DEPARTEMENT PUBLIEKE/OPENBARE WERKE
Before the establishment of the Union of South Africa in 1910, public works activities in the four colonies were organised broadly as follows:
Cape Colony. The Secretary for Public Works was the permanent head of the department, which was also responsible for the irrigation and lighthouses and for the supervision of main roads. Incumbents were GH FOWKE (1902-4), RN HARVEY (1905) and Charles MURRAY (1906-10) the Scottish poet, who was retained at the head of the Union’s Public Works Department until formally appointed Secretary in 1912.
Transvaal. The designation of the permanent head of the department, which also controlled roads and bridges, was Chief Engineer and Secretary.
Orange River Colony. The Director of Public Works was the permanent head of the department which also had roads, bridges and irrigation under its control.
Natal. The Surveyor-General was for some time responsible for public works, roads and bridges, which were subsequently entrusted to the Department of the Attorney-General. The designation of the head of the department which dealt with them was Chief Engineer and Secretary.
At the establishment of the Union all public works and other property owned by the four colonies were vested in the Governor-General-in-Council. The control over all these government buildings and also over all bridges connecting two provinces (previously colonies) was assigned to a Public Works Department which had been created especially for that purpose.
In the course of time control over provincial and certain other government buildings was transferred to the respective provincial administrations and the departments of state concerned, including Forestry and, later, Community Development. Since 1 April 1968 the Department of Posts and Telegraphs has been responsible for its own accommodation requirements. The Department of Public Works, however, undertakes the planning and arranged for the erection of all new buildings costing more than R20 000, on a recoverable basis, for the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, which is responsible for providing sites. The more important functions of the Department of Public Works are the provision, allocation and maintenance of and control over the effective utilisation of accommodation for the government departments (including offices and residences for the Republic’s consular and diplomatic missions abroad). This entails responsibility for the design, planning and construction of public buildings; of certain university campuses and technical colleges; of interprovincial bridges (excepting those on national and special roads); of buildings for the Defence Department, including hospitals and highly technical buildings; of terminal buildings at airports; of prestige residences; and of certain State-subsidised bodies such as museums, art galleries, State libraries and zoological gardens. The department also undertakes the maintenance of certain historic buildings and renders financial assistance to certain bodies responsible for the maintenance of monuments and war graves. Furthermore, it leases accommodation required for State purposes and also furnishes all State-owned and hired accommodation as well as prestige residences in the Republic and abroad.
In addition, the administration of the Acts governing the engineers’, architects’ and quantity surveyors’ professions and functions concerning the Building and Construction Advisory Council are undertaken by the Department. South African buildings, installations and monuments abroad are also the responsibility of the department.
Secretaries of Public Works have been: Charles MURRAY (1912-24), OW STATEN (1925-31), JA MacPHAIL (1931-32), JS CLELAND (1932-39), CA CILLIERS (1939-40), TAF RHODES (1940-46), AA EALS (1946-54), Karel ROOD (1955-66), J DRIESSEN (1966-69), A HOWARD (1969- ).
[Anon. Public Works, Department of. in Potgieter, DA (Ed in Chief). 1973. Standard Encyclopaedia of South Africa (SESA). Cape Town: Nasou. Volume 9: pp. 183-184]
All truncated references not fully cited in 'References' are those of Joanna Walker's original text and cited in full in the 'Bibliography' entry of the Lexicon. List of projects With photographs
 With notes
Addington Children's Hospital - KZN Children's Hospital: 1931. Addington, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal - Architect
| Appeal Court: 1929. Bloemfontein, Free State - Architect
| Battle of Draaibosch Memorial: 1957. Komgha, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Benoni High School - now Willowmoore High: 1922 : 1934. Benoni, Gauteng - Architect
| Bridge over the Spekboom River (Schalk Burger Bridge): 1964. Mashishing (Lydenburg), Mpumalanga - Architect
| Butterworth Public School - Butterworth High School: 1881. Butterworth, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Court House: 1914. Heidelberg, Gauteng - Architect
| Court of Appeal: 1929. Bloemfontein, Free State - Architect
| Deeds Office: 1933. Qonce (King William's Town), Eastern Cape - Architect
| Fever Hospital: n.d.. Braamfontein, Johannesburg, Gauteng - Architect
