Unite to solve Alex’s problems – Twala
ALEXANDRA – Philanthropist pleads for unity in problem-ridden Alex
Alex’s foremost philanthropist Linda Twala is distraught by the unending problems besetting Joburg’s oldest township.
Twala urged for positive-oriented leadership and solutions as a narrative continues to deepen a negative perception of some leaders’ involvement in the problems which seem to compound without a solution in site. The perceptions are of tensions said to derive from groups that are polarised along with different political and other interests. This, at a time when the general public anticipates solutions to their social and economic struggles through the delivery of promises made during the elections, in council and ward meetings since the advent of democracy.
The challenges are currently subject of probes on human rights abuse, maladministration and corruption on the part of past and present government officials specifically relating to the development and allocation of Alex Renewal Project houses and service delivery in general.
Hesitant to venture into the matter, Twala appealed for collaborative leadership and an end to fights. “I will be grateful if there is peace and harmony in the township. A spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness on each other’s wrongs is essential for our stability and the progress we all desire. We should aspire to be remembered by the future generations, for the good we did.”
Twala urged all leaders to act in non-partisan ways to ensure the land, which has been identified for houses for those who have languished in the housing waiting list for over two decades, is acquired and developed quickly. “It’s essential to ease the stresses and palpable tension impacting everyone before they boil over.”
Twala also touched on other problems which he said would have long been resolved through united leadership. “Besides the deteriorating roads, our graveyards – in particular the old Alex cemetery – is a sorry site of neglect, disrespect and unjustifiable disregard in a township that holds a lot of history about the country.
“Many stalwarts lie buried in a place that’s desecrated and dilapidated daily.”
He urged for stand-out leadership and following a delegation to the site by City officials preceding a planned clean-up campaign later this month. “All residents, church members and others from Soweto, Tembisa, Diepsloot, Pretoria, Mpumalanga and elsewhere with relatives buried there to participate in the campaign which will also be announced on radio.”
Twala added, “We need to restore the dignity of our parents, relatives and heroes buried there than leave their graves to be trampled day and night, tombstones vandalised, stolen and reused elsewhere and the place be a site of crime and rape with disused condoms strewn all over.”
He renewed a request he made in 1984 for the site to have a solid surrounding wall, gated as before, have a caretaker’s room and a guard engaged together with rangers to patrol the area and, a scroll of honour for the deceased be erected. Twala doubted that those who fouled the place could let anyone do the same at their own family or community grave sites.
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