The vandalised Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication (WSSD) was the only beacon of hope for many Kliptown residents who continue to live in dire conditions 30 years after democracy.
The site located in the heart of Kliptown offered many opportunities, not only to the business community but residents in general and artists who were mostly supported by tourists who visited the area from all over the world.
Kliptown informal settlement dwellers deem their area as the most forgotten area since the dawn democracy.
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Residents continue to live without proper housing, refuse removal, tarred roads, access to economic opportunities, in-house tap water and toilets.
WSSD is something that held the promise of hope as it attracted traffic and ultimately benefited many unemployed people who were administering businesses in the area.
According to Thulani Madondo, an individual born in the area, Kliptown still struggles, especially behind the rail line; the people are not enjoying the fruits of democracy.
Even when the country celebrates 30 years of democracy, Kliptownians do not know what to celebrate.
“We know that some students got access to higher education through NSFA; they have non-fee-paying schools, but the challenges remain. The unemployment rate continues to be very high in Kliptown.
“Secondly, people tend to drop out of school because it is difficult to move around Kliptown during the rainy season,” said Madondo.
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He said there was still a lot to be done; however, many people have lost hope and the appetite to vote.
“When you see people wearing t-shirts of different political parties, it is not like they are in support; it is a matter of having an extra t-shirt to wear,” he continued.
“It is very unfortunate that over the last 30 years, the South African government has forgotten the people of Kliptown, where the Freedom Charter was adopted. And at times they reference the Freedom Charter as one of the best documents, but when you look at the area, there is nothing interesting to talk about.”
He said Kliptown is among the most lied-to communities in South Africa. As he explained, several ministers promised to deliver houses and politicians promised to change the living conditions, but nothing materialised.
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“Early this year we had floods, the mayor and other people came and promised that they would work on Union Road immediately, but to date nothing has been done.
“People were promised that things would change, but nothing has; hence, it is an embarrassment for the politicians to come and campaign in an area like this.”
He said the only mistake that he thinks they make is not knowing that without them, politicians would not have positions.
“The community of Kliptown is waiting to hear what is in store for Kliptown from whichever party wins the elections because there are budgets that are approved every now and then to develop our area, but the development had never been implemented.”
Madondo noted that other informal settlements that were founded after Kliptown have been developed into formal settlements.
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In Kliptown, there’s still a lack of basic services; there is no electricity, and on the on the streets, people are still using candles, paraffin lamps, and gas stoves.
“The water is clean but communal; you would find that one tap caters for 25 families, and toilets are also communal, and it is chemical; sometimes they are drained in the morning while people are having breakfast.”
The deterioration of WSSD began during lockdown in 2020 and now the only thing left of it is the Freedom Charter memorial stone and the hotel. The rest of the building has been vandalised.
WSSD was established to honour the liberation hero, Walter Sisulu. It was declared a national heritage site by former President Thabo Mbheki in 2005.
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Nhlanhla Tsotetsi (47) was born in Zone 2, Pimville, Soweto, before he later moved to Joshco Kliptown Flats.
He was among a group of volunteers who decided to protect WSSD from criminals who were vandalising and selling the metal material to scrap dealers.
“It is painful seeing the place in a poor state. It is a tourist attraction; tourists come here because they want to know the history. As a person who lives in the area, it is embarrassing to welcome tourists in such a damaged space,” he said.
