resources is required in terms of the Environment Conservation Act, 1989 (Act 73 of 1989), or the integrated environmental management guidelines issued by the Department of Environment Affairs and Tourism, or the Minerals Act, 1991 (Act 50 of 1991), or any other legislation: Provided that the consenting authority must ensure that the evaluation fulfils the requirements of the relevant heritage resources authority in terms of subsection (3), and any comments and recommendations of the relevant heritage resources authority with regard to such development have been taken into account prior to the granting of the consent.
In regards to a development such as this that falls under Section 38 (8) of the NHRA, the requirements of Section 38 (3) applies to the subsequent reporting, stating that;
(3) The responsible heritage resources authority must specify the information to be provided in a report required in terms of subsection (2) (a): Provided that the following must be included: (a) The identification and mapping of all heritage resources in the area affected; (b) An assessment of the significance of such resources in terms of the heritage assessment criteria set out in section 6 (2) or prescribed under section 7; (c) An assessment of the impact of the development on such heritage resources; 9 Substation and 132kV Powerline: Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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(d) An evaluation of the impact of the development on heritage resources relative to the sustainable social and economic benefits to be derived from the development; (e) The results of consultation with communities affected by the proposed development and other interested parties regarding the impact of the development on heritage resources; (f) If heritage resources will be adversely affected by the proposed development, the consideration of alternatives; and (g) Plans for mitigation of any adverse effects during and after the completion of the proposed development. (1) Ancestral graves, (2) Royal graves and graves of traditional leaders, (3) Graves of victims of conflict (iv) graves of important individuals, (4) Historical graves and cemeteries older than 60 years, and (5) Other human remains which are not covered under the Human Tissues Act, 1983 (Act No.65 of 1983 as amended); (h) Movable objects, including ; (1) Objects recovered from the soil or waters of South Africa including archaeological and paleontological objects and material, meteorites and rare geological specimens; (2) Ethnographic art and objects; (3) Military objects; (4) Objects of decorative art; (5) Objects of fine art; (6) Objects of scientific or technological interest; (7) Books, records, documents, photographic positives and negatives, graphic, film or video material or sound recordings; and (8) Any other prescribed categories, but excluding any object made by a living person; (i) Battlefields; (j) Traditional building techniques.
A ‘place’ is defined as: (a) A site, area or region; (b) A building or other structure (which may include equipment, furniture, fittings and articles associated with or connected with such building or other structure); (c) A group of buildings or other structures (which may include equipment, furniture, fittings and articles associated with or connected with such group of buildings or other structures); and (d) an open space, including a public square, street or park; and in relation to the management of a place, includes the immediate surroundings of a place.
‘Structures’ means any building, works, device, or other facility made by people and which is fixed to land and any fixtures, fittings and equipment associated therewith older than 60 years.
‘Archaeological’ means: (a) Material remains resulting from human activity which are in a state of disuse and are in or on land and are older than 100 years, including artefacts, human and hominid remains and artificial features and structures; (b) Rock art, being a form of painting, engraving or other graphic representation on a fixed rock surface or loose rock or stone, which was executed by human agency and is older than 100 years including any area within 10 m of such representation; and (c) Wrecks, being any vessel or aircraft, or any part thereof, which was wrecked in South Africa, whether on land or in the maritime cultural zone referred to in section 5 of the Maritime Zones Act 1994 (Act 15 of 1994), and any cargo, debris or artefacts found or associated therewith, which are older than 60 years or which in terms of national legislation are considered to be worthy of conservation; (d) Features, structures and artefacts associated with military history which are older than 75 years and the sites on which they are found.
‘Paleontological’ means any fossilised remains or fossil trace of animals or plants which lived in the geological past, other than fossil fuels or fossiliferous rock intended for industrial use, and any site which contains such fossilised remains or trace.
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‘Grave’ means a place of interment and includes the contents, headstone or other marker of and any other structures on or associated with such place. The South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) will only issue a permit for the alteration of a grave if it is satisfied that every reasonable effort has been made to contact and obtain permission from the families concerned.
The removal of graves is subject to the following procedures as outlined by the SAHRA: - Notification of the impending removals (using English, Afrikaans and local language media and notices at the grave site); - Consultation with individuals or communities related or known to the deceased; - Satisfactory arrangements for the curation of human remains and / or headstones in a museum, where applicable; - Procurement of a permit from the SAHRA; - Appropriate arrangements for the exhumation (preferably by a suitably trained archaeologist) and re-interment (sometimes by a registered undertaker, in a formally proclaimed cemetery); - Observation of rituals or ceremonies required by the families.
