Devastating fire destroys Botha Sigcau Building, Mpondo Royal family laments loss of heritage

The AmaMpondo Royal Family in the Eastern Cape has described the destruction of the Botha Sigcau Building in Mthatha as a devastating blow to their heritage.

The landmark, which was named after a prominent family member and Mpondo monarch, was completely razed by a fire on Tuesday.

Despite the scale of the damage, provincial government authorities have yet to provide a formal update on the investigation into the cause of the blaze.

For the Royal Family, the loss of the structure is more than just a matter of infrastructure; it represents a thinning of their visible legacy in the province.

READ: KSD municipality awaits report into Mthatha building fire

“It was a building that bore our family name, and the Mpondo people are to a large part greatly underrepresented where public representation in the form of street names, statues, and buildings and so on are concerned, so it is a great loss,” said Prince Mbasa Sigcau.

The Public Works and Infrastructure Department in the Eastern Cape said assessments have yet to be conducted at the fire-gutted building.

Authorities said it is not yet safe for investigators to go inside the burnt structure, as it still poses serious health threats.