February 14, 2003
By Bongani Majola
COMMUNITIES are enthusiastically reclaiming public open spaces, affirming their attachment to the natural environment. On any given Sunday in the parks all over Gauteng, meat-scented smoke issues from newly built braai stands, with children running around parents and families, who themselves have brought all manner of refreshments in their bright cooler-bags.
Chilling under big colourful umbrellas, crowds relax in the picnic-induced atmosphere, enticing even the most indifferent passer-by to consider joining the fun in the open. There is no entrance charge and everybody is welcome to this form of entertainment.
Sundays will never be lazy days again in the townships, say Smirnoff, Sony Music and Gauteng youth radio station Yfm, who have seized on this newfound enthusiasm and introduced a new concept of taking the Boot Party, as they call it, to the youth of Gauteng. Though the Boot Party is clearly tailored for the youth, whole families are taking to the fun in the parks, which effectively provide alternative recreation to the traditional Sunday jazz afternoons.
On this particular Sunday afternoon, the team has chosen a revitalised open space for the launch of their project - Thokoza Park in Rockville, Soweto. The picnic bash has crowds filling the park to capacity. Previously notorious for crimes that included rape and murder, the park has been restored into a safe open space catering to whole families.
Ignoring the constructed stage from where DJs spin discs, crowds form dance circles all around the park. Spontaneous dance competitions ensue, almost resembling cock-fights, as youths take turns in the circle displaying their pantsula dance skills. Crowds become instant spectators, responding in kind by throwing coins into the circle to be collected by whomsoever is sauntering to the music beat at the time.
The competition is stiff but friendly. Pantsulas dance to the music as though they are made only of flesh, no bones. Their dance antics employ all manner of artefacts. One youth of lean build enters the circle carrying an empty bottle of cold drink, playing with it using his hands, feet and head. Remarkable spectacle and coins rain in, spurring him on.
It's now an open contest as his rival decides to take it further, entering with an empty crate of beer. He simulates a tractor driver, a mother with a baby on her back and a doctor catering to a drunk and uncooperative patient, all in his dance routines. It is pure entertainment and it goes on and on.
Awestruck crowd watches on as a young pantsula shows off his skills with a beer crate
Ward councillor Mandla Ndumo is excited about the park. "We have identified Thokoza Park as part of our mayoral project aimed at reclaiming the public spaces for the good use by communities," he says.
The community can now enjoy the park's atmosphere and environment without fear and anxiety. As part of the City of Johannesburg's mayoral project, trees have been planted and a fountain and a garden have become permanent features of the park. There is now improved lighting that makes the concrete foot-paths visible, even in the middle of the night. Braai stands have also been installed at various points, making the park ideal for family picnics any day of the week.
Cleaning and maintenance of the park now takes place on a daily basis, says Ndumo.
Situated just metres away from Regina Mundi Church, famous for its heated political "sermons" at the height of apartheid, and just on the side of the Soweto's main arterial, the Old Potchefstroom Road, the park offers an excellent view of Africa's biggest township.
The trees are regularly trimmed and a stream runs through the park, while the whole place brims with lights at night. "The only problem we have now," says Trevor Masondo, one of the organisers of the first major youth picnic in the park, "is that people refuse to go home."
However, Masondo says, the picnics are not confined to parks in Johannesburg. Others are taking place in Springs and Benoni on the East Rand, and the concept will later move to other townships in the province.
Between 12 noon and 7pm, Masondo says, people can come to the picnics "with their food and drinks and listen to some of Gauteng's top DJs spinning discs for free".
Anytime, though, Thokoza Park stands invitingly to anyone who wants to relax in its recreational space, from children to senior citizens.