The limitations and assumptions associated with this heritage impact assessment are as follows; - Field investigations were performed on foot and by vehicle where access was readily available. - Sites were evaluated by means of description of the cultural landscape, direct observations and analysis of written sources and available databases. - It was assumed that the site layout as provided by Trans-Africa Projects (Pty) Ltd is accurate. - We assumed that the public participation process performed as part of the EIA process was sufficiently encompassing not to be repeated in the Heritage Assessment Phase.
Background Information
Proposed Construction of a Substation and 132kV Power Line from Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers. The project is for the proposed construction of a substation and a single 132kV power line. The proposed power line will be approximately 95km in length. The proposed power line will consist of four main sections of power line that will connect to three existing substations via a loop-in / loop-out connection. These three existing substations include Tweefort Substation, Frankfort Municipal Substation and Windfield Rural Substation. The power lines therefore are not separate power lines but rather connecting lines between the existing substations along the greater power line network. The registered servitude width is 31 metres (15.5 metres either side of the centre line). The four main sections of power lines include the following: • Proposed construction of a power line from Heilbron Substation to Tweefort Substation (situated on Portion 1 of the farm Leeuw 162) (approximately 40km in length); • Proposed construction of a power line from Tweefort Substation to Frankfort Municipal Substation (approximately 25km in length); • Proposed construction of a power line from Frankfort Municipal Substation to Windfield Rural Substation (situated on the farm Wanner 1248) (approximately 15km); and • Proposed construction of a power line from Windfield Rural Substation to Villiers Substation (approximately 15km).
Tower Types The tower types that are to be used will vary in relationship between the structure, the terrain to be traversed, ground clearance requirements, geology, etc. The tower types consist of the following: • Mono-pole guyed intermediate suspension structures; • Mono-pole self-supporting intermediate suspension structures; • Mono-pole angle suspension structures; • Mono-pole strain structures; • H-Pole structures; and • 3 Pole strain structures.
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Proposed Substations The substation will occupy an area of approximately 100m x 100m. The specifications of the substation will include the following:
• Install 132kV busbar (to accommodate 2 x 132kV feeder bays and 2 x transformer bays); • Install 2 x 132kV feeder bays; • Install 1 x 5MVA complete transformer bay; • Make provision for additional transformer for future growth; • Install 22kV busbar (to accommodate 2 x transformer bays and 5 x 22kV feeder bays); • Install 4 x 22kV feeder bays; • Make provision for additional 22kV feeder bay for future growth; • Build a new control room; • Add yard stones; • Build a new access road; • Install 2 x 14m lightning masts and equip with lights; and • Fence off the substation servitude.
Site Location The study area is located within the Free State Province. The proposed power lines traverse two local municipal areas. These include the Ngwathe Local Municipality and the Mafube Local Municipality. The proposed power lines fall within the greater Fezile Dabe District Municipality. The proposed power line originates from the town of Heilbron and routes eastwards to Frankfort where it then deviates to the north at Villiers. The proposed power line follows on or near to the R34 and the R26. The landscape is predominantly rural in character. Land uses for the greater part of the proposed power line encompass agricultural farming activities. Commercial and residential land uses can be found in the towns of Heilbron, Frankfort and Villiers.
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 12 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Figure 1. Final layout of power line pylons
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Figure 2. Topographical Map 2727 BD 2007
Figure 3. Topographical Map 2728 AC 2004 (1)
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Figure 4. Topographical Map 2728 AC 2004 (2)
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Figure 5. Topographical Map 2728 AC 2004 (3)
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Figure 6. Topographical Map 2728 AD 2004 (1)
Figure 7. Topographical Map 2728 AD 2004 (2)
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Figure 8. Topographical Map 2728 AD 2004 (3)
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Figure 9. Topographical Map 2728 BC 2004
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Figure 10. Topographical Map 2728 BA 2005 (1)
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Figure 11. Topographical Map 2728 BA 2005 (2)
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Chapter 2 Project Resources
Heritage Indicators within the receiving Environment Regional Cultural Context Paleontology The rocks of the Bushveld Igneous Complex are non-fossiliferous and are of no palaeontological concern. No fossils have been reported from the study area and the probability of fossils occurring in the Tertiary to Quaternary aeolian sand and soils in the study area is very low. These sediments are correlated with the Kalahari Group sediments. The fossils reported from Kalahari Group sediments are very sparse, occur sporadically and are low in diversity. Although no fossils have been reported for the study area, fossils such as root casts, burrows, termitaria, ostrich egg shells, mollusc shells and isolated bones have been discovered in the Kalahari Group elsewhere (Almond & Pether 2008).