| Free State Psychiatric Complex: n.d.. Bloemfontein, Free State - Architect
| GaMothle - was Bantu Affairs Commissioner: 1932. Tshwane (Pretoria), Gauteng - Architect
| General Post Office - Grand Central: c1940. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect
| Government Buildings - Third Raadzaal - National Museum of Afrikaans Literature: 1875 : 1895 : 1906 : 1911. Bloemfontein, Free State - Architect 1911
| Government Printing Works: 1896 : 1932. Tshwane (Pretoria), Gauteng - Architect
| Groote Schuur Hospital: 1932. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect
| Groote Schuur Hospital Children's Ward: 1932. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect
| Gunner's Mess, South African Mounted Riflemen Barracks: 1915. Mthatha, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Havenga Bridge: 1934-1935. Petrusville, Northern Cape - Engineer
| Hoër Seunskool Helpmekaar Boys High School: 1926 : 1945 : pre 1956. Johannesburg, Gauteng - Architect 1926
| Hospital: 1924. Cathcart, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Hospital: pre-1921. KwaMaqoma (Fort Beaufort), Eastern Cape - Architect
| Hospital: pre-1921. Montagu, Western Cape - Architect
| Hospital: pre-1921. Riversdale, Western Cape - Architect
| Hospital: 1939. Standerton, Mpumalanga - Architect
| ISCOR Office Block: c1915. Tshwane (Pretoria), Gauteng - Architect
| Iziko South African National Gallery: 1930. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect
| Johannesburg Meteorological Observatory: 1904. Observatory, Johannesburg, Gauteng - Architect
| Law Courts: 1934. Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape - Architect
| Law Courts: 1910. Central, Johannesburg, Gauteng - Architect
| Lukasrand Tower: n.d.. Tshwane (Pretoria), Gauteng - Architect
| Magistrate's Court: 1925. Cathcart, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Magistrate's Court: 1934. Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape - Architect
| Magistrate's Court: pre 1934. Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape - Architect
| Magistrates Court: 1941?. Heidelberg, Gauteng - Architect
| Magistrates Offices: n.d.. Zeerust, North West - Architect
| Magistrates' Court: 1920. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect
| Main Post Office - Jeppe Street: 1933-1935. Johannesburg, Gauteng - Architect
| Mental Hospital: n.d.. Bloemfontein, Free State - Architect
| Mount Road Power Station: 1931. Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape - Architect
| NCO's Mess for 40 Men, South African Mounted Riflemen Barracks: 1915. Mthatha, Eastern Cape - Architect
| New Magazine, South African Mounted Riflemen Barracks: 1915. Mthatha, Eastern Cape - Architect
| North End Swimming Baths : 1930. North End, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape - Architect
| Old Arts Building - University of Pretoria: 1911. Tshwane (Pretoria), Gauteng - Architect
| Oliewenhuis - Governor General's Residence, now Art Museum: 1941. Bloemfontein, Free State - Architect
| Oliver Tambo International Airport: 1960s. Johannesburg, Gauteng - Architect
| Ou Lettere gebou - University of Pretoria: 1911. Tshwane (Pretoria), Gauteng - Architect
| P.E.M. Health Centre: 1930. North End, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape - Architect
| Parktown Boys' High School: 1922. Parktown, Johannesburg, Gauteng - Architect
| Parktown High School for Girls - Main Building: c1922. Parkview, Johannesburg, Gauteng - Architect
| Police Station: n.d.. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Post Office: 1938 ?. Alberton, Gauteng - Architect
| Post Office: 1937. Balfour, Mpumalanga - Architect
| Post Office: 1938. Balfour, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Post Office: c1935 ?. Bethulie, Free State - Architect
| Post Office: 1934 ?. Brakpan, Gauteng - Architect
| Post Office: 1933. Burgersdorp, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Post Office: 1940. Caledon, Western Cape - Architect
| Post Office: 1934. Calvinia, Northern Cape - Architect
| Post Office: c1935. Cathcart, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Post Office: 1937 ?. Coligny, North West - Architect
| Post Office: 1938. Dordrecht, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Post Office: 1925. East London, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Post Office: c1920 ?. Vincent, East London, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Post Office: c1930. Southernwood, East London, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Post Office: 1938 ?. Elliotdale, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Post Office: c1935. Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal - Architect
| Post Office: 1937 ?. Florida, Gauteng - Architect
| Post Office: 1937. Fouriesburg, Free State - Architect
| Post Office: 1948. George, Western Cape - Architect
| Post Office: 1934 ?. Germiston, Gauteng - Architect
| Post Office: 1938. Gordon's Bay, Western Cape - Architect
| Post Office: c1935. Walmer, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape - Architect
