May 6, 2004
By Lebofsa Masha
THE community hall in Orlando East played a central role in the affairs of the local residents for more than 60 years, but over the years it became less and less key in the lives of Sowetans.
Now the area is to be revived, with the opening of a brand new multi-function venue that will be able to stage major sports and entertainment events.
The new venue offers much more space for sports and entertainment events
"In the past the residents would have to go outside Soweto in order to participate in activities that were not possible here," said facility manager Mabatho Molefe. "Now, we will be able to introduce children to new sporting codes such as handball, hockey, and indoor soccer here."
With space to accommodate 3 500 seats, the new venue has a multi-purpose floor space for events like aerobics, boxing, netball, table tennis and tennis. Social events such as funerals, weddings, church services, conferences and workshops can also be held in the hall.
Netball South Africa has already hosted an important tournament in the hall and other activities and sports are in the pipeline.
However, the new venue will not replace the old hall alongside.
Although the old hall was not a viable option for the hosting of major events it is still being used. "It is now used as a crèche and to hold small-scale events," said Region 10 communication officer, Nomvula Dlame.
And local residents are pleased the old hall has not been torn down. Habakuk Madzivhe (66) still has vivid memories of the historic building in the early days.
People used to meet at the old hall to discuss municipal problems, he said. "James 'Sofasonke' Mpanza was elected chairman of the Vulindlela committee, which was formed by the residents of Orlando East. Every Thursday the committee would sit in the hall to receive complaints from the residents of Orlando East."
From the 1930s until the 1950s it was also filled in as the local bioscope. "Every Wednesday night there would be people queuing around the hall about five times. Admission was free," Madzivhe said.
The Orlando East hall also saw the holding of the annual eisteddfod on its stage. "The late JP Mohapelwa became nationally recognised for his musical compositions," Madzivhe said. Mohapelwa composed many of the songs sung in the competitions.
On the sporting front, the hall was home to the Proper Boxing Club. Simon "Grab" Mthimkhulu, the only boxer to have knocked out Ezekiel "King Kong" Dlamini, was nurtured here.
By 1944 the hall had seen some remarkable achievements take place, including rehearsals and performances by Miriam Makeba, and the boxing matches featuring Eric "Scara" Sono, father of soccer boss Jomo, who started his boxing career here.
In 1958 the Pan Africanist Congress, led by Robert Sobukwe, confronted the African National Congress's Chief Albert Luthuli, Alfred Nzo and Oliver Tambo in the Orlando hall over the clause in the Freedom Charter that stated: "The country belongs to all who live in it, black and white". The fierce struggle that ensued led to the hall being called Sekgapa-Madi (Blood Spilling) Hall.
The following year Sobukwe led a campaign against the notorious "dompas" system and thousands of passes were thrown into a bonfire 50 metres away from the entrance of the old hall. "I threw my pass there," Madzivhe said.
However, according to Madzivhe, activity began to shift away from the Orlando venue to the Regina Mundi church hall, in Rockville, during the 1970s and 1980s.
Now, the area looks set for a revival.
Johannesburg's Region 10 will be responsible for the administration of the new venue. Anyone wishing to use the venue can contact 011 935 1662.
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