Aged infrastructure and “new residents”
This area features some of the oldest buildings and history within Alberton.
The RECORD joined councillor Tian Kotzé in touring the northern areas of Alberton that falls under Ward 37.
This area features some of the oldest buildings and history within Alberton. Ward 37 is the location of two informal settlements within Alberton.
The first is located on the corner of Gerrit Maritz Street and 2nd Avenue. The second is located on Union Street on the site of an old train station.
One of the settlements are on PRASA property.
Residents have for a long complained about the settlements, especially considering that the area supports many of Alberton’s businesses. Attempts have been made in the past to relocate some of these people but none have been completely successful.
The areas in Alberton North have also for a long time been subject to problems with electricity, with regular outages.
According to Kotzé, some of these outages can be linked to the aging infrastructure. A new problem, however, is the installation of fibre that has led to many of the power lines being damaged as a result of the digging.
A part of history that is slowly being lost is the old Alberton Town Hall.
The hall is no longer in use and has fallen into a state of disrepair, especially in the rooms that are adjoined to the hall.
Proposals have been made in the past to use the hall as office space but nothing has trasnpired.
