Members of Parliament and top business owners have been invited to spend a night in Alex township to understand the residents’ dire situation.
“We will accommodate them for a day or two so that they can experience the effects of social malaise, causes of crime and despondency, and the daily pain and suffering of their compatriots,” philanthropist Linda Twala said. This in reference to the squalor, crime and vice besieging Joburg’s oldest township which borders Sandton, Africa’s richest square mile. “It’s an antithesis of democracy, while some enjoy [its benefits], Alex residents see as pie in the sky.”
Twala’s sentiments come as hope fades for residents after government’s broken promises of providing housing, poor service delivery which has resulted in intermittent protests that sometimes end with the destruction of property, and the inconclusive investigations of housing-related corruption.
He added that these failings were compounded by the absence of bylaw implementation which has resulted in shacks being illegally constructed on pavements and recently near the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court.
Twala believed this had encouraged all forms of criminal activities with traders boldly conducting business illegally on pavements, and the same traders attacking, with impunity, Metro police officers trying to remove them from the Freedom Square precinct.
He said after a night’s stay in Alex, the invitees would realise the negative results of the government’s inaction. “It will force them to ensure resources for developing the township are not diverted.” This said in reference to millions of rands allocated for housing during the Mbeki and Zuma presidencies which allegedly disappeared resulting in particularly, many elderly residents living in squalor. The broken promises, he added, were carried over by successive City administrations.
“The DA has also failed to restore to claimants, tittle deeds for homes and properties which were expropriated by the previous regime,” Twala claimed.
He urged previous residents of Alexandra who have become financially successful, not to forsake the place. “Don’t forget where you come from and plough back to assist relatives and others you left behind.”
Twala also urged businesses that benefitted from the local economy to assist in housing related developments such as toilets, public amenities and social support. “Collectively, we can move mountains in the interest of those in less fortunate circumstances. It will also encourage others with a heart for Alex to come aboard.”
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