Athlone Power Station: Heritage Debate Sparks Controversy

The City of Cape Town and Heritage Western Cape (HWC) have found themselves in a heated debate over the heritage status of the Athlone Power Station, an iconic landmark of the city's industrial past. Facing opposition from the municipal government, conservation NPO Docomomo's successful nomination to declare the site a provincial heritage site (PHS) underscores the tension between preserving historical sites and pursuing urban development.

In November, Heritage Western Cape approved Docomomo's nomination, recognizing the Athlone Power Station as a unique example of early 20th-century industrial architecture in Cape Town. Notably, the 100-meter-tall chimneys, which stand as free-standing, load-bearing brick marvels, are as tall as 25- to 30-story buildings and symbolize a time of technological advancement and significant public infrastructure investment. The conservation NPO points out the station's role in illustrating the era of industrialization and its association with modernism.

The City of Cape Town, however, has plans to utilize the site for future projects aimed at transforming the city's energy footprint while fostering economic growth and providing basic services. They argue that current legal measures, chiefly Section 34 of the National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA), offer ample protection to the structure, which forbids alterations or demolitions of any structures over 60 years old without a permit.

Beverley van Reenen, the Mayco member for Energy, asserts that declaring the power station a PHS is an unnecessary move since the site isn't under threat and the city intends to honor its heritage responsibilities, having previously procured a permit for works from HWC. Yet, Heritage Western Cape's stance is firm, insisting on its obligation to formally protect the power station by declaring it a PHS, finding the City's arguments against the grade II status unconvincing.

The local community, including Langa's longtime activist Madoda Dopla Cuphe, views the power station as more than just an old building. It holds a deep historical and cultural significance for the residents, offers potential tourism opportunities, and represents a past where the power station served as an employment hub for many families.

Lester September, Chairperson of the Forum of Cape Flats Civics, echoes the sentiment for preserving the building, suggesting that the structure could accommodate renewable energy initiatives such as battery storage or a solar plant, rather than being demolished.

As the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport processes the City's appeal, the future of Athlone Power Station hangs in the balance, with the outcome likely to set a precedent for heritage preservation amidst urban planning and development in South Africa.