The Municipality, together with the Amafa aKwaZulu-Natali (Heritage KZN), calls for public comment on the an alternative site which would be suitable for the relocation of the historic Vasco da Gama clock and drinking fountain, currently situated on Margaret Mncadi Avenue.
The Vasco da Gama memorial clock was erected in 1897 to mark the 400th anniversary of the Portuguese explorer’s voyage to India, during which he named this area Natal on Christmas Eve, 1497. Manufactured by Macfarlane’s Saracen Foundry in Glasgow, Scotland, in cast iron to a design selected from their catalogue, it was originally placed at the corner of Mahatma Gandhi (Point) Road and Southampton Street near the Point Docks. It was relocated to Margaret Mncadi Avenue in 1969.
The clock/fountain is included in the Municipality’s Listing of Important Places and Buildings in Durban and is also protected under the KZN Heritage Act as a public memorial. The 1984 survey of historic buildings and objects noted that the present site was considered inappropriate, as the position was arbitrary with no historical or spatial significance other than possibly the Navy’s SAS Inkonkoni building, now the BAT Arts Centre, across the railway tracks. Furthermore mature trees in the gardens tend to obscure clear views of the memorial except from close by.
The Municipality first requested citizens to make comment on proposed relocation sites in 2010. However, after some consideration, the Municipality felt it important to re-open this platform to allow for more public comment.
The alternative sites to be considered are:
- Margaret Mncadi Avenue, opposite Samora Machel (Aliwal) Street, on the city side of the railway but visually linked to the Maritime Museum. Approximately 200m from the present location.
- As close as possible to the original site at Mahatma Gandhi Rd/Southampton St at the Point
- Within the developing Point Waterfront area.
- The final option is to leave the clock at its present site.
Interested parties can submit their comments and suggestions to:
The Director, Amafa aKwaZulu-Natali, 195 Langalibalele (Longmarket) Street, Pietermaritzburg
or by post to Box 2685, Pietermaritzburg, 3200 or email to built.enviro@amafapmb.co.za. Comments can also be sent via the eThekwini Municipality facebook and twitter accounts.
