November 30, 2005
By Ndaba Dlamini
AT 90 years old, Martha Maria Fouche of Westbury, looking very frail and leaning heavily on the arm of a relative, yesterday finally received the title deeds to her house from Executive Mayor Councillor Amos Masondo, at a moving ceremony at the Jan Hofmeyer Recreation Centre.
Masondo was on a fact-finding tour of Region 4, accompanied by mayoral committee members and ward councillors from the region.
Fouche and 40 other Westbury and Jan Hofmeyer residents were happy people when they became proud owners of their own homes, lock, stock and barrel, thanks to the Regularisation and Transfer of Ownership programme being implemented by the City in partnership with the Gauteng department of housing.
Planting a tree at Kretschmar Park, Westbury
(Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)
The next batch of title deeds will be handed over to recipients early in February next year, Masondo said.
"The venue of this ceremony is relevant. Jan Hofmeyer was a person who stood for particular ideals, a person who believed in the future of South Africa in the darkest of days," he said.
"He believed in the equality of all human beings regardless of race. His ideals have materialised and today many people who were denied the right to own houses will get that chance they have been waiting for for a very long time."
Crown Mines Property
Prior to handing over the title deeds, Masondo visited Crown Mines Property west of Johannesburg. The entire area, which was declared a heritage site, is set for office park development. According to Steven Sack, the director of arts, culture and heritage services in the City, this may negatively affect the site.
"The property is at risk and people who are living here will be forced out if the developments go ahead. The developers, however, have indicated that the Crown Mine Hall, which is the central core of the site, will be retained while some sections will be knocked down."
Some residents were unhappy about their possible removal. Rayson Danayi Nyadenga, a sculptor originally from Zimbabwe, said his business would be affected if plans to develop the area went ahead. His sentiments were echoed by scores of residents who had gathered to see the mayor.
Sharon Flats
Next was a visit to Sharon Flats in Riverlea. Recently upgraded through the extended public works programme, the residents' delight was reflected in the energy of the welcome party organised for the mayor and his delegation.
Ewald Julius, a resident, said there had been a "very big improvement" in the state of the flats. Security has been improved with the erection of a fence. An electric gate, he said, would make him even happier.
Masondo lit a candle as part of the campaign to boost awareness of HIV/Aids, which is running until World Aids Day on 1 December.
In New Kathrada, 126 families are expected to benefit from the three-roomed houses that are being built. Fahdil Moosa, councillor for Ward 68, said three units had been completed for inspection and most houses would be complete and ready for occupation within the next two weeks.
Christmas came early for development netball and football teams, which were given sports kits by Masondo. He said he hoped that future national champions would spring from New Kathrada.
Training
A short trip later, Masondo was welcomed to the Region 4 Transformation and Development Centre in Westbury by a party of children from a local crèche, all shouting their greetings.
At the centre a six-week course in basic business entrepreneurial skills is being conducted for residents in "to capacitate candidates" to become self-sustaining, according to Eric Khoza, the course facilitator.
About 23 women are on a 38-day catering course, and their spick-and-span kitchen has been recently renovated. They usually sell their confectionery to the community, but the mayor and his delegation were given a taste of their cakes.
While at the centre, Masondo handed out 10 identity documents to residents. In partnership with the Department of Home Affairs, a victim empowerment programme (VEP) has been established by Region 4 to help residents acquire identity documents.
"This handing over ceremony represents the first efforts of the programme, which was launched about a year ago, to help residents beat long queues at the Department of Home Affairs," said VEP secretary Monty Maphike.
"On Wednesday [30 November] we will hand over the second batch of 40 identity documents."
Ziyaad Mohamed, 18, was overjoyed when he received his ID book. "I will keep it in a safe place because if I lose it, it will be difficult to get a new one," he said.
Then, when it was time for the mayoral delegation to leave, the crèche's children chanted their goodbyes.
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