Gauteng Business 2016 edition

PROFILE Constitution

PROFILE Constitution Hill Dedicated to remembering past struggles, Constitution Hill is a site of consciousness and conscience. Located on the site of Johannesburg’s infamous Old Fort Prison Complex, where many apartheid struggle heroes were persecuted, Constitution Hill is a multi-million rand inner city regeneration project. The intention with the project, anchored by the South African Constitutional Court, is to develop the available portions as iconic infrastructure in such a way that it is sensitive to the context, the architecture as well as the overall ambition of the stakeholders. The site houses the Women’s Gaol Museum, Number Four Museum and the Old Fort Museum. The Constitutional Court and other strategic tenants play an educational role focusing on constitutionalism, human rights, and democracy. Boasting a variety of multipurpose venues, suitable for conferencing, performance, a large array of events and for public activities and programmes, this national heritage site reflects the stories of South Africa’s turbulent past and its extraordinary transition to democracy. Once a place of injustice and brutality, where South Africa’s leading political activists (including Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were detained), the site has been transformed into a place of solidarity and democracy and today it boasts of a total of 21 indoor and outdoor venues spread over three buildings ranging in capacity from 20 to 1 200 guests. Apart from hosting engaging and gripping exhibitions, Constitution Hill, or ConHill, as it is famously known, is also open to the public for guided tours and has become an important platform for heritage, education, and tourism related programmes. With its rich history and character, Constitution Hill boasts the ideal platforms to educate and learn about South Africa’s story. The Constitution Hill Development Company (ConHill) was established in order to set up the appropriate management arrangements to ensure the delivery of heritage, education and tourism programmes, including key functions that would realise the overall vision for the site and contribute to the revitalisation of the inner-city. Programmes Heritage, Education and Tourism Programme (HET): Through this programme, Constitution Hill promoted social entrepreneurship through the development and hosting of creative works. It also GAUTENG BUSINESS 2016 62

PROFILE promoted active citizenry, patriotism and civic pride while providing a platform for dialogue. Tourism Development: Constitution Hill’s offerings directly impact on the tourism sector. Last year the site accounted for footfall totalling over 1 279 million, thus directly contributing towards tourism development in the province, attracting both domestic and international tourists. Creative Sector impact: The site facilitated and hosted 20 exhibitions. These were developed in collaboration with creative workers and thus had an impact on temporary job creation. Education Development: Public programmes enhance responsible and active citizenry through the participation of citizens, while educational programmes are closely aligned to the history of South INFORMATION Entrance fees: R55 per adult, R27.50 for pensioners and R22 for students/children for a tour of 3 sections of the prison (Women’s Jail, Old Fort and Number Four Prisons) and the Constitutional Court lasting two hours. Opening times: Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00 (last tour is at 16:00) Wednesday 09:00 – 14:00 (last tour is at 13:00) Saturday & Sunday 10:00-15:00 (last tour departs at 14:00) Tours run are every 30 minutes. Booking required for groups of 10 or more people. Venue Hire: The site boasts of a total of 21 Indoor and outdoor venues spread over three buildings ranging in capacity from 20 to 1,200 guests For booking enquiries email info@constitutionhill.org.za Africa and constitutional education. The site hosted 63 public programmes and 83 educational programmes last year. Opportunities The site is blessed with investment opportunities including heritage tourism through the proposed establishment of the Judicial College, a Struggle Hero Visitor’s Centre and a boutique hotel; the development of a Justice Precinct; and other commercial and housing developments, cultural tourism initiatives, archives and libraries and recreational facilities. An example of one such investment opportunity is the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency’s (GGDA) Investment Project Constitution Hill Redevelopment Project. Aim of the GGDA project A proposal was submitted to develop the site with a Justice Precinct that will include various offices for the Chief Justice, Chapter 9 Institutions, the Judicial Institute and the Court Management Agency and other related activities. The development, which is proposed to be approximately 105 000 square metres in area, will become a national icon and is directly related to the location of the Constitutional Court. It will also ensure development in the Inner City of Johannesburg. It is estimated that the project would generate about 250 construction jobs. Possible partners for the project include National Treasury, the Independent Development Corporation (IDC), the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), the National Department of Arts & Culture, the City of Johannesburg, the JDA and the Chief Justice Office. CONTACT INFO Physical address: 11 Kotze Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg Tel: +27 11 381 3100 Email: info@constitutionhill.org.za Website: www.constitutionhill.org.za 63 GAUTENG BUSINESS 2016