Stone Age Traces of human presence in the central interior of South Africa reach back to over 500 000 years ago. The Free State has a rich prehistory, which continually draws scientific interest. For instance, the internationally known fossil hominid site, Florisbad, is mentioned in all research dealing with the evolution of Homo sapiens. Other stone age inhabitants of the Free State left behind the evidence of their daily activities, as well as, later, their spiritual beliefs in the form of rock art. In the last 2000 years, Khoi herders and Iron Age farmers moved into the landscape and established themselves, leaving behind their distinctive traces. In the last 200 years European settlers moved into the area, and demarcated the boundaries of what we call the Free State today (Henderson, Z. 2003).
The archaeology of the Free State attests to human occupation of the area since the Early Stone Age (in the Free State possibly as long ago as 800 000 years). Very few of these early sites have been recorded, but an example would be the Middle Pleistocene site of Cornelia, which has produced a rich array of animal fossils, as well as a hominid molar. The other well-known hominid site, Florisbad, is also one of the two most intensively studied Middle Stone Age sites in the Free State, the other being Rose Cottage Cave near Ladybrand. Both are declared National Monuments (Government Gazettes 17457 & 19719 respectively) (2003, State of the Environment Report).
Many Later Stone Age sites in the Free State have not been intensively studied, apart from those which are now covered by the Gariep and Van der Kloof dams. These were recorded in a survey in the 1960s (Sampson, 1972). Three of the type-sites, which gave their names to Stone Age industries, are found in the Free State (viz. Fauresmith, Lockshoek and Smithfield). Rock art sites, which can be either rock engravings or rock paintings, are found throughout the Free State. Some of these sites are well maintained, and five are declared National Monuments. Not many Khoi sites are known and this area is largely under-researched.
Iron Age Huffman (2007) explains that in areas devoid of trees Central Cattle Pattern (CCP) communities often turned to building in stone to mark internal and external social boundaries. Because of the need for stone, settlements are often located close to, or on rocky outcrops. Typically a rubble core fills the space between outer walls. CCP homesteads are characteristically similar in that animal enclosures form a circle around a central open space, or alternatively cattle are kept in a single central kraal. Adult cattle stayed in large enclosures and calves in smaller kraals with the number of adult kraals reflecting the number of cattle owing families living in the homestead. The central open space was used for milking,
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slaughter and meetings. In addition, he explains that the walls of these settlements act as water traps and therefore support dense vegetation, and often much denser than at the time of occupation.
In South Africa CCP communities are divided into 2 clusters namely the Moor Park Cluster and the Ntsuanatsatsi Cluster (Huffman 2007; Maggs 1976; Mitchell 2002).
1. The Moor Park Cluster: The oldest known CCP walling occurs in the Midlands of Natal and dates to the 14th-16th Centuries characterized by Moor Park walling (and beehive huts), which partially served defensive purposes. From here some Nguni groups moved up to the plateau where they built walls on top of defensive hilltops in a manner very similar to Moor Park. These Transvaal Ndebele settled throughout the Transvaal during the 17th-18th Century and their settlement clusters are often referred to as Melora type walling (associated with beehive huts). A 3rd related variant occurs in Mpumalanga and constitutes the KwaMaza stonewalled settlements of the Ndzundza Ndebele (again associated with beehive huts).
2. The Nsuanatsatsi Cluster: The oldest walling of this cluster occurs near Nsuanatsatsi Hill in the Free State province and is called Type N after the legendary place of origin of the Fokeng cluster. Type N walling consists of a few cattle kraals in the centre, linked by other walls, while a perimeter wall (sometimes incorporating small stock enclosures) surrounds the whole settlement. Little usually remains of structures in the residential areas, but stone paving may mark the location of houses, most probably of beehive type. Type N settlements typically follow a dispersed pattern: ordinary men and their extended families lived in separate homesteads while a cluster of Type N units formed a chief’s capital. Type N walling dates to the 15-17th Centuries. During this period Type N spread across the Vaal into Gauteng where it is sometimes referred to as Group I / Class 1.
