As a beacon of South Africa’s rich cultural heritage, the Ohlange Institute is facing hurdles, with reports of unfinished construction. 

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson’s Monday during an oversight visit to the institute, founded by Dr John Langalibalele Dube and his wife Nokutela, highlighted the long-delayed project’s issues and sought solutions.

KZN Amafa and Research Institute CEO Dr Mxolisi Dlamuka said that although Ohlange Institute is a national and world heritage site, the provincial government owns the site. 

“This project is an example of a project that was badly managed,” Dlamuka said. 

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Dlamuka explained that the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture appointed the Independent Development Trust (IDT) but concerns arose over the quality of workmanship, leading to IDT’s removal after an independent evaluator found the work did not match the payments received. A subsequent service provider’s investigation into the amphitheatre structure revealed it was unsound and required partial demolition, deeming the existing work “valueless”. The new implementing agent proposed a R10 million “floating roof” solution, bringing the total cost of the amphitheatre to approximately R29 million before storms blew out the roof in 2023.

Dlamuka said the purchase of the house was partly implemented. Documents show R1.7 million was paid to the family trust for rituals and not the purchase of the house. An additional R1.3 million was required to purchase the house, but this transaction never materialised.

He said, despite outstanding issues, the amphitheatre was transferred to the City of eThekwini last year. It cannot be used due to safety risks and a lack of chairs, remaining merely a structure. 

On lessons learned, Dlamuka said that when a project of this nature is implemented, all stakeholders (national, provincial, and municipal) must be involved. 

He said the stakeholders must unite and find solutions to revive the project.

Dlamuka said that the other immediate issue is that the World Heritage Committee is going to be knocking on their doors because the site is part of a serial nomination and that important structural issues, especially in the house, must be fixed immediately. 

IDT Board chairperson Zimbini Hill said the project stalled “for various reasons, particularly the availability of finance”.

She explained that the Department of Arts and Culture issued a memorandum of understanding (MOA) in 2012 with a budget of R31 million, which expired in 2016. This budget covered phase one (the memorial upgrade) and phase two (fencing and external works). IDT spent R21m, completing about 96% of the project. 

Hill reported that the graves and homestead perimeter fence were 100% complete, while the amphitheatre stood at 92% completion (the remaining work includes toilets, painting, fencing, and electrical works). 

She said the IDTis ready to continue the work if reappointed.

KZN Public Works and Infrastructure representative Nkosi Vilakazi said that in 2013, R1.3 million was paid to a conveyancing attorney to conclude the property transaction, but the necessary documents were never signed by all parties. Public Works has payment records and is now in talks to recover the R1.3m. 

Vilakazi confirmed the R1.7m was paid to the family trust. 

His recommendations are for Public Works to fast-track the recovery of the R1.3m and to conduct a re-evaluation of the house’s cost to finally conclude the purchase and transfer.

Macpherson said he wanted to see what accountability or non-accountability was taken with the original contractor. 

“I want to see that money come back to us. We should be going to liquidate those individuals in their personal capacities and receive that money. We have started to do that,” Macpherson said, adding they must stop awarding contracts to incapable entities.

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za

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