Cape Town - The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport in the Western Cape said they could not quantify the financial loss of historical artefacts being stolen in the province but that thieves were robbing us of our past and called for more tighter security measures at museums and places of history.
A year ago the Department revealed that since 2019, a total of 11 museums in the province were targeted by criminals.
It was also then revealed that damages and cost to museums amounted to R500 000.
The slavery iron shackles were stolen from George Museum; the Koperdeksel van Stookketel which is a copper lid from a boiler was taken from the Fransie Pienaar Museum; the brass sundial disappeared from the Bartolomeu Museum.
Two small African drums were also taken from the Genadendal Museum.
This week, Tania Colyn Head of Communications, Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport Western Cape Government said they would not quantify the financial loss due to relics being stolen and could not confirm whether any of the stolen artefacts were returned.
Just last week, news went viral about the search for the 300-year-old slave bell which was stolen at Groot Constantia.
The relic which weighs 100 kilograms and dates back to 1716 went missing from the premises of the Hoop op Constantia homestead on September 1 2024 which had been declared a National Monument by the Minister of Education in 1984.
This week, police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that the bell was still not found.
“Kindly be advised that Diepriver police registered a theft case for investigation following the theft of a bell in Groot Constantia.
“The circumstances of the incident are under investigation and no arrests have been made yet.
“Anyone with any information about this incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 1011.”
Attempts to gain comment from Groot Constantia about the latest developments proved fruitless as emails and communications were not answered.
Colyn said artefacts held an immense historical and cultural significance for our province.
“They serve as tangible connections to our past, representing the heritage, traditions, and stories of those who lived before us,” she said.
“These artefacts are not just relics; they are symbols of our shared history and identity, reflecting the development of our communities, architecture, and social customs over time. Preserving these items is crucial to maintaining the integrity of our heritage sites and providing future generations with a direct link to their cultural heritage.”
Colyn said they could not comment whether the latest spate of theft were linked to a syndicate but was appealing for more safety measures to protect artefacts.
“The recent theft raises concerns for the safety of similar bells and bronze artefacts across the province,” she added.
“It highlights the need for security interventions at heritage sites to protect these irreplaceable items.
“All stakeholders, including land owners, heritage institutions, local authorities, and security experts need to work together to implement safeguards to deter potential thefts.
“Protecting our heritage is a shared responsibility, and we must remain vigilant to prevent similar incidents.
“In terms of whether these are acts by a syndicate, that question should be directed to SAPS as the investigators of the incidents.”’
She explained it was challenging to quantify the Rand cost of stolen heritage.
“Objects, as these items are inherently irreplaceable, represent pieces of our history and culture,” she said.
“While their monetary value can be difficult to determine, what is undeniable is the loss to our collective memory and heritage.
“Each stolen object erases a piece of our shared past, severing connections to our cultural identity, traditions, and history that cannot be measured merely in financial terms.”
Zikhona Jafta of the Iziko Museum explained the historical significance of the bell which she revealed was the oldest in the country and had a rich history and connection to the farm.
She said the bell had a historic artefact date stamped 1815 and was 209-years old.
“The bell at the Castle of Good Hope, is one of the oldest in the country, dated 1690. Within the Iziko Collections, the Van Breda bell is dated 12 September 1775.
“There are many such bells still in their towers at several wine farms in the Western Cape,” she said.
“ The bell, a unique piece of craftsmanship dating back 209 years.
“While Groot Constantia itself is older, the bell has always been on the farm, and now belongs to the Groot Constantia Trust.
“The artefact has never been part of the Iziko Museum's collection.”
“The bell is steeped in slave history starting with Simon van der Stel. Van der Stel himself was of mixed race, with his maternal grandmother being a freed slave, adding a personal dimension to the historical context of the bell. Following the death of Simon van der Stel in 1712, the Groot Constantia estate was divided,” she said.
“The land, first known as Klein Constantia, was separated from the main estate.
“The property was later (before 1776) renamed Hoop op Constantia.
“The neighbouring farm owners later formed a partnership to cultivate vineyards and to develop the sweet wine of Constantia.”
Jafta explained an etching, presumably by artist Thomas Bowler, of De Hoop op Constantia depicts a distinctive U-shaped house adorned with five gables—three at the front and two on the side.
“Over time, most of these gables have vanished, leaving only the one above the front door as a remnant of its original design,” she stated.
When asked what the bell was made of, she said these types of bells were generally made from bronze – a copper and tin alloy and had distinct writing and features on it which made it unique.
“Bronze would have been used for its strength, durability, and high resistance to corrosion. During that period, most bronze bells were made specially by request in the UK,” she added.
“Thus, the lettering and rendering of this bronze bell was one of a kind. These very heavy and solidly made bells were usually securely installed in bell towers that helped protect it from the elements.
“The bell’s surface had developed a green patina over time, a result of copper corrosion from prolonged exposure to outdoor environmental conditions.
“This green patina, a relatively stable corrosion product, not only added to the bell's historical character but also contributed to its preservation, allowing it to remain in excellent condition while on permanent display.
“The bells managed time, signalled disasters like fires and other alarms, and called the enslaved to and from work, regulating their work hours.
“Bells –were a way to communicate to the people in the colony, the enslaved and the settlers alike.”
She said the theft represented not only a significant cultural loss but also highlights the vulnerabilities facing such irreplaceable artefacts.
“One cannot ascribe monetary value to such artefacts. The loss of this bell is a profound cultural setback and underscores the importance of safeguarding similar treasures. Attaching a financial value can increase the risk of future thefts,” she stated.