The historic Anglican, now non-denominational, church on Robben Island will soon be repainted and repaired to its former glory.
Peter Jäck, MD of Indawo who have been awarded the contract, said that the church is an integral part of Robben Island’s traumatic history.
This church which dates from 1841, says Jäck, was built on the orders of the British commandant of the island, Capt Richard Wolfe, who took over in 1833. It was later made responsible by the Cape colony governor, John Montagu, for improving the prisoners’ appalling living conditions on the island – and initiating the much-praised policy of putting convicts into the Bains father and son pass building teams which opened up the interior.
The scope of works on the white plastered church, which has been described by one writer as resembling an ‘ornate wedding cake’, includes plaster repairs, the filling and sealing of hairline cracks, the repair of expansion joints – and a complete repaint system, especially selected for its ability to withstand harsh climatic conditions.
Indawo hired a cargo ship to transport their materials and have been on site since 10thJanuary.
As Robben Island is a World Heritage site, all plans and the work itself have to be scrutinised by archaeologists, environmentalists, the SA Heritage Council, RIM Architectural Authorities and Groenewald Preller Architects.
The work is expected to be substantially complete by mid-February, according to Indawo’s Production Manager, Raymond Naidoo.
Indawo has played a role in renovating many historic Cape buildings. “We find it particularly rewarding to recapture the charm and appeal of old buildings,” said Jäck.
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