| Post Office: 1935. Greylingstad, Mpumalanga - Architect
| Post Office: 1938. Groblershoop, Northern Cape - Architect
| Post Office: 1939 ?. Halfway House, Gauteng - Architect
| Post Office: 1940. Heidelberg, Gauteng - Architect
| Post Office: 1940. Irene, Gauteng - Architect
| Post Office: c1938. Parkview, Johannesburg, Gauteng - Architect
| Post Office: 1936. Kalk Bay, Western Cape - Architect
| Post Office: 1936. Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal - Architect
| Post Office: c1938. Krugersdorp, Gauteng - Architect
| Post Office: 1920. KwaNojoli (Somerset East), Eastern Cape - Architect
| Post Office: 1936. Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Post Office: 1930. Malmesbury, Western Cape - Architect
| Post Office: c1938. Margate, KwaZulu-Natal - Architect
| Post Office: 1937. Marseilles, Free State - Architect
| Post Office: c1935. Memel, Free State - Architect
| Post Office: c1937. Ngqeleni, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Post Office: 1937. Noordhoek, Western Cape - Architect
| Post Office: c1920. Ntabozuko (Berlin), Eastern Cape - Architect
| Post Office: 1959. Oudtshoorn, Western Cape - Architect
| Post Office: 1936-37. Paarl, Western Cape - Architect
| Post Office: 1936. Parys, Free State - Architect
| Post Office: 1939. Petrusville, Northern Cape - Architect
| Post Office: c1938. Port St John's, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Post Office: 1937. Qumbu, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Post Office: 1940. Randfontein, Gauteng - Architect
| Post Office: 1936. Reddersburg, Free State - Architect
| Post Office: 1937 ?. Riebeek East, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Post Office: 1937 ?. Roodepoort, Gauteng - Architect
| Post Office: 1937. Sabie, Mpumalanga - Architect
| Post Office: c1940. Senekal, Free State - Architect
| Post Office: 1938 ?. Springs, Gauteng - Architect
| Post Office: 1937. St James, Western Cape - Architect
| Post Office: 1938. Tsomo, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Post Office: c1934. Tzaneen, Limpopo - Architect
| Post Office: 1937. uMhlali, KwaZulu-Natal - Architect
| Post Office: 1937 ?. Vaalwater, Limpopo - Architect
| Post Office: 1951. Vereeniging, Gauteng - Architect
| Post Office: 1939. Vrede, Free State - Architect
| Post Office: 1938. Winburg, Free State - Architect
| Post Office - Second: 1934. Muizenberg, Western Cape - Architect
| Post Office and Telephone Exchange: n.d.. Komani (Queenstown), Eastern Cape - Architect
| Privates' Canteen, South African Mounted Riflemen Barracks: 1914. Mthatha, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Road Bridge over the Kowie River - Henry Putt Bridge: 1989. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape - Engineer
| Road Bridge over the Gcuwa River: 1944. Butterworth, Eastern Cape - Engineer
| Road Bridge over the Great Fish River - Boy Retief Bridge: 1956. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Road Bridge over the Komati River (Stoltz Bridge): 1967. Carolina, Mpumalanga - Architect
| Road Bridge over the Kraai River: n.d.. Barkly East, Eastern Cape - Architect
| Road Bridge over the Orange River - General Hertzog Bridge: 1935-1937. Aliwal North, Eastern Cape - Engineer
| Rosebank Telephone Exchange: n.d.. Rosebank, Johannesburg, Gauteng - Architect
| State Library: 1937-1940. Tshwane (Pretoria), Gauteng - Architect
| Supreme Court Buildings: 1914. Johannesburg, Gauteng - Architect
| Totius School: 1951 : 1955 : 1961. Bellville, Western Cape - Architect 1955 : 1961
| University of Fort Hare, Henderson Hall : 1942. Alice, Eastern Cape - Architect
| University of Fort Hare, Stewart Hall: 1919. Alice, Eastern Cape - Architect
| University of Pretoria Transvaal University College Building (Ou Lettere Gebou / Old Arts Building): 1911. Tshwane (Pretoria), Gauteng - Architect
| University of Pretoria, Communication Pathology Building: 1930. Tshwane (Pretoria), Gauteng - Architect
| University of Pretoria, Student Affairs Building: 1915. Tshwane (Pretoria), Gauteng - Architect
| Village Hall and Library: 1923 : 1965. Irene, Gauteng - Architect
| Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital: 1892 : 1907. Tshwane (Pretoria), Gauteng - Architect 1907
| Westlake Technical High School: 1968. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect
| Wool Exchange: n.d.. Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape - Architect
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Books citing PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Bakker, Karel A, Clarke, Nicholas J. 2014. Eclectic ZA Wilhelmiens : A shared Dutch built heritage in South Africa. Pretoria: Visual Books. pp 87, 88
| Fisher, RC, Le Roux, SW. 1998. Architecture of the Transvaal. Pretoria: UNISA. pp 82, 83, 86, 87, 91, 129, 130, 136, 207, 216, 218
| Fisher, Roger & Clarke, Nicholas. 2014. Architectural Guide : South Africa. Berlin: DOM Publishers. pp 12
| Greig, Doreen. 1971. A Guide to Architecture in South Africa. Cape Town: Howard Timmins. pp 100
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