| Sentech Tower | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Location within South Africa | |
| Alternative names | Brixton Tower Albert Hertzog Tower |
| General information | |
| Status | Completed |
| Type | Cantileverconcrete-shaftedtelevision tower |
| Location | Brixton,Johannesburg,Gauteng, South Africa |
| Coordinates | 26°11′33″S28°00′24″E / 26.19250°S 28.00667°E /-26.19250; 28.00667 |
| Construction started | 1961 |
| Completed | 1962 |
| Opening | 1962 |
| Height | 237 m (778 ft) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Ove Arup & Partners |
| Main contractor | Christiani & Nielsen |
| References | |
| [1][2][3][4][5] | |
TheSentech Tower, previously named theAlbert Hertzog Tower and commonly known as theBrixton Tower,[3] is a 237-metre-high (778 ft)concretetelevision tower in theBrixton suburb ofJohannesburg, South Africa, near the top of the Brixton Ridge.[6] It is a well-known and easily identifiable landmark in the city, alongside its "architectural cousin", theHillbrow Tower.[1][2][3][4][5]Although always intended for both radio and television transmission, it carried only FM radio transmissions until the 1970s.
The tower's construction commenced in 1961, and was completed in 1962. The tower was designed byOve Arup & Partners and built byChristiani & Nielsen.[7] Upon completion, the Brixton Tower was the tallest man-made structure in Africa in its time until it was overtaken by theHillbrow Tower.[2][3][5] It cost R300,000 to construct.[6]
The first transmission took place 22 December 1961. Presently, Sentech broadcasts 18 FM programmes and seven TV stations. Backup power to the tower is 1 MW using two 500 kVA Volvo generators. Towards 2001, naming rights for the tower were sold toSentech, the TV and radio signal distributor in South Africa owned by the South African Government. Up until 1982, an observation deck affording panoramic views of the city was open to the public, but was closed due to security fears. The tower viewing deck has not re-opened to the public since then.[1][2][3][4][5]
In architectural terms, the Sentech Tower is a verticalcantilever structure with areinforced concrete shaft. On windy days, the tower has been known to lean up to 2 m (6.6 ft), as measured from its uppermost mast. In addition, the tower was built to withstand winds of 186 km/h (116 mph) and gusts of up to 200 km/h (120 mph). The tower's foundation is circular, possessing a diameter of 26 m (85 ft), and it is 6 m (20 ft) wide and 2 m (6.6 ft) deep.[1][2][3]
The tower's full height is 237 m (778 ft), although some sources state that it has a lesser height of 234 m (768 ft).[1][2][3]
The Sentech Tower is situated in thesuburb ofBrixton, inJohannesburg,Gauteng, South Africa.[1][2][3][4]
| Records | ||
|---|---|---|
| Unknown | Tallest structure in South Africa 237 m (778 ft) 1962 – 1971 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Tallest structure in Africa 237 m (778 ft) 1962 – 1971 | |
| Tallest telecommunications tower in Africa 237 m (778 ft) 1962 – 1971 | ||
Authority control databases: Geographic |
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