ANCILLARY INFORMATION TO ACCOMPANY A NOTICE OF INTENT TO DEVELOP

In terms of section 38(8) of the National Heritage Resources Act 1999 (Act 25 of 1999)

Erf 1221, Inciniba and Ingxangxosi Streets MFULENI

The site viewed from Ingxangxosi Street. Note illegal dumping as well as illegal mining Prepared for: Maccsand, P O Box 83, Macassar, 7134

by Ron Martin Heritage Consultancy Heritage Impact Assessments, Heritage Statements (as part of EIA's), Heritage Evaluations of historic structures & sites, Oral History studies and evaluations, Socio-historic evaluations, etc.

7 Suikerbossie Street 7100 Forest Village Fax: (086) 653 9070 Cell: (071) 732 4839 e-mail: [email protected] 1. BACKGROUND AND BRIEF

This document is to accompany an application to the Departments of Minerals & Energy Affairs and Environmental Affairs to conduct sand mining operations on Erf 1221, Mfuleni, and to ascertain whether any restrictions would apply to the application in terms of Section 38(8) of the National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999 (the Act).

2. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The heritage significance of a site or structure is considered in terms of criteria consistent with Section 3(3) and Section 7 of the Act as well as Gazette Regulations of 30 May 2003.

 The property in question is ungraded and does not fall within any proposed or declared heritage areas in terms of Section 31 of the Act or any urban conservation areas designated in terms of the City of Municipal Zoning Scheme. It is therefore not subject to any guidelines relevant to such designated areas. A locality map and aerial photograph is attached as an addendum to this report.

3. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

The criteria used to determine the heritage significance of the site is based on the Heritage ’s Provincial Heritage Site Nomination form, which has been designed in order to assist with grading of heritage resources in terms of section 3(3) of the Act.

3.1 General Assessment

 The study area is situated in the suburb of Mfuleni in the area. It is located south of Mfuleni Drive, the main thoroughfair through Mfuleni, and bound by Inciniba and Ingxangxosi Streets, which together form a ring road around the linear dune.  The site is zoned Open Space, but earmarked for residential development in terms of the draft SDF for the Oostenberg Administration. The area to be mined covers most of the 1,2880 hectares and is covered in alien vegetation, mostly Port Jackson, Rooikrans and other eucalyptus sp species. No structures prevail on site. The proposal is to mine the site in such a way as to level its topography to permit the development of residential units. It is estimated that the mine could yield approximately 150 000m3 of builders’ sand, with a lifespan of approximately two years.  Neighbouring Erf 989 was mined from 2013 (approved by HWC and DEA&DP) and has since been closed and rehabilitated for use as a residential development for the . Aerial View View across the site from Ingxangxosi St towards the East

View across the site from Ingxangxosi St towards the north, with residential fabric in the foreground View across the site (southwest to northeast)

View across site (south to north) from Inciniba Street View of site from neighbouring Erf 989, which was approved for mining in 2013 and rehabilitated in 2014

View down Mfuleni Road, with dune in background. The flattened Erf 989 is on left of picture 3.1.1 Archaeology

 The site forms part of the sandy plains of the . Here, pre-colonial settlement was scarce due to the driving winds and sandstorms. Permanent settlement became possible mostly after the colonists planted hardy trees and shrubs imported from Western Australia, including the various Eucalyptus (blue gums and Rooikrans), Port Jackson and Wattles.  The possibility of archaeological remains would therefore be minimal at best, supported by the proximity of the site to adjoining residential, industrial and institutional sites and areas.

3.1.2 Socio-Historical Significance

 The site is of no obvious social significance.

3.1.3 Impact and Mitigation

Impact: The site is not visible from any major traffic artery. The local topography will be altered to form a landscape consistent with that of the surrounding residential area, allowing the site to be developed or rehabilitated, consistent with the local Draft Spatial Development Framework for the area.

Mitigation: In the event that archaeological material or human burials are found, these have to be reported to Heritage Western Cape and the SAPS, as appropriate. No further mitigation is necessary.

4. CONCLUSION

The site would not qualify for formal protection in terms of the provisions entrenched in the National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999 as it possesses no intrinsic heritage value nor any other tangible evidence that would enable it to qualify for said protection.

5. RECOMMENDATION

Based on the above, I can hereby recommend that the application for sand mining operations on Erf 1221, Mfuleni, be approved with no conditions, providing that suggested mitigation methods are applied.

COMPILED BY:

Ron Martin 18 March 2015