Catholic Church Hall: refreshments 15.30, meeting 16.00

APARTHEID ARCHITECTURE
Basil Brink will give an illustrated presentation that explores connections between South African architects, political power and patronage during apartheid

From the 1950s to 1970s architects who were members of the Afrikaner Broederbond (AB) or had close ties with those in power, enjoyed repeated commissions to design state-funded apartheid modernity buildings throughout South Africa. Many of these structures are still in use and some dominate our city skylines.

In stark contrast, a small group of architects who opposed apartheid and were members of the South African Communist Party or Liberal Party enjoyed no architectural patronage, but were shunned, imprisoned or forced into exile by the then National Party government.

Works by a-political architects who put architecture first are also highlighted.

The presentation concludes with a reference to Hermanus and the Group Areas Act.