5.1 Client

National Heritage Council of South Africa.

The study identified the National Heritage Council of South Africa as an appropriate client for the project. On 26 February 2004, the National Heritage Council (NHC) was formally established as a legislative organisation responsible for the protection of South Africa’s heritage. The NHC strives to conserve structures and places of the past as a living collective memory to assist subsequent generations in defining their lives and identities (National Heritage Council, S.a.).

The main focuses of the NHC are:

a) Policy development to help the sector realise its transformation objectives

b) Public education and awareness

c) Knowledge creation in previously underserved heritage subjects

d) Providing support for projects that promote heritage as a socioeconomic resource. Berea Park is a heritage site that contains various structures and spaces that have served historically as gathering places for social and cultural connections. According to the theories that inform this project, it is critical to preserve the site and existing buildings to maintain the historical layers while also providing a socially sustainable lifespan. These theory components (Chapters 3 and 4) mirror the NHC’s goals and objectives. The NHC may give protection to and promote development of Berea Park, encouraging additional development in the area.

Fig 77: South African National Heritage Council logo (South African National Heritage Council, 2021)