The indigenous rondavel – a case for conservation

Abstract

Open living areas and cattle pens surrounded by thatched round huts, commonly referred to as rondavels, is the form generally associated with traditional South African architecture. The number of rondavels is, however, dwindling, due to external pressures, but since they are such a tangible manifestation of a very resilient indigenous knowledge system, this paper argues that a coordinated and comprehensive initiative is now needed to protect representative examples.

Oop woonareas en beeskrale omring deur ronde hutte met grasdakke, waarna algemeen verwys word as rondawels, is die vorm wat meestal met traditionele Suid Afrikaanse argitektuur vereenselwig word. Die aantal rondawels word egter vinnig minder as gevolg van eksterne druk, maar aangesien hulle so ’n tasbare verwesenliking van ’n baie buigsame inheemse kennis-stelsel, redeneer hierdie artikel dat ’n gekoördineerde en omvattende inisiatief nou nodig is om verteenwoordigende voorbeelde te beskerm.