Centenary Hut Restoration

Hi Peeps

A few things. The MCSA built the hut on or around 1991 for its 100 yrs of existence. The MCSA is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2016 with a few projects on the go, so it would seem fitting to support this. I am a bit surprised that there seems to be no official input from the MCSA KZN Section, - although a bit difficult to know who is posting on the forum. let me pop off some mails to see what their take is. Although sometimes a few guys with energy is better than waiting and hoping for some organisational help.

Also seem to recall there was an initiative from some guys at DRA (Consulting Engineering firm) a few years back to fix up the hut. Anyone know what happened there?

Replacing windows - I recently did some at the MCSA Wolkberg hut, and it is quite a job chopping out old putty - especially if you are trying to save the glass where the panes aren't broken. And where the putty is rock hard due to the age.

Hi rmagg. intrepid has been in contact with KZN Wildlife and they have given the go ahead to install polycarb panes in the windows, so the few bits of glass left will be removed. The main problem is the pigeon droppings in the hut and this first phase of the project will keep them out and make the hut usable. The other cosmetics can follow in time to come. KZN Wildlife did mention that they have a Centenary Hut contract with MCSA so your assistance and emailing will greatly assist with this project. The go ahead has only just happened so I am sure intrepid will supply all interested parties with the necessary information. MBC have also strongly offered their assistance....so it looks like a combined Berg lovers project!!

Elinda and myself will be going to Centenary Hut on the weekend of 28/29 May armed with a hammer and chisel to clean up the window frames. If anyone wants to join us please email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We will represent MBC & VE

Hi All

Popped off the mail as promised to MCSA KZN. This was their response, so looks like have their support.

"Yes, it was for the 100th celebrations (Mervin Gans/Clem Robbins/Steve Cooke and Co) , and yes, we have been approached by VE to help out with restorations,

We are keen to help out with the fixing (window pane replacement to start with, interior decoration to follow) and will be advertising the meet on the meet sheet/email loop soon.

Interesting fact is that on an online vote on VE, Centenary Hut came out tops over Giants and Bannerman in popularity.

Regards,
Murray Sanders
KZN Chair "

Cya
Roland

Interesting fact is that on an online vote on VE, Centenary Hut came out tops over Giants and Bannerman in popularity.

@ rmagg: yes this is understandable, hence the interest to get it habitable! The countdown for the Cetenary Hut window frame preparation this week end has begun

Report back on work carried out at the hut on the weekend of the 28th and 29th May.
Unfortunately, we did not receive a good response to calls for assistance, and it ended up with just Richard and myself heading up to the hut last weekend. The weather was superb and stayed that way the entire weekend. We arrived at lunchtime, and after a quick bite to eat, got straight to work. Richard tackled the front two windows and found the putty, especially in the older panes fairly easy to remove and both windows were finished by the time we left the following morning. I cut back the bushes in front of the hut and also piled up all the rocks that were lying scattered around the front of the hut. We were appalled to find plenty of evidence of people using the area immediately behind and next to the hut as a toilet and not bothering to go a good distance away – there is toilet paper and worse everywhere! Quite a bit of rubbish has been thrown into the sink in the kitchen and we found a fresh sardine can and wrappers that had been thrown down in the grass directly in front of the hut by recent hikers.
The cladding has fallen off the corner at the back of the hut, and is crumbling in a few other places – this will have to be patched up and possibly tackled once the windows have been replaced.
Hopefully the remainder of the putty removal from the windows will take place on the next planned weekend (to be announced) and from here we can move forward to the next step!

Magic... thank you for the effort. If I lived closer I'd be there with you. Such a magic spot. Will be sure to enquire what can be done before my next visit.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

I'm doing a hike in the Injasuthi area next week. We'll be 6 people sleeping over close to Centenary hut on Thursday evening. We can carry some stuff up towards the hut if required - just let me know.

Thanks for all the work Elinda and Richard! If I ever meet you in the berg I would make you both a hot chocolate

I think a long term solution to the hut maintenance would be to give the nearest hotel the responsibility to manage the hut (I assume bannerman hut works like that). It would be like any of the hotels other huts. Hikers must pay a fee to sleep there for the night. If the hotel makes money from the hut, it would automatically be maintained. The only maintenance would be to clean the litter every six months (although hikers should always take everything with them), paint the roof and fix broken windows. There doesn't have to be luxuries like water, rubbish bins etc. Keep it simple and cheap.