Some Salt River residents – past and present – are wanting to record the history and heritage of one of Cape Towns’ oldest suburbs.
Fearing that growing gentrification in the neighbourhood threatens to wipe away its rich character and echoes of the past, they have formed the Salt River Heritage Society (SRHS) to document and preserve the history and heritage of the area and its people.
Committee member Shabodien Roomanay said many had already come forward to help.
“There has been a wonderful response from people from the area and many great ideas have been suggested,” he said.
Martin Jansen, another committee member, said that often people with no means were left behind as if they had never existed.
“Quite often, history is written by those who conquer and reflects a prejudice and bias that does not tell the true story of a people.
“This is an attempt to start leaving behind a narrative recorded by the people themselves,” he said.
The SRHS will hold a meeting at the Salt River Railway Hall for all past and present residents on Heritage Day, Monday September 24, to outline its objectives. A documentary about Salt River High School will also be screened and food will be on sale.
Email Sedick Kamaldien at saltriverhistory@gmail.com for details.