Roeland Street, its your history come explore it

By: Samane Jnr Marks

Roeland street is a home of knowledge one should walk through when visiting Cape Town, South Africa. It is situated in the heart of town bustling and forming the amazing east district of city side precinct. This historical street starts from De Waal drive and throughout the N2 going to the Parliament of South Africa where the St Johns Street meets right infront of the Parliament.

Roeland is a home to institutions of paramount importance. The central fire station as the swift aid responder in case of any emergency, South Africa’s Heritage Resource Agency, St. Mary Cathedral, Amazon Headquarters, and Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s former research hub building of informatics and Design.

CPUT is the largest University of Technology in the Western region. It boasts students with several learning campuses with more than 70 Study programmes. It was recently awarded for being the first SA’s learning institution to partner with Space X “for a falcon 9 launch of transporter 3.” The launch took part at Cape Canaveral Space force station in Florida, on January 14th, 2022, on a Friday.

A Midday Breath-taking view of the quiet Roeland street: Credits Samane Jnr M

The Amazon building headquarters on the right hand-side with black skyscrapers texture is a new development in Cape Town. It is set to be used as the base of Africa’s operations. Amazon’s building has a feel of stepping into the future with an amazing view of the lion’s head Mountain that is approximately 10 km away from Roeland.

The Mountain is between the global iconic Table Mountain and Signal Hill forming an alluring view of Cape Town. It is a very excellent hiking trail with beautiful and breath-taking views.

The Cape Town City mayor Plato Dan have announced that the arrival of the Amazon Headquarters. ‘Is a new significant dawn to boost the economy and the people of Cape Town in the aftermath of the national covid-19 lockdown. The development offers many economic, social and environmental benefits for the area. It’s an investment driving institution to vigour the economy of South Africa.’

The Left view of the Western Cape Archives and Record Service :Credits Samane Jnr M

Right at the middle tip of Roeland Street lies the prestigious institution consisting of gems and ancient records. Walking throughout the street you’ll learn the street holds plenty of History and significance. It is vicariously compelling one, with curiosity passion of empowering their knowledge to take a plunge in the past for unfamiliar truth of information at the Western Cape Archives and Record services.

The Archive’s façade structure has a feel of the foregone era and the ancient regime with a large steel door welcoming you at the entrance of the institution with South Africa’s flag.

The institution is an elite of the Western Cape province due to records of eminent archives. A further grand entrance into the historical landmark, one is welcomed with a classy feel of iconic picturesqueness of the present era.

The building previously was the famous street Prison which its construction was finished in 1859. The Archives was later built between 1986-1989. Its reminiscent façade structure had its setting of more than a few fascinating stories during its tenure.

Maxine Khan one of the longest serving archivists said “the prison had its fair share on the 1918 Influenza Epidemic. Prisoners and the department staff were stuck down. The copying mechanism used during that time was turning the Prison into an accessory hospital to cure prisoners and save their lives as death was lurking.”

Head Manager, Erika Leroux have elaboratively touched base that post to 1970s the prison was closed. “The prison department vacated the establishment after years of selective use, and later in 1989 was replaced by the archives.”

Titivated view of the ancient structure of the Roeland street Prison: Credits Samane Jnr M

The structure of the building is the original phase of the prison. Which is still preserved, the inside totally changed and built from the scratch with a new feel of the present era. The Archives reigns to educate the society with reminiscent knowledge of 10-50 years back available at their fingertips.

The Archivists down to Auxiliary service officers kindly offers cordial help and reception. Access is quite easy and free to all. What’s required for in-person visits is to sign in and you’ll be directed to the reading room were files are accessed.

If you’ve came to terms that ancient reading is your liking. Look no further than visiting the Archives, it’s worth nothing but a trip of knowledge empowerment.

The late memoirist Maya Angelou has uttered that “the lovers of romance can go elsewhere for satisfaction but where can the lovers of history turn to if not to history?”

A step in the Western Cape Archives and record services establishment brings a feel of the reminiscent aura. One gets to instil the past experiences and understand the life stance at that time.