The 'Mamelodi Rondavels' as place in the formative period of Bantu Education and in Vlakfontein (Mamelodi West)

Die 'Mamelodi Rondawels' as plek in die formatiewe periode van Bantoe Onderwys en in Vlakfontein (Mamelodi Wes) Die erfeniswaarde en bewaringspotensiaal van die 'Mamelodi rondawels' is onlangs as deel van 'n munisipale ekotoerismeprojek ondersoek. Die behoud van hierdie erfenisplek, gedefinieer deur 'n klein groepie geboue in die rondawelstyl word bepleit aangesien dit 'n belangrike visuele, plaaslike oorblyfsel is van die geskiedenis van Bantoeonderwys en 'n daaropvolgende stryd vir 'n nie-diskriminerende, nie-rassige gemeenskap. Die rondawelkompleks, as kern van die eertydse Pretoria Bantoe Normaalkollege [1947-] en die Kolege ya bana ba Afrika, word spesifiek geassosieer met die tersiรชre onderwysopleiding van verskye gevierde persone uit die geskiedenis van Suid-Afrika. Die Mamelodi rondawels is nie net die oudste oorblywende geboue in Mamelodi nie, maar hul kan ook begryp word as simbool van Apartheid met 'n gepaardgaande onderwysideologie en, vanuit 'n argitektuur en stadsbeplannings-perspektief, 'n gepaardgaande stadsbeplanningsideologie. Hierdie erfenisplek dien as belangrike kultuurhistoriese landmerk vir Mamelodi, Tshwane en die hele land. The 'Mamelodi rondavels' have recently been investigated as part of a Municipal ecotourism project to determine their heritage value and conservation potential. The retention of the heritage place, defined by a small group of rondavel style buildings, is important because it exists as significant visual local remnant of the history of Bantu Education and the subsequent struggle for a non-discriminatory, non-racial society. The rondavel complex, the historical core of the now defunct Pretoria Bantu Normal College [1947-] and the Kolege ya bana ba Afrika, is specifically associated with the tertiary education of celebrated citizens in South African history. The Mamelodi rondavels are not only the oldest known buildings in Mamelodi, but they may also be understood as symbols of Apartheid, its accompanying education ideology and, from an architectural and town planning perspective, its accompanying town planning ideology. This heritage place serves as an important scenic and cultural historical landmark for Mamelodi, Tshwane and the country. South African Journal of Cultural History Vol.17(2) 2003: 1-2