In the Free State Type N led to Type V; named after the Vegkop Iron Age (Barolong) settlement. Type V consists of the standard core of cattle enclosures surrounded by beehive houses and grain bins, but outer walls are usually absent. Corbelled stone huts are believed to have evolved from this settlement type. Located on the edge of the central animal area, low, corbelled stone huts were used mostly by herd boys, although in some areas of the Free State they may have been used as houses for adults. Type V sites date to the 17th-early 19th Centuries and was built by people of the Fokeng cluster.
The Caledon River Valley is an area in the Free State with documented evidence of settlement by the Fokeng group of Iron Age communities. Originally settled between Frankfort and Vrede this group later moved to the Metlaeeng area (Walton, 1953).
The Historic Era As highlighted above the area is dominated by agricultural activities. The three towns associated with the project – Villiers, Frankfort and Heilbron all contain significant historic structures as well as classic examples of the Freestate Sandstone vernacular architecture. Due to restrictions regarding the construction of power lines over inhabited areas, damage to such structures are not anticipated. Apart from their agricultural history, none of these towns are associated in any significant way with other historic highlights of the area such as the South African War or the various gold- and diamond rushes. An area just outside of Villiers showed a pitted landscape that resembles some skirmish sites in northern KwaZulu Natal, however no reference to any battle sites could be found to substantiate this theory and this is most probably a natural geographic feature. The British burnt down the church in Frankfort during the war. In Heilbron a British Concentration Camp graveyard is found, although it is well outside of the proposed corridor.
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Figure 12. Historic building in Heilbron
Figure 13. Historic Church
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20km to the south of Heilbron a relatively important skirmish unfolded between the Hendrik Potgieter Voortrekkers and the Matabele of Mzilikazi. On 9th October Mzilikazi, the Matabele king, sent out a force of nearly 6 000 men from his kraal at Mosega, south-west of where Zeerust is situated today. They were under the command of a certain Kalipi whose orders were to ‘eat up’ the Voortrekkers. The date of the attack on the laager is uncertain, but it was about the 19th October. Potgieter with a small commando rode out for an hour and a half to meet the Matabele and tried unsuccessfully to persuade them by peaceful means to turn back. They had to fall back on the laager, shooting as they went, and eventually retired into it. Thereupon the Matabele launched a fierce attack on the laager, but the heroic defense stood firm. Eventually the Matabele had to break off the action, having lost 430 men. The Voortrekker losses were two killed and fourteen wounded. Eleven hundred and thirty-seven assegais were collected in the laager. Many of the riding horses in the laager were wounded and numbers of wagons were damaged but the most serious calamity was that the Matabele had stolen all the cattle and sheep (SAHRIS archive). Besides its historical importance, Vegkop is also of archaeological interest. The top of the hill was once the site of a large Leghoya settlement and the scattered remains of their corbelled stone huts can still be seen there. The area is an open terrace with an entrance gate and inside is a monument situated on rocks. Large areas, especially around the urban areas, are presently subject to sprawling low-income housing projects, both formal and informal. These large communities result in associated burial grounds as well as religious sites that should be taken into consideration.
