Ms Valda Gossmann, from the Bruma Residents’ Association, is thankful that the clubhouse in Bruma has a new lessee.
She said the clubhouse in Bruma, now known as the Morninghill Country Club, is “looking really smart”.
She commended the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) for putting ‘an end to a nightmare’ by ridding the clubhouse of its previous tenants and squatters, and leasing the building to new tenants.
“The clubhouse in Bruma is starting to look really good. Well done to the JPC and particularly, to Mr Fanis Sardianos and Johan Jansen van Vuuren,” she said.
Ms Gossmann said that since 2001, she and Mr Rudi Fritz battled to address the problems at the clubhouse.
Regular meetings were held with council officials, including those at the Sports and Recreation Department, and lawyers to resolve the matter.
“To say that we were caught in a legal nightmare between the JPC and the illegal tenants would be an understatement. The clubhouse deteriorated from bad to worse. The tennis club moved out. There were illegal transactions happening, squatters moved in, animals were slaughtered and so forth.
“Yet, Mr Fritz and I persisted. Former councillor, Ms Shirley Ancer, tried to assist. She even came along to monthly meetings to show support for the residents. Vagrants finally moved into the clubhouse and stripped it. It became their local hideout. In the meantime, the JPC won the legal case against the illegal tenant in the High Court and an order was issued to remove them immediately,” said Ms Gossmann.
In 2008, the lessee of the property was evicted after a failed attempt in the Constitutional Court to continue operating.
The facility was finally leased again to new tenants last year.
Ms Lola Verlaque was awarded the tender to lease the property.
Her aim is to create a venue where people can meet, relax and adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Not long after she obtained a lease, the tennis courts were refurbished. Her aim is to also provide other sports and recreational activities, and bring the community together.
Ms Gossmann said, “It took long hours, over many years, but we eventually succeeded – 13 years later. The bottom line is that it can be done through sheer perseverance and persistence.”
