Buffalo City’s heritage sites are being left to deteriorate, with years of vandalism, poor maintenance and delays in restoration raising questions about the municipality’s preservation of the city’s historical landmarks.
From the vandalised Multicultural Man statue on the Esplanade to the deteriorating warrior statue at the Duncan Village Massacre Memorial, sites across KuGompo City continue to bear the scars of neglect.
A symbol of peace, the Multicultural Man is still missing bronze doves stolen by vandals years ago.
The statue forms part of a series of works by Italian artist Francesco Perilli installed in cities including Toronto, Sarajevo, Changchun and San Pedro in Los Angeles.
Former Italian vice-consul Marina Marchetti, who organised the donation and installation of the statue, said she was disappointed by the continued vandalism.
“This is not the first time that the memorial has been vandalised, and BCM had promised to ask the sculptor, Italian artist Francesco Perilli, to repair the statue,” Marchetti said.
“I doubt the municipality has enough funds to repair the structure, as it needs to be rebuilt from scratch, and the actual material is from Italy, which is a separate cost.
"We cannot keep donating pieces that will be stolen again.”
BCM spokesperson Luzuko Buku said the municipality recognised the cultural and historical significance of its heritage sites and regarded their maintenance and protection as an ongoing priority.
He said another restoration of the Multicultural Man was planned for the 2026/27 financial year at an estimated cost of R300,000, with materials to be reconsidered because of the coastal environment and previous theft of metal components.
DA caucus deputy chair Geoff Walton said vandalism and poor maintenance were both concerns.
“No heritage should be damaged or defaced.
"But equally concerning is the deterioration of our heritage sites through lack of maintenance, poor protection, or simple disregard by the municipality and others charged with that responsibility,” Walton said.
The Duncan Village Massacre Memorial is meanwhile subject to an intervention led by the national department of sport, recreation, arts & culture, with the SA Heritage Resources Agency as implementing agency.
The original intervention, including the warrior statue, cost R750,000, with R500,000 contributed by the department and R250,000 by BCM.
Buku said concerns had since been raised about whether the warrior statue was an appropriate representation of the massacre.
“The current process includes consideration of its possible relocation to the East London Museum and the development of a more appropriate memorial intervention,” he said.
A structural engineer has been appointed and further stakeholder consultation is planned.
Walton said deterioration at other sites, including the Cenotaph, reflected a broader maintenance problem.
A wooden structure at the Cenotaph entrance had deteriorated to the point where it was considered dangerous, he said.
BCM said other heritage assets had suffered stolen signage and gates, damaged inscriptions and fencing, and damage to historic buildings and artefacts.
The municipality is considering improved lighting, surveillance, fencing, routine maintenance and increased law-enforcement visibility.
Restoration is also being pursued at World War 1 memorial sites in Qonce and KuGompo City, though implementation remains subject to procurement and budget processes.
Buku said funding remained a significant constraint and the municipality would seek additional funding and partnerships.
“Sustainable heritage conservation requires cooperation between government, communities, heritage authorities, law-enforcement agencies and other stakeholders."