Chairperson Jack van der Lecq's annual report dealt with the changes in the Society that have been necessitated by the Society's amended registration status. He explained how the Society has moved from being a Section 21 organisation into a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO).
This change in status brought about a changed timing of the AGM to the May/June period annually and provided an appropriate category for the Society in its registration with SARS.
Van der Lecq looked back on the busy period since the last Heritage AGM in which the committee had been restructured and the Society had embarked on a renewed drive to strengthen its co-operation with statutory controlling authorities such as HWC and Mossel Bay Municipality. He commented on the improved and improving processes and systems for ensuring that Mossel Bay's rich heritage in stone buildings, historical sites and monuments were conserved while, at the same time, developers and builders were assisted in finding appropriate solutions for their client's needs.
"This action and attention which is focussed on the preservation of Mossel Bay's irreplaceable heritage icons, is conducted within the framework of the guidelines laid down and monitored by the legal authority of HWC", Van der Lecq pointed out.
Andrew Hall
Keynote speaker, Andrew Hall opened his address by expressing his delight at being able to visit Mossel Bay for the first time. He said he was impressed by what he had seen and encouraged by the people involved in heritage affairs in the town.
Leading the audience through the rationale and important role played by heritage and its artefacts in the culture and identity of a society, he described the structures of the Provincial Government's principal heritage controlling agency, HWC. He related examples of how the Provincial and National heritage agencies functioned and what guidelines and standards were governed by law. Hall referred also to South Africa's heritage preservation in the context of worldwide practices and values.
He confirmed the responsibility borne by local communities and their local governments to uphold and maintain heritage as a key element in the nation's education and identity.
Hall ended his address to enthusiastic applause and was inundated with questions and observations by many members of the audience as everybody enjoyed the welcome serving of traditional soup and bread in the closing social function on what had been a good night for heritage in Mossel Bay.
Andrew Hall made introductory and information gathering visits to several key organisations and institutions involved in heritage affairs in and around Mossel Bay during his visit. These included the Municipality, local Transnet Management, the Pinnacle Point archaeological digs, the Business Chamber, the Dias Museum, the Voortrekker Museum and Great Brak Museum.
Heritage Chairperson Jack van der Lecq said of the visit, "It's been a privilege and an encouragement to have had a senior member of the Provincial administration like Andrew Hall visit us, address our AGM and make meaningful contact with the important decision-makers in heritage in Mossel Bay. We believe his visit will add value to HMB's efforts and help our town to better preserve its rich heritage for the benefit of us all."
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In good spirits at the AGM of Heritage Mossel Bay last week is this distinguished group of "Heritage Greybeards" (from left to right), Jack van der Lecq, Chairperson, Heritage Mossel Bay; keynote speaker at the AGM, Andrew Hall, CEO of Heritage Western Cape, the heritage agency of the Western Cape Government; Rob Phillips, Executive Committee, Heritage Mossel Bay, and David Shearing, Chairperson of the Simon van der Stel Foundation Southern Cape Branch.
