Search

Pretoria is well-known for its jacaranda trees, which has earned the city the nickname “Jacaranda City”. Jacarandas, however, are alien trees, which were brought to South Africa during the 19th century. The trees are frequently in danger when development projects are undertaken, usually resulting in a public outcry, as these trees have a special meaning for the people of this city. The aim of this article is to investigate this issue to determine whether jacarandas have cultural heritage significance. In order to do this the history of these trees, with specific reference to Pretoria, was studied. Background research related to heritage management was also done in order to be able to measure the possible cultural significance of these trees. The National Heritage Resources Act (no 25 of 1999), as well as international heritage protocols, refer to natural features and specifically those of cultural significance. Thus, natural heritage issues are considered as well, in drawing a conclusion. Historical research shows that jacarandas were imported to South Africa round about 1830 and that the first ones were planted in Pretoria in 1888. They were first planted as street trees in the town during 1906, and only after 1911 this was done on a larger scale. Over the years there have been many interventions, to either protect or remove these trees. Jacaranda trees are believed to have cultural, historical, aesthetic and social values for the inhabitants of Pretoria.

The South African National Road Agency Limited (SANRAL) requested Archaetnos to exhume historical graves on the farm Wemmershuis 379JT in the Belfast district, Mpumalanga Province, as the upgrade to the R33 road was impacting on the graves. The human remains were reinterred on the same farm, to another part of the semi-formal graveyard. A monument commemorating the deceased was also erected. As most of the graves are unknown, an archival investigation regarding the farm was conducted to obtain information on who these people may have been. Indications were that the graves belonged to white farmers as the only legible headstones are that of Johanna Marija Magdalena de Beer and DG or DC Killian. This article, deals with findings after a survey was conducted in the Deeds Office in Pretoria, as well as the National Archives Repository in Pretoria. A mass grave containing the human remains of four people was also uncovered during the field work phase. Grave goods indicated the possibility that these were British soldiers and therefore information on the Anglo-Boer (South African) War in this area is included. The ruin of a building, said to be the remains of a coach house on the old coach route, was found a few metres northeast of the graveyard. Information in this regard is also included as it may shed light on the graves and the importance of the farm. The farm Wemmershuis was established in 1887, but it originally was a portion of another farm, Berg-en-Dal, which was established in 1862. The farm history assisted in obtaining the surnames of people who may have been buried in the graveyard. It also seems likely that the farm Wemmershuis was a stop on the route between Pretoria and the Lowveld and that people who died while traveling may also have been buried here.

Archaetnos¹ probeer om deur middel van akteondersoeke, die bestudering van argivale dokumente en antropologiese literatuur, asook veldwerk en onderhoude met betrokkenes die geldigheid van grondeise te bepaal. Gebrek aan kennis deur die grondeisekommissaris (LCC) lei dikwels tot die prosessering van eise wat op foutiewe inligting berus, soos byvoorbeeld gebeur het met die eis van die BaPhalane Ba Ramokoka. Aangesien die prosessering van ongeldige eise op grond van gebrekkige kennis hoë kostes, 'n mors van tyd en 'n onproduktiewe stelsel tot gevolg het, word betoog dat die nodige inligting op 'n veel vroeër stadium aan die grondeisekommissaris beskikbaar gestel moet word. During the past few years, Archaetnos has been involved in various land claims, with a view to collecting historical, anthropological and archaeological information in order to determine the validity of such claims. This was done by doing deeds searches and studying archival material and anthropological literature, followed by a field survey where claimants indicated sites linked to their history and where they were interviewed. In some cases it was clear from the onset that misperceptions about South African history pertain. Even when information is correct, there is sometimes chronological chaos and in certain instances so-called "facts" are being fabricated. The above-mentioned information is used by the Land Claims Commission (LCC) to determine the merit of a claim. The lack of knowledge at this institution frequently results in cases being approved for the process even when such approval was clearly based on incorrect information. The land claim of the BaPhalane Ba Ramokoka community is one such example. In the article the reasons for land claims in general are listed. The merit of the BaPhalane claim, as well as the information obtained during the research process, is then discussed against this background. This is, however, not done in detail, as the article insteadfocuses on the general problem created by historical misperceptions. The findings of the research were that although the BaPhalane had a valid claim to at least four of the thirty-two farms listed, they had no valid claim to at least eighteen others. This was confirmed by the court judgement. It is concluded that the lack of knowledge at the Land Claims Commission results in many cases being unnecessarily investigated. This results in high costs, a waste of time and an unproductive system. It is therefore clear that information is required at a much earlier stage during the land claims process.