CPUT inspires future in heritage preservation

The iconic Castle of Good Hope, a true gem of South African heritage, was alive with excitement recently as it played host to a momentous event: the renewal of the long-standing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CPUT and the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), marking a thrilling new chapter in their partnership.

This celebration not only honours the past but also paves the way for an inspiring future in heritage preservation. In her opening remarks, Adv Lungisa Malgas, SAHRA Chief Executive Officer, said: “It is both a pleasure and an honour to stand before you today in this historic Castle of Good Hope — a national heritage site that embodies the very heritage we are gathered to champion. Today is a day of celebration, reflection, and re-commitment.”

Malgas noted that five years ago, SAHRA and CPUT embarked on a journey, united by a shared vision to protect and interrogate South Africa’s rich, complex, and living heritage. She expressed that what started as a simple formal agreement has now blossomed into a vibrant force driving remarkable progress. “We have witnessed incredible results: groundbreaking academic research, the nurturing of skilled Honours and Master's graduates, tangible conservation work on precious heritage sites, and critical contributions to the declaration process of new national sites.”

Malgas mentioned that the most noteworthy success of this partnership has been its crucial involvement in the creation of the Sustainable Heritage Research Unit, asserting that this serves as proof of the potential that exists when a heritage organisation and an academic institution come together with shared goals, enthusiasm, and practical knowledge.

She said that they were formalising their partnership by not only extending the existing contract but also committing to a deeper collaboration. They aimed to assert that the combination of SAHRA’s legislative responsibilities and CPUT’s cutting-edge academic capabilities is vital for the future of the national estate. “We are committing, once again, to:

• Transforming theory into practice on the ground.
• Equipping the next generation of heritage custodians with both knowledge and skill.
• Ensuring our shared history is researched, understood, and conserved through a lens of sustainability and social relevance.

“To our partners at CPUT — your dedication, academic rigour, and collaborative spirit have been invaluable. This journey has shown that our partnership is not merely beneficial but essential. Let this renewed agreement signal our unwavering joint commitment to preserving and celebrating the stories in our stone, our landscapes, and our communities.”

Principal Researcher, Sustainable Heritage Research Unit, Maphole Loke said the renewed agreement strengthens a collaboration grounded in shared stewardship, sustainable conservation, and knowledge co-creation, as articulated in the Joint Declaration of Principles & Values signed by both institutions. “SAHRA and CPUT are committed to continued cooperation in safeguarding the national estate, expanding research, and empowering future heritage professionals through postgraduate training, work-integrated learning, and community-centred engagement.”

Loke added that through this MoU, the Sustainable Heritage Research Unit, led by Prof Pallav Kumar, will continue leading national efforts in heritage research, conservation training, webinars, conferences, and consultancy initiatives. “The agreement also supports bursaries, skills development, and applied research in cultural heritage materials and historic structures, in line with the collaboration objectives outlined in the MoU,” she enthused.

The event also recognised the significant contributions of SHRU researchers and partners, including the unit's principal researcher, Loke, Dr Patrick Bukenya, Prof Bongani Ncube, Dr Kevin Musungu, and international collaborator Prof Giuseppe Cultrone (University of Granada), who supports CPUT postgraduate students with advanced material testing.

“Together, SAHRA and CPUT look forward to building a more vibrant, resilient, inclusive and sustainable heritage landscape for South Africa and the African continent,” Loke enthused. Kumar, a senior lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering, and Loke also reflected on the MoU between CPUT and SAHRA from 2020 to 2025.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Prof Marshall Sheldon, who signed the MoU, said that when she looks at the engagement between CPUT and SAHRA, it encompasses everything that is in her portfolio, research, technology, innovation and partnerships, postgraduates, and internalisation. Sheldon acknowledged that the last five years have reflected the knowledge exchange, skills development, and student development, “from the first-year undergraduate up to our pinnacle qualification, which is a doctoral postgraduate qualification”. “So, really, the whole pipeline of students is exposed through this, technology innovation, digital archiving, and very importantly, community engagement.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
Email: BoyceAp@cput.ac.za