 | Wellington Blockhouse to see glory days again
20 August 2025 | Press Releases |
20 August 2025
The Wellington Blockhouse (“Blokhuis"), a prominent landmark with vast heritage value, has stood quietly along Old Hermon Road for generations. But in recent years, time and neglect have taken their toll, resulting most visibly in its collapsed roof and crumbling structure.
To restore the Blockhouse to its former glory and prominence, Drakenstein Municipality started engaging with the landmark's owner, the national Department of Public Works, to have it repaired. Unfortunately, this has been to no avail.
The Municipality then turned to Heritage Western Cape to issue an emergency repair order so that the Municipality could initiate repairs. Heritage Western Cape instead issued a compulsory repair order to the Department of Public Works – unfortunately, again to no avail.
The result was that Heritage Western Cape now indicated that they are willing to issue a repair permit to the Municipality, but requested certain detailed technical information beforehand.
In the meantime, the community decided to step in.
A group of surrounding property owners formed a non-profit organisation (NPO) and secured a five-year lease from the Department of Public Works, with the aim of restoring the Blockhouse. The NPO is awaiting the lease's final signature from the Department and once confirmed, the real work will start.
The NPO has indicated that it will:
• Assist Drakenstein Municipality in gathering the technical data needed for the repair permit; and
• Source funding to bring the Blockhouse back to life.
Together, we can restore its dignity as a symbol of resilience and a landmark we can all be proud of.
Watch this space. The Blockhouse will see glory days again.
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Issued by: Communication and Marketing, Drakenstein Municipality
