Heritage Sites | Struggle to preserve history

EAST LONDON - South Africa has many globally renowned heritage sites but some communities are concerned that these landmarks aren't being looked after.

Vandalism has resulted in some losing their significance.

READ: Heritage Day | Some heritage sites face closure

The German Settlers Monument was vandalised and this has resulted in the sculpture being fenced off. The heritage site is in commemoration of the first German settlers to East London who came in the 1850s.                                                                     

Lindsey Pollock said, "it is just very strange to me that we are seeing so much fixing going up in the city. And actually what it means is that this site, which is a very popular site for tourists, we have a lot of Germans who want to see where their ancestors went they come on their own as tourists or we have a lot of ships coming in and this one of the sites that they come to have a look at."

"If it is going to be fenced and locked so they won't be able to get close enough to read the names or any of the detail on the site."

In Mdantsane, the Egerton Railway Station and Bus Boycott Massacre monuments are still in good condition as it is situated opposite a train station where there are security guards.

11 people were brutally murdered on 4 August 1983 by the police over a five cents bus fare increase during the dark days of Apartheid.

Ward councillor Nontyilelo Whittington said, "we are busy we want to do a 40th anniversary of this heritage site because there are people that are still alive I think they are four."

"They came to me and wanted to know if there will be this commemoration of the 40th anniversary we are busy with it with the municipality."

Government says these heritage sites play a vital role in the history of the country and they hope they remain intact for generations to come.