Expert help needed for Montagu Pass

Update

GEORGE NEWS - The Montagu Pass, which is the oldest and historically most significant pass in the Southern Cape, is in urgent need of restoration.

This was again emphasised at a breakfast hosted by George Heritage Trust (GHT) at the Protea Hotel King George on Saturday 16 September. The event was held in honour of National Heritage Week and 21 organisations were represented.

Several speakers at the event agreed that the reopening of this scenic route should be enjoying the highest priority and that there is a legal onus on local authorities to ensure its preservation.

The pass was closed on 14 February following rain damage. It also suffered severe rain damage last year.

"The closure of the pass has had a devas-tating impact on tourism in George. We cannot afford to stand by and watch the old road slide further into disrepair," said GHT member Nanno Evenhuis.

Evenhuis identified the need for involving experts in historic road building to ensure that the Montagu Pass is rebuilt to its original state.

Other speakers concurred that the rebuilding of flood-damaged areas must be carried out with great circumspection and with all the technical know-how available here and in Cape Town.

"There is expertise out there in the private sector and eagerness to help the authorities to get this right, even volunteers who are willing to help execute the rehabilitation," said society chair Willie-John van Niekerk.

Van Niekerk was also praised for his input into the inventory of historic buildings, which is a living document that is constantly being improved and added to.

The pass is a heritage site protected under the National Heritage Resource Act.

There was a positive vibe and a desire for closer cooperation between the Southern Cape conservation bodies who networked at the event. Photo: Pauline Lourens

Botanical Garden expansion

Attendees were excited upon learning all the positive developments for expansion at the Garden Route Botanical Garden.

Newly appointed curator Christiaan Viljoen said a total of 26 hectares is to be added to the garden.

This will put the botanical garden in the same league as Kirstenbosch in Cape Town.

Following a morning of intensive networking, organisations expressed the desire to meet on a more regular basis to bring about closer cooperation on matters of communal interest.

At the breakfast were, from left: Cynthia Fillies and Blanché Benjamin of Gwaiing Action Group, chairperson Willie-John van Niekerk, Simon van der Stel Southern Cape chairperson Natie de Swardt and Rina de Swardt. Photo: Pauline Lourens