Metro to preserve Chris Hani’s house as a legacy landmark
The Ekurhuleni Mayor, Mzwandile Masina, officially received the keys to the house of the late struggle icon Chris Hani in Dawn Park, on November 17.
The house has been purchased by the City as part of its programme to preserve history and heritage.
Among the possible uses for the house, which has been in private hands since Hani’s death, is to turn it into a museum where people can learn more about the life and times of the SAPC leader, who was gunned down in the property’s driveway in 1993.
Plans to develop the area include turning the house into a museum, building a library, erecting a statue at a nearby park which will be linked with the house, and constructing walkways from the park to Hani’s grave in South Park Cemetery, Boksburg.
Speaking to the Dawn Park residents, who came out in large numbers to witness the handing over of the keys, the mayor said the house needs to be protected to preserve the history and heritage.
“We have been able to secure the house with the aim of protecting Hani’s legacy. We want to relive the life of Hani and are working closely with his family so that we can teach future generations about what this struggle icon stood for and how he lived,” Masina said.
He also said R50-m will be invested into the project.
He also revealed that more than 500 title deeds have been delivered to residents living in various townships in the City of Ekurhuleni, in line with Hani’s vision of giving citizens a decent life.
After the handover of the keys, the mayor and Chris Hani’s wife, Limpho Hani, took a tour around the house.
Entering the gate, there is an outline of where his body lay in the driveway.
The house bought by the City currently has no furniture, but on the walls of each of the rooms are photos representing different themes of Hani’s life.
Limpho said she remembered her husband’s body lying in a pool of blood.
“I am happy and honoured that after 23 years the City is doing the right thing.
“They always say good things take time to happen, I am glad that it finally happened.
The ANC and the SACP and the family are going to sit down and plan how this house needs to be used,” she said.
