The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Ward 107 leader has bemoaned what he called the ‘unashamed waste of resources on the white elephant that is the Nelson Mandela Museum’.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Alex News just before their shack dwellers rally on 16 April at the Dr Knak Primary School, Ward 107 EFF communications officer Kgabo Semenya castigated the City of Johannesburg for the multi-millions wasted on the construction of the museum, better known as the Alexandra Heritage Centre.
“They [City of Johannesburg] have wasted millions upon millions on this project after failing to complete its construction for the past 20 years. Construction work on this white elephant has changed hands several times from one contractor to the other,” moaned Semenya about the state of affairs regarding the museum on the corner of 7th Avenue and Richard Baloyi Street.
“The project has now been handed over to the Johannesburg Development Agency which will appoint a fourth, if not, fifth contractor to work on the project. Imagine how much money has gone down the drain so far,” lamented Semenya,
He said the white elephant had not only robbed Alex taxpayers of millions but had also robbed the community of potential income-generating opportunities from tourists who flock to the township day in and day out.
Alex News visited the centre on 16 April and discovered nothing new. Halls that were last touched more than 20 years ago still stand empty, with no sign of life or activity.
In her last visit to the centre in 2012, former Agang South Africa leader, Dr Mamphela Ramphele described her sight of the centre as, “… disappointing to see a centre with bare walls and nothing happening. Only God knows what happened to that money since 2005.”
The Johannesburg Development Agency hopes to ensure that the township’s Madiba memory does not fade and that the centre finally crosses the finish line.