Previous Studies An extensive research into the SAHRIS database resulted in the identification of the following heritage related studies that have been performed over the last decade in the study area. • Gaigher, S. 2013. Heritage Impact Scoping Report for the Proposed 132Kva Villiers via Frankfort to Heilbron Power Distribution Line. • Van Der Walt, J. 2008. Archaeological Impact Assessment Subdivision of the Farm Allemanshome 46, th Farm Onverwacht, and a Portion of the Farm Villiers, District Villiers, Free State Province. • Van Der Walt, J. 2008. Archaeological Impact Assessment Portions of Zoetvlei, Raaffie, Mooihoek and Erfhoek, District Heilbron, Free-State Province. • Van Ryneveld, K. 2009. Heritage Impact Assessment: Establishment of an Interdenominational Christian Cemetery at the “Vegkop” Provincial Heritage Site, Heilbron District, Free State, South Africa. • Van Vollenhoven, A., Pelser, A. 2008. A Report on a Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment for the Proposed Township Development on the Farm Joffre 1172, District Heilbron, Free State Province. • Dreyer, C. 2007. First Phase Archaeological and Historical Investigation of the Proposed Erection of a Cell Phone Mast at the Farm Waagstuk 136, Heilbron, Free State. • Bruwer, J., Bruwer, A, Martinson, W.A. 2006. Heritage Impact Assessment of the Proposed Expansion of the Current New Vaal Colliery Mining Operations Maccauvlei West Heilbron District Free State Province Final Report. • Pelser, A., Van Vollenhoven, A. 2008. A Report on a Heritage Impact Assessment Study for a Proposed New Residential Development on Portions 1, 2 and 3 Roodepoortje 178 and Portion 1781, Heilbron District Free State Province. • Van Der Walt, J. 2008. Archaeological Impact Assessment on the Farm Strasburg 544, Frankfurt, Free State Province. • Pelser, A. 2013. A Report on a Phase 1 Heritage Assessment for the Proposed Frankfort Powerplant Development near Frankfort, Free State. • Rossouw, L. 2014. Phase 1 Palaeontological and Archaeological Impact Assessment of the Proposed Township Extension on Farm AYR 75 at Frankfort, Free State Province. • Rossouw, L. 2016. Phase 1 Archaeological Impact Assessment of three Proposed new water pipelines in Frankfort, Fexile Dabi District Municipality, FS Province. • Rossouw, L. 2015. Phase 1 Heritage Impact Assessment of the 40693 Namahadi / Frankfort WWTW, Frankfort, Free State Province. • Dreyer, C. 2008. Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Assessment of the Proposed Residential Developments at Namahadi (Frankfort), Free State.
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 25 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Historical Maps
Figure 14. Topographical Map 2727 BD 1997
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 26 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Figure 15. Topographical Map 2727 BD 1976
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 27 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Ruins
Figure 16. Topographical Map 2728 AC 1976 (1)
Ruins
Grave
Figure 17. Topographical Map 2728 AC 1976 (2)
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 28 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Figure 18. Topographical Map 2728 AC 1976 (3)
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 29 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Figure 19. Topographical Map 2728 AD 1987 (1)
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 30 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Figure 20. Topographical Map 2728 AD 1987 (2)
Figure 21. Topographical Map 2728 AD 1987 (3)
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 31 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Figure 22. Topographical Map 2728 AD 1964 (1)
Figure 23. Topographical Map 2728 AD 1964 (2)
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 32 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Figure 24. Topographical Map 2728 AD 1964 (3)
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 33 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Figure 25. Topographical Map 2728 BC 1980
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 34 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Figure 26. Topographical Map 2728 BC 1969
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 35 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Figure 27. Topographical Map 2728 BA 1980 (1)
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 36 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Figure 28. Topographical Map 2728 BA 1980 (2)
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 37 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Figure 29. Topographical Map 2728 BA 1966 (1)
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 38 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Ruins
Figure 30. Topographical Map 2728 BA 1966 (2)
Results of the Historical Map Survey
Cemetery 1: Cemetery in Heilbron S27° 16’ 06.83’’ E27° 58’ 17.32’’ Approximately 3km from the power line. Appears on the Topographical Maps 2727 BD 2007 & 1997
Cemetery 2: Garden of Remembrance S27° 16’ 41.60 E27° 58’ 09.00’’ Approximately 2km from the power line. Appears on the Topographical Maps 2727 BD 2007, 1997 & 1976
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 39 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Figure 31. Location of Cemetery 1 and 2 in relation to the power line (red)
