Mayor receives keys to Hani’s house
Mayor said the house needs to be protected to preserve the history and heritage.
Ekurhuleni mayor Clr Mzwandile Masina recently received the keys to the house of the late struggle icon Chris Hani, in Dawn Park, Boksburg.
The house has been purchased by the City of Ekurhuleni 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 South African Communist Party (SACP) leader, who was gunned down in the property’s driveway in 1993.
Plans to develop the area also include 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 the South Park Cemetery.
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,” said Masina.
“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.”
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 widow, Limpho Hani, took a tour of the house.
Entering the gate, there is an outline of where his body lay in the driveway.
The house 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 was happy and honoured by the City as it took them 23 years to do the right thing.
“They always say good things take time to happen, I am glad that it finally happened,” she said.
“The ANC and the SACP and the family are going to sit down and plan how this house needs to be used.”
Also read: Lessons every South African can learn from the life of Chris Hani
11 Steps in Mandela’s quest to Freedom
“We have no excuse but to deliver” – mayor
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