By Sibonelo Radebe

Makana Municipality is planning to build a multi-million rand heritage centre dedicated to commemorating the bloody 19th century “Battle for Grahamstown”.

The initiative feeds into the municipality’s integrated development plan (IDP) which has identified Grahamstown’s rich history as a tool to jumpstart the tourism industry in the area.

Plans for the centre follow the re-launch of the Makana Resort, previously the caravan park, which received a R20-million facelift, turning it from a dilapidated venue into three-star accommodation.

ANC councillor at Makana, Julia Wells, described the planned establishment as a “historical interpretive centre” designed to educate the broader community about the history of Grahamstown.

Wells, who is the chairman of the social services and community empowerment portfolio committee, is a historian who has taken a break from academia to become a full-time councillor.

She said the philosophy behind the centre was not to open up old wounds.

It would be designed to help people appreciate the past and how it has impacted on prevailing socio-economic trends.

This could cut across the social divide between the poor township settlements in the west end of Grahamstown and the affluent town centre and its surrounding suburbs.

Location of the centre is still the subject of debate.

Wells said one view was that it should be located between the township and the town.

This location would serve many purposes including ensuring easy access for all communities. This site would also be of historic significance as it is thought to be the actual place where Xhosa warriors under the leadership of Makana collided with the British military unit.

The capital investment required for erecting the centre would not come from the local budget but had been secured from outside government agencies. The funding model would resemble the one used for the refurbishment of the Makana Resort, which was paid for by the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

Source: The Herald