2.4 spirit of heritage

holds that while individual memories and interpretations are psychologically valid in the post-colonial era, monument designers invariably cast a certain memory and message in the structures they create.

These arguments support the belief that most storytellers add, subtract, and change narratives depending on the audience, using the stories to consolidate and legitimise their power. Therefore, it can be concluded that sometimes what is retrieved from the past is determined by its usefulness in lending legitimacy to present and current interests. For example, incidences that legitimise rulers are memorialised, and ones that delegitimise rulers are ignored. Therefore, it is the responsibility of every generation to choose its past, because inheritances are chosen as much as they are passed on. Hartman (2008) encourages us to seek the moment to turn towards the future:

[W]hat we recall has as much to do with the terrible things we hope to avoid as with the good life for which we yearn. But when does one decide to stop looking to the past and instead conceive of a new order? … When is it clear that the old life is over, a new one has begun, and there is no looking back.

In light of these thoughts, this study sought to illustrate the possible dynamic perspectives and descriptions of architectural inheritance if altered and transmuted. There is the possibility of halting the retrospection and conceiving a new order.

2.4 Spirit of heritage

The spirit of heritage is defined in this context as the tangible and intangible values, honour, respect, and significance for past, present, and future generations. The spirit of some (military) heritage sites often refers to historical events, former wars, and battles. The spirit is therefore associated with mixed emotions, for example, in terms of the glory of armies, nations, and some nostalgic sentiments for the victor, as well as bitterness, undesirous, and humiliating sentiments for the vanquished.

Heritage buildings and sites are important historic emblems for cities and countries and constitute living encryptions of both cultural tradition and diversity (Bastian, Spiekman & Troi, 2014; Tokede, Udawatta & Luther, 2018). The latter authors state that heritage buildings denote an identity of a society and accentuate the need to