The government is pumping more than R1 million into the restoration of the Castle of Good Hope – raising concerns that the country’s oldest building is falling apart.
The maintenance started in May and includes the reinforcement of walls and fixing of roof leaks. The decision to do the work was taken after slates on the Leerdam bastion came loose a few months ago.
Gabriël Fagan Architects, which did extensive preservation work at the castle in 1999, have again been called upon to do the restoration work at the historic building.
Castle manager Francois Morkel, when approached for comment on the maintenance work by Weekend Argus, said he had received calls from concerned people regarding the state of the building, but denied it was falling apart. He said it was safe and secure despite the ongoing work.
He said the Castle was undergoing a maintenance and restoration exercise, which included the painting of the Castle exterior walls, starting with the oldest bastion, the Leerdam bastion.
“A mixture of lime mortar and crushed sea shells, which was the mixture used in the initial building of the Castle, will be used for the painting the walls.
“The restoration will further concentrate on the renovation of leaking roofs inside the Castle of Good Hope. These leakages on the mainly flat roofs of the Castle are a result of natural wear and tear caused by water and heat,” said Morkel.
Morkel said that a more detailed report over the maintenance and renovations would be released later this month.
Despite the renovations, the Castle has being chosen as the venue for the global J&B party in South Africa. VIP guests from around the world are expected to attend the glamorous event on June 25. - Weekend Argus