Fire damage

The Witness: "Fire damage"
01 Aug 2009 The Editor
FIRST the Colonial Building, then Harwin’s Arcade. In quick succession, two architecturally and historically significant buildings in the heart of the provincial capital have been gutted by fire. Many may see these calamities as symptomatic of the degradation of Pietermaritzburg’s city centre. In recent years, the townscape has been characterised by litter and neglect, rather than the careful tending that should have been given to Alan Paton’s “lovely city”. No doubt, however, contemporary disdain for the relics of the colonial and apartheid eras is something that the author of Cry, the Beloved Country would have fully understood.

Some good may come of these disasters. In recent times there has been an acknowledgement that if the city is to flourish it must do more to preserve the architectural heritage that gives it its character. Ironically, the Colonial Building fire was sparked during renovations. The realisation of how vulnerable the buildings now are, together with the recognition of both their inherent value and their potential appeal for tourists in 2010 and beyond, may spur on a drive to restore the whole city centre. With government support for a state building, the restoration of the Colonial Building has been promised. The future of privately-owned Harwin’s Arcade is less assured, but it must be hoped that this architectural gem will be properly restored.