9. HERITAGE Specialist: Dr. Cobus Dreyer - Consulting ...

Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the proposed construction of a 400kV Transmission
power line between Ferrum Substation and Garona Substation - Northern Cape Province
9.3. Locality
The proposed 400 kV Transmission power line is planned from the Ferrum
Substation near Kathu to Garona Substation north of Groblershoop.
The soil consists of sterile red sand on the surface.
The Ferrum- Garona Transmission power line will pass through a slightly changing
vegetation cover, mainly limited to Eragrostis grassland, Driedoring shrubs
(Rhigozum trichotomum), Witgat (Boscia albitunca) trees and Swarthaak bushes
(Acacia mellifera). Significant stands of Sand Geelhout trees (Vaalboom)
(Terminalia sericea) are found in association with Kameeldoring trees (Acacia
erioloba), near the Kathu cemetery.
The total distance of the route was examined at regular intervals and investigated
for the occurrence of archaeological, historical and other cultural material.
9.4. Background
Cultural heritage resources can be broadly defined as physical features, both
natural and man-made, which are associated with human activity. Under South
African legislation, invisible and intangible beliefs, ideas and oral traditions are
also regarded as cultural heritage resources, on the same level as physical
cultural objects.
South African heritage legislation (Act No. 25 of 1999) regards the following as
heritage resources:
• Places, buildings, structures and equipment;
• Places to which oral traditions are attached;
• Places which are associated with living heritage;
• Historical settlements and townscapes;
• Landscapes and natural features;
• Geological sites of scientific or cultural importance;
• Graves and burial grounds, including the following:
� Ancestral graves;
� Royal graves and graves of traditional leaders;
� Graves of victims of conflict;
� Graves of important persons;
� Historical graves and cemeteries older than 60 years; and
� Other human remains not covered under the Human Tissues Act (Act Nr.
65 of 1983, as amended).
• Movable objects, including the following:
Heritage 9-2
24/07/2007