The Fish Hoek Valley Historical Association will host a talk on Apartheid's forced removals on Thursday, April 10 at the Fish Hoek library.
The talk by Tazneem Wentzel, education officer at the Simon's Town Museum, will begin at 5.30pm.
Ms Wentzel has a background in international relations, social anthropology, and museum and heritage studies. Her work focuses on heritage as a means to promote social cohesion and reconciliation. Through her projects and workshops, she seeks to explore the way heritage can help address present-day challenges faced by communities.
Sayers’ Lane on the corner of Palace Hill and Waterfall roads, now home to a three-storey block of flats, housed 20 single-storey terraced cottages known as the Sayers’ Lane and Waterfall Cottages in 1830, built by the Royal Navy Works Department. Residents of the cottages were forcefully removed in 1965 under the Group Area’s Act, and the cottages were demolished in 1972.
Image: Supplied
The topic of the talk will centre on the forced removals that took place during the 1960s and 1970s from Simon's Town and surrounding areas.
These removals displaced over 7 000 residents from their homes, relocating them to areas such as Ocean View and Mitchell's Plain. The loss of homes, livelihoods, and community connections led to significant social and economic hardship, the effects of which are still evident in the area today.
The talk aims to unpack this difficult chapter of local history in order to encourage reflection and understanding.
Fish Hoek Valley Historical Association membership fees for 2025 are R50 a person and can be paid at the Fish Hoek Valley Museum or at the meeting.
Attendance costs for the talk are R20 for members and R30 for visitors, both payable at the door. All fees are payable in cash only. Attendees are asked to enter through the library doors, with the side hall located on the left. This venue should not be confused with the Minor Hall.