Collaboration crucial to protect and preserve heritage buildings in SA

Recently reported neglect and vandalism incidents at the CNA Building and Shakespeare House in Johannesburg, as well as the Old Harrismith Club in KwaZulu-Natal, highlight the need for government to work closely with insurers to ensure better risk control

This is according to Colly Mata, Commercial and Local Authorities Sales Executive at Lion of Africa Insurance, who says that while the process of insuring heritage buildings is complex, due to their design and construction, which makes them vulnerable to damage, fire and theft, collaboration between government agencies and insurers can guarantee better management and protection of these buildings. “Insurers have specialist skills and knowledge to know when most risks can occur, and can implement strategies to mitigate them accordingly.”

He says the process of insuring heritage sites in South Africa is complicated due to laws that govern how heritage buildings should be protected and preserved. The responsibility for insuring heritage sites in South Africa lies with SAHRA, a governing body that has been set up by the National Heritage Resources Act (Act No 25 of 1999). SAHRA works together with the Provincial Heritage Resources Authority agency (PHRA), which is responsible for the identification, conservation and management of heritage resources throughout provinces in South Africa.

“Although provincial and local authorities are doing a good job to manage heritage resources in South Africa, there can be great benefits derived by collaborating with specialist insurers to improve the protection and maintenance of our heritage resources.”

“The Old Harrismith Club is a good example of where an insurer would have added value by working closely with local authorities to implement proper risk control and management processes, and also making sure that the building is adequately repaired in the event of damage,” explains Mata.

He explains that underwriting risks for heritage buildings is complex in its nature and requires an insurer to completely understand the types of risks being insured against. “Risk prevention and working together with provincial authorities to apply precautionary measures is vital.”

Mata says that there are a number of critical factors that need to be considered in order to maintain and protect heritage buildings, which justifies the need for insurers to get involved - these include:

• Replacing contents that are not permanently attached to the building eg imported artifacts.

• Repair costs for buildings.

• Maintaining and replacing machinery, elevators etc.

• Cost to rebuild a totally demolished building to its original form.

• Consequential loss.

• Replacing monuments, memorials and statues.

• Risk evaluation, management and risk prevention strategies.

“Risk control and management of heritage buildings is complex and requires specialist risk advice. There is no doubt that government agencies need guidance on the wide and diverse risks encountered when managing heritage resources,” concludes Mata.