ERVEN 876, 878 and 884, MOORREESBURG A brick and stone complex of multi-storey buildings A PROPOSAL TO HAVE THE WORKS DECLARED A PROVINCIAL HERITAGE SITE 26 September 2014

In 1998 the old National Monuments Council stated: . . . The National Monuments Council is most interested in the building complex as a whole, both the corrugated iron structure, as well as the permanent brick and stone building, and the chimney across the road. In our opinion the complex is as significant as some of the (few) remaining industrial buildings in Cape Town, and I refer particularly to the Old Caste Brewery in Woodstock and the historical buildings in the Breweries Complex in Newlands, which has been successfully restored by the well know architect, G Fagan, and is now a historical monument. Buildings of this type are becoming increasingly rare in this country and a fine example such as this is worthy of preservation. In many European countries as well as the United Kingdom and America, industrial buildings are highly valued and are re-used in a number of creative and exciting ways; these have proved to be an extremely valuable asset to local tourism.

The NMC would certainly not be prepared to consider approving the demolition of the Old Tiger Oats buildings in Moorreesburg and would suggest that the potential for creative re-use and restoration/renovation of the complex be explored.

Signed: Laura Robinson Dated: 27 August 1998

Unfortunately, since that period, the complex has gone through a marked deterioration, with elements having been sold off (illegally in my opinion). I am also of the view that the structures have been purposely allowed to arrive at their present sad state, perhaps with the view of demolition. According to the National Heritage Resources Act demolition without a permit from the relevant heritage authority is of course an offence.

On 1 December 2005 a local newspaper, Die Swartlander, ran an exposé on the deplorable state of the buildings.

Apparent previous owners were listed as Westelike Skrynwerker (Edms) Bpk of Paarl, and subsequently, as far as I am aware, as MKB, PO Box 30, Moorreesburg, 7310. Tel:  022 433 8300 Email: mkb@mkb.co.za

In a request to Heritage Western Cape and SAHRA by Swartland Heritage Foundation, in 2004, to take action, it was stated that a situation of wilful neglect existed and that steps should be taken to enforce the owner/s to rectify the situation. The Swartland is often perceived as an area of no particular heritage importance architecturally, and situations like this go some way to reinforcing this view. If the owner/s were forced to comply with the Act, it might serve as an example to others who do not want to sustain historic buildings.

In a ROD from HWC dated 29 June 2006 it was stated that BELcom decided not to approve any demolition of the building and that it should be proposed for provincial declaration and protection.

On a subsequent visit to the complex I found someone on site removing material. After contacting the police he was removed. In a letter to the police I requested that an eye be kept on the premises. The Commissioner of Police in Moorreesburg at the time replied that in his opinion ,”. . . the community will be better off if it is demolished” quoting a recent murder on site and that they could not act as a ‘security firm’.

From oral research in the town it is apparent that the Tiger Oats complex was the origins of what is now Tiger Brands (the buildings are actually on their home web page), and it was of such substance in the town that the local rugby team was essentially drawn from the staff.

Originally known as Tiger Oats, Tiger Brand's first product was a breakfast oatmeal brand called Jungle Oats. A product that is still produced by Tiger Brands. The product was first conceived by a Mr Frankel towards the end of the 19th century and was finally launched in 1925. Tiger Oat's first Mill was opened in Moorreesburg, Western Cape. A second mill was opened in Maitland, Cape Town when demand outgrew the Moorreesburg's mill's capacity in 1930. The Moorreesburg mill was abandoned in about 1987. From Wikipedia.

The Tiger Oats complex (and railway station structures across the tracks) are sad examples of how buildings which could and should have a life, are neglected until such time they become unusable. Similar structures internationally (waterfront complexes in New York and London, for example) have become sought after residential units. The Old Castle Brewery in Cape Town, to which it was compared by the NMC, is evidence of a creative solution.

Chris Murphy 083 540 6131