A fresh dispute has erupted between Blantyre City Council (BCC) and the Department of Antiquities over the council’s proposal to demolish the historic Old Town Hall and replace it with a modern multi-storey complex.
BCC argues the ageing structure, which is one of the city’s oldest public buildings, has fallen into a state of disrepair and is negatively affecting the city’s image.
But heritage authorities insist the building carries significant historical value that must be preserved for future generations.
In an interview yesterday, BCC chief executive officer Dennis Chinseu said the council’s intention is to “uplift the face of Blantyre City” through a modern development that will include a convention centre and additional office space.
He said although the site appears small, engineers have already proposed a multi-storey complex that could transform the area into a more functional civic space.
“Despite that the Old Town Hall is managed by us we cannot implement the plan without involving the Department of Antiquities. But this does not mean we will erase the history completely,” Chinseu explained.
He added that BCC envisions a design that could incorporate a replica or architectural elements of the current structure on top of the new building.
“We can have a structure similar to the current Old Town Hall building on top of the multi-storey building. Because renovating the old building will just be a waste of resources,” he said.
However, the Department of Antiquities holds a sharply different view.
In a separate interview, Ministry of Sports, Youth and Culture Principal Secretary responsible for Museums and Antiquities Elizabeth Gomani-Chindevu emphasised that the Old Town Hall is not just a building, but a symbol of Blantyre’s origins and civic history in the country.
“That place has a rich history and it will be improper to demolish the building,” she said.
She stressed that the department’s mandate is to preserve historic sites and any action that destroys the original structure risks erasing an irreplaceable part of Malawi’s cultural identity.
However, Gomani-Chindevu signalled openness to dialogue.
“But there is room for discussion. So we will look into the plan and see how we can go about it,” she added.
The Old Town Hall, also known as the Queen Victoria Memorial Hall or Old Boma, was constructed between 1887 and 1891 and became the first colonial administration centre for British Nyasaland.
After the original construction, it was handed over to Sir Harry Johnston in 1891 for use as an office.
