Inspection visit planned for troubled Women's Living Heritage Monument in City of Tshwane

Residents and small business operators based in and around the Women’s Living Heritage Monument in the City of Tshwane are expected to take part in interactions to discuss issues that have troubled the R280 million centre and prevented its full operation years after its unveiling by former president Jacob Zuma in 2016.

The monument’s construction was completed in 2018 but remains partially operational despite the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation's commitment to make it fully functional by specific deadlines, including October 2024.

The centre at Sammy Marks Square was launched on August 9, 2012, to honour the legacy of women in the struggle against apartheid and contribute to growing tourism in the region. It was also supposed to host a training and development centre, but is yet to fulfil its purpose and full potential due to constructor and financial issues.

A follow-up oversight inspection of the centre will be conducted on Thursday, September 25, led by Democratic Alliance Gauteng Spokesperson for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Leanne De Jager MPL.

Deadlines

De Jager said the monument remains partially operational despite the Gauteng government’s commitment to make it fully operational by specific deadlines, including October 2024.

“As part of our Heritage Month campaign, the DA will reassess the heritage site to determine why its operationalisation continues to be delayed. We will also interact with residents and small business owners operating in the area surrounding the monument to assess the impact of the closure,” she said in a statement.  

The development of the centre has over the years been plagued by a number of problems, including non-compliant fire safety systems, roof leaks, poor plumbing, constructor squabbles, and financial issues.

Honouring the contribution of women in the struggle against apartheid, the centre has as part of its key features statues commemorating legendary activists Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, and Sophie De Bruyn. The four were part of the more than 20,000 women that marched to the Union Buildings in 1956.

De Jager has conducted similar inspections in the past, including one where she and her entourage were allegedly frustrated and prevented from entering the centre.