Ruins 1 S27° 17’ 06.10’’ E28° 03’ 37.28’’ Approximately 1km from the power line. Appears on the Topographical Maps 2728 AC 1976 (1)
Ruins 2 S27° 18’ 08.33’’ E28° 09’ 14.20’’ Approximately 400m from the power line. Appears on the Topographical Maps 2728 AC 1976 (2)
Grave 1 (See Site 5) S27° 18’ 28.75’’ E28° 09’ 51.05’’ Approximately 90m from the power line. Appears on the Topographical Maps 2728 AC 1976 (2)
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 40 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Figure 32. Location of Ruins 1, 2 and Grave 1 in relation to the power line (red)
Grave 2 S27° 19’ 06.02’’ E28° 17’ 12.17’’ Approximately 95m from the power line. Appears on the Topographical Maps 2728 AD 2004 (1), 1987 (1) & 1964 (1)
Rock Paintings S27° 19’ 15.45’’ E28° 17’ 43.05’’ Approximately 340m from the power line. Appears on the Topographical Maps 2728 AD 1964 (1)
Grave 3 S27° 19’ 22.49’’ E28° 19’ 38.20’’ Approximately 525m from the power line. Appears on the Topographical Maps 2728 AD 2004 (1) & 1987 (1)
Ruins 3 S27° 18’ 12.52’’ E28° 21’ 30.25’’ Approximately 1.6km from the power line. Appears on the Topographical Maps 2728 AD 2004 (2) & 1987 (2)
Grave 4 S27° 19’ 24.75’’ E28° 21’ 26.76’’ Approximately 560m from the power line. Appears on the Topographical Maps 2728 AD 2004 (2) & 1987 (2)
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 41 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Figure 33. Location of Grave 2, Rock Paintings, Grave 3, Ruins 3 and Grave 4 in relation to the power line (red)
Cemetery 3 S27° 17’ 19.52’’ E28° 29’ 33.13’’ Approximately 800m from the power line. Appears on the Topographical Maps 2728 AD 2004 (3), 1987 (3) & 1964 (3)
Ruins 4 S27° 16’ 27.91’’ E28° 31’ 08.88’’ Approximately 45m from the power line. Appears on the Topographical Maps 2728 BC 2004, 1980 & 1969
Cemetery 4 (See Site 2) S27° 16’ 03.91’’ E28° 30’ 40.24’’ Approximately 1km from the power line. Appears on the Topographical Maps 2728 BC 2004
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 42 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Figure 34. Location of Cemetery 3, Ruins 4 and Cemetery 4 in relation to the power line (red)
Ruins 5 S27° 11’ 13.43’’ E28° 33’ 06.34’’ Approximately 1km from the power line. Appears on the Topographical Maps 2728 BA 1966 (2)
Ruins 6 S27° 09’ 17.19’’ E28° 32’ 25.13’’ Approximately 140m from the power line. Appears on the Topographical Maps 2728 BA 1966 (2)
Ruins 7 S27° 09’ 06.74’’ E28° 32’ 53.94’’ Approximately 275m from the power line. Appears on the Topographical Maps 2728 BA 1966 (2)
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 43 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Figure 35. Location of Ruins 5, 6 and 7 in relation to the power line (red)
Results of the Walkdown
Analysis of Previous Study
Site 1 GPS S27° 11’ 04.57” E28° 32’ 32,31”
This small cemetery was found to be between pylon positions and at least 200m away from the proposed line.
No impact will be had on this site.
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 44 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Figure 36. Small cemetery
Site 2 GPS S27° 16’ 01.28” E28° 30’ 39.34”
This extended graveyard will not be affected by the selected alignment.
Figure 37. Extended Graveyard
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 45 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Current Findings Site 3 GPS S27° 15’ 14.1” E28° 31’ 37.4”
This is a small stone cairn located at the position of pylon 19. It is possibly the remains of a herder shelter. There is also a possibility that it might be the result of road clearing. It is recommended that the site be avoided since it is small enough.
Figure 38. Stone cairn at Site 3
Site 4 GPS S27° 18’ 56.8” E28° 23’ 21.0”
This is a possible single grave site located next to the access road to the Farm Japan. The site is not close to a pylon position (pylon 47 being the closest) and should be noted during construction the void damaging it.
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 46 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Figure 39. Possible grave site
Site 5 GPS S27° 18’ 28.4” E28° 09’ 50.7”
Figure 40. Possible graveyard
This is a possible small informal graveyard. Although not directly on the line it is important that the location be made aware to the construction crews.
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 47 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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Chapter 3 Impact Assessment
Anticipated Impacts IMPACTS DURING CONSTRUCTION PHASE The following physical impacts to the landscape can be expected: • Establishment of at least two construction yards • Bulldozing of roads to pylon sites with a possibility of cut and fill operations in places • Upgrading of existing farm roads and tracks • Creation of working and lay-down areas close to each pylon site • Excavation of foundations for each pylon • Erection of a 132 kV power line from the on-site substation • Construction of an on-site substation
Impacts to Pre-Colonial and Colonial Archaeology The fieldwork which was undertaken during the walkdown has identified a limited distribution of LSA material of relatively low significance and the overall impacts to this material will be relatively small. Furthermore, that the small volume of scattered artefacts on this vast landscape means that the combined overall impact of roads and infrastructure is in terms of the broader picture, relatively small.
