A Somerset West resident is desperately appealing to the compassionate Helderberg community to help restore her heritage-rich family home in Church Street severely damaged by a devastating fire that swept through the property more than two years ago.
The inside of the home of Anthea October and her family was left gutted by the blaze shortly after midnight on Thursday 21 April 2022, insides completely destroyed, their family inheritance no more (“Historiese woning vernietig,” DistrictMail, 28 April 2022). The incident left the 56-year-old mother of two and Grade R teacher, her elderly father, brother, daughter and boyfriend displaced.
The past two years since the tragedy have generally been difficult for the family, with further losses experienced.
Elderly family patriarch Herman Titus, heroically rescued from the burning house by two local firefighters, died on Tuesday 19 March this year (“Bekende inwoner, 89,) sterf”, DistrictMail& Helderberg Gazette, 27 March).
The past two years have seen rapid deterioration to the remnants of the property, situated on the Methodist Church mission grounds at 16 Church Street, something that requires immediate action to preserve the remnants and restore the family legacy. Moreover, it has been repeatedly targeted by vandals who have stripped the house of its electrical wiring.
According to October donations of roof trusses are needed to reconstruct the roof, which has been entirely removed above the facade. Additionally, building materials such as bricks and cement are required to repair the gutted interior walls. However, before any restoration can begin, assistance is crucial in removing all the debris left from the fire.
October lamented the dreadful conditions the family must endure, living in a shell of a house where the front is occupied by vagrants seeking shelter.
“Living in such conditions without electricity is extremely challenging,” said October. “This is our family home, and we are eager to restore it. However, we need help. Fixing this house would mean everything.”
Rob Young-Pugh of the Helderberg Renaissance Foundation (HRF), a Heritage Western Cape-registered conservation body, mentioned that restoring a home in a heritage area, particularly in a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone, requires a permit from Heritage Western Cape (HWC) owing to its conservation significance.
This is particularly pertinent as the property is situated on “mission grounds” historically linked to pre-apartheid and apartheid spatial politics in Somerset West.
Regarding guidelines residents must follow to preserve their heritage, Young-Pugh explained that while typical heritage practices must be adhered to, it does not prevent homeowners from making new additions or alterations. However, any modifications must respect the historical character and architectural integrity of the area. For instance, transforming the house into a double-storey building or converting it into a block of flats may well not be permissible.
“I imagine the overall character of the house and street is important,” he related.
Young-Pugh further advised expert consultation, starting with engaging HWC, which evaluates and oversees modifications to buildings 60 years and older by assessing their historical importance and determining or approving their classification.
