McGREGOR HERITAGE SOCIETY

McGREGOR HERITAGE SOCIETY

In terms of its constitution the McGregor Heritage Society (MHS) is a juristic person distinct from its officers and members. The Society is a registered NPO under the Nonprofit Organisation Act, 71 of 1997 (Registration number 097-978-NPO) as well as a registered conservation body with Heritage Western Cape (HWC/RCB/09/05)

THE MHS MANDATE

The mandate of the McGregor Heritage Society (MHS) is to safeguard the history and heritage aspects of McGregor, on behalf of its residents. This includes tangible aspects, namely the built environment where the MHS is mandated to preserve and protect the historical significance of its architectural built environment and to promote conservation awareness. As regards intangible heritage the Society is mandated to promote the development of historical stories, the McGregor Brass Band, a sense-of-place and related matters. Included in its mandate is to act custodian of the Krantz Nature Reserve.

More specifically, the following objectives deal directly with the people of McGregor so that both the physical place and the history may be preserved for future generations:

• Govern and manage the McGregor Museum

• Offer assessments in terms of heritage related building plan applications

• Govern the McGregor Building Guidelines

• Support the greater community in terms of heritage knowledge and information

• Govern the Krantz Nature Reserve

• Manage a well-functioning society for group members

THE MHS ORIGINS / HISTORY

An early indicator of concern for the heritage of McGregor was an initiative taken by artist Philip Terblanche, in the 1970s who was then the owner of Rhebokskraal farm. Among other things, he persuaded the government to build the row of thatched semi-detached cottages in Long Street in a sensitive vernacular style so that they would complement the heritage of the oudorp houses. But for this laudable initiative more tin roofed RDP houses would have been built not in conformity with the heritage rich landscape of McGregor. These houses were built at the entrance to Long Street in 1976, and were recognised as being highly significant by the then National Monuments Council who declared them all National Monuments in 1997. These are now graded as Provincial Heritage Sites (PHS).

A forerunner to the McGregor Heritage Society was the Robertson McGregor Trust, established in the 1980s with the aim of conserving buildings and the built environment in the two places. A group of concerned McGregor residents who had an interest in preserving the authentic and rich cultural landscape of McGregor took  the initiative further and established the MHS in 1995 along with the McGregor Aesthetics Committee (MAC). Of concern was both the tangible and intangible heritage  of McGregor. The founder was Jane Banks, with the first chairman being Angus Rose.

An initial initiative of the MHS was to strategise to find a way to conserve the village, while ensuring that development was undertaken in an appropriate way. To this end a quote was obtained from experts in this field who had studied and presented plans for Franschhoek and Montagu, namely, the firm of Todeschini and Japha (T&J). Their proposed professional fee of R25 000, was a substantial amount in those days. Nevertheless the residents of McGregor set about raising the necessary funds through the collective efforts of flower shows, cake sales, concerts, dinners by inns and hostelries, and related efforts. The incentive was that the then McGregor Council agreed that if the village raised the funds, it would grant consent for adoption of the study. The R25 000 was raised, and the completed study and report presented to the Council. It was by and large adopted in 1997, however, political changes at the time delayed a full adoption.

The MHS was established essentially to guide developers so that the rich architectural and cultural value of the McGregor landscape was not negatively impacted on. This came about in 1992 after two proposed projects: to subdivide a large tract of land in the bo-dorp, and, secondly, to build a row of townhouses alongside the lei-water dam, was opposed by the residents. A petition was circulated to all residents and 85 of them signed and handed it over to the Council. Neither of these developments occurred, but the prospect of uncontrolled and intrusive developments within the village led to the establishment of the MHS.

A further initiative of the MHS was to lobby for the proclamation the Krantz Nature Reserve as an open space to be used by the whole village. A successful application was made to the Rowland and Lita Hill Trust for funds of R10 000 to promote this. Much work was done, paths were laid out, efforts were made to clean and fence the Krans, a brochure was designed and printed with details of plants and other matters of interest including botanical and archaeological surveys of the area. This was to motivate for proclamation as a reserve during 1994/5, a time of political transition in South Africa.  

With the times changing in the country, transitional councils, interim local government, and finally, amalgamation of small towns like McGregor into the larger Langeberg Municipality, these all-hindered proclamation of the Krantz Nature Reserve and the final adoption of the T & J conservation study. However, in 1995, there was a grand opening of the Krantz Nature Reserve, with the mayor - Oom Piet October presiding, a commemoration plaque and wild olive tree planted by Dr. John Hanks from WWF; and a goodly feast provided for the school children who attended. For some time, an educational officer came to take school children on walks in the Krans.

Other notable previous projects was for the assistance given to restorations of old heritage cottages within the village, including restoring a cottage built in 1860, situated on the corners of Tindall and Buitenkant Streets. The MHS assisted with funds for building materials for it to be fully restored (fund raised through its annual heritage dinner), with members of the community coming together to supply the labour. This was a successful community effort. This work of architectural and financial support is ongoing, but funds greatly limit the MHS’s ability to be able to cater to all needs and requests, as its only source of income is through voluntary donations.

The ultimate aim of the MHS is to make people aware of the heritage value of McGregor. This has far reaching consequences in terms of general mental well-being, as there is a tendency for people to lose the connection with their sense-of-place with which they identify with and are connected to. To govern this potential negative impact on McGregor’s sense-of-place, the MHS offers assistance and guidance in terms of how to manage the built environment in how it adapts and changes to suit modern lifestyles and daily living. The objective is not to hinder development for the village, but instead to allow it to develop harmoniously within the existing heritage sensitive environment. Contemporary architecture is celebrated, as it continues the architectural timeline of the village. The McGregor Building Guidelines offers guidance to residents and professionals alike so that heritage sensitive designs are applied to the built environment.

THE MHS TODAY

The modern era of the MHS continues the same endeavours including to organise heritage walks in the village and surrounds which are well supported. The MHS has further adopted an acknowledgement program for the significant heritage properties within the village, whereby heritage plaques are installed to each property noting the significance. These plaques loosely tie into the McGregor Village Walks (see downloads tab) which lead one around the village slowly and quietly, so that daily life in the village and the architectural beauty may be appreciated and observed.

The MHS has undertaken to host an annual fundraising Heritage Dinner in winter, whereby members of the public can be treated to a talk by a guest speaker and with heritage food which celebrates the diverse cultures of McGregor.

The MHS continues to govern the McGregor Museum and its content, after a re-launch in September 2025, which rectified how the history was displayed in terms of the previous euro-centric point of views, and in its place presented the history of ALL people who lived and resided in McGregor. This project of dynamic storytelling of the history of McGregor broke the precedent of apartheid in how the history was portrayed to the public and has instead brought the unheard voices of the people into the public realm, so that a collective and true representation is shown which acknowledges All people in an equal manner.

The MHS has reached its 30-year anniversary in 2025 and has remained a steadfast and dedicated voluntary body serving the residents of McGregor. It stands to continue to serve and govern the history of the people of McGregor, so that future generations can learn how life once was in the small semi-rural village which lies at the foot of the Boesmanskloof trail.

CONTACT DETAILS

email : mcgregorheritagesociety@gmail.com