There is always a chance that below-ground archaeological material may be exposed during excavations. All archaeological material over 100 years of age is protected and may only be altered or removed from its place of origin under a permit issued by SAHRA. In the event of anything unusual being encountered, SAHRA must be consulted immediately so that mitigation action can be determined and be implemented if necessary. Mitigation is at the cost of the developer, while time delays and diversion of machinery/plant may be necessary until mitigation in the form of conservation or archaeological/palaeontological sampling is completed.
Impacts to the Built Environment No farm buildings are threatened by the final layout.
Impacts to Cemeteries and Graves Although none of the identified burial sites are in the direct way of the final pylon positions, there are several sites which could be affected by the construction of access roads for the power line construction.
Impacts to the Cultural Landscape The cultural landscape around Frankfort is representative of the Highveld. It is a natural landscape with some vestiges of agricultural activities in the form of isolated farmhouses, fences and wind pumps. There are vast tracts of Highveld landscape and the development of a portion of it for the development of the power line will not result in the loss of a significant portion of the Karoo Cultural Landscape.
Resource Management Recommendations Although unlikely, sub-surface remains of heritage sites could still be encountered during the construction activities associated with the project. Such sites would offer no surface indication of their presence due to the high state of alterations in some areas as well as heavy plant cover in other areas. The following indicators of unmarked sub-surface sites could be encountered: • Ash deposits (unnaturally grey appearance of soil compared to the surrounding substrate); • Bone concentrations, either animal or human; • Ceramic fragments such as pottery shards either historic or pre-contact; • Stone concentrations of any formal nature.
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 48 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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The following recommendations are given should any sub-surface remains of heritage sites be identified as indicated above: • All operators of excavation equipment should be made aware of the possibility of the occurrence of sub-surface heritage features and the following procedures should they be encountered. • All construction in the immediate vicinity (50m radius of the site) should cease. • The heritage practitioner should be informed as soon as possible. • In the event of obvious human remains the South African Police Services (SAPS) should be notified. • Mitigation measures (such as refilling etc.) should not be attempted. • The area in a 50m radius of the find should be cordoned off with hazard tape. • Public access should be limited. • The area should be placed under guard. • No media statements should be released until such time as the heritage practitioner has had sufficient time to analyze the finds.
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 49 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers
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References Cited and Consulted - Desmond, C: The Discarded People. Penguin, Harmondsworth 1971. - Dreyer, C. 2008. Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Assessment of the Proposed Residential Developments at Namahadi (Frankfort), Free State. - Huffman, T.N. 2007. Handbook to the Iron Age: The archaeology of pre-colonial societies in southern Africa. Scottsville: University of Kwa-Zulu Natal Press. - Maggs, T.M. 1976. Iron Age communities of the southern Highveld. Pietermaritzburg: Natal Museum. - Mitchell, P. 2002. The archaeology of southern Africa. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. - Platzky, L.; Walker, C: The Surplus People: Forced Removals in South Africa. Ravan Press, Johannesburg 1985. - Sampson, C.G. 1972. The Stone Age Industries of the Orange River Scheme andSouth Africa. National Museum, Bloemfontein: Memoir no. 6. - Schoeman, K. 1982. Vrystaatse Erfenis: Bouwerk en geboue in die 19e eeu. Cape Town: Human & Rousseau. - Smith, A.B. 1995. Archaeological Observations along the Orange River and its Hinterland. In A.B. Smith (ed.) Einiqua/and, pp. 265 - 300. Rondebosch, UCT Press. - Thorp, C.R. 1996. A preliminary report on evidence of interaction between hunter-gatherers and farmers along a hypothesized frontier in the eastern Free State. The South African Archaeological Bulletin, 51: 57-63. - Webley, L. 1990. The use of stone ‘scrapers’ by semi-sedentary pastoralist groups in Namaqualand, South Africa. South African Archaeological Bulletin 45:28-32. - Walton, J. 1953. An Early Fokeng-Hlakoana Settlement at Metlaeeng, Basutoland. The South African Archaeological Bulletin, 8 (29): 3 – 11. - Webley, L.; Lanham, J. & Miller, D. March 2010. Scoping Heritage Impact Assessment: Proposed prospecting on 20* farms in the Olifantshoek and Kuruman areas of the Northern Cape.
Substation and 132kV Powerline: 50 Heilbron (via Frankfort) to Villiers