A vibrant community remembered
Today's picture shows a block of flats at 32 North Street, Greyville, in Durban and comes from the Facebook page Durban Down Memory lane. The picture was probably taken shortly after the block was built in the 1930s.
North Street is the heart of what today is known as Block AK, and although the neighbourhood was demolished in the 1970s, the road can still be seen running through the open lots today.
Judging by an old aerial map scheme from the 1930s, the apartments featured were probably on the south-west corner of North Street and Osborne Street today - so among the trees and on the right of today's picture shot from the balcony of Independent Newspapers. The scar that was the tragedy of forced removals at Block AK is still very evident.
Greyville which developed on the flat land west of the city centre is one of the city's oldest suburbs populated by working classes of all races who couldn't afford to live in the upper Berea. It also had easy access to the city, which you can see in the background of today's picture.
By the 1930s the area was predominantly Indian, but people of all nationalities lived in the cosmopolitan area and kept shops in First Avenue. The Group Areas Act ended the vibrant organic community that made Block AK its home. Greyville was declared off-limits to Indians by the Act. Eventually Block AK was declared a slum under the Slums Act, and demolished in the 1970s. Former Block AK are still fighting land claims today.
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Daily Maverick
8 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Meet the 31-year-old Sowetan who compiled Joburg's first digital heritage register
Johannesburg's first digital heritage register documents 90 sites, many of them unknown to the public. A dictionary and a 'useless' university degree turned a Soweto youth into a Joburg heritage expert. At 31, Kopano Monaheng has been a key player in the compilation of Joburg's first digital heritage register, launched on 25 July 2025 — a public tool that brings together decades of forgotten, buried and often deliberately erased history. Born and raised in Phiri and Meadowlands, Monaheng has been responsible for the identification, research, upgrading and restoration of several city heritage sites, and has also named 350 new streets in two informal settlements. His journey began with loss. His mother died when he was two. His father, who instilled in him a love of language through the family's only book, a dictionary, passed away when Monaheng was seven. His grandmother, a seamstress, raised him. 'I was just a boy in Phiri with nothing but curiosity,' he says. That curiosity led him to the local library, his sanctuary from Soweto's chaos. 'The environment in Soweto is always busy and noisy and I would escape to the library where I read everything I could. But it was that dictionary that started my love of words.' After being rejected twice by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), Monaheng was accepted into the University of Johannesburg. He studied geography and anthropology, fields that many close to him dismissed at the time as giving him a 'useless' degree. 'Even I started to believe them,' he admits. After a long period of frustration because of unemployment, Monaheng managed to secure free training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which led to an internship with the City of Johannesburg's arts, culture and heritage department. It was Eric Itzkin, the deputy director of immovable heritage, who immediately recognised his potential. 'There was no one else in the department who understood geography and locations the way I did. I applied for this job as I had equal interest in history, geography and anthropology. The three come together when it comes to planning and implementing heritage solutions. I really believe we have to maintain our history for everyone to understand where we come from,' said Monaheng. One of his interventions was advocating for the inclusion of the Eyethu Cinema in Mofolo, Soweto, once the only cinema for black audiences, in the heritage register. The cinema, opened in 1969, had decayed since its closure in the 1990s. Today, it has been reborn as the Eyethu Heritage Hall, a public cultural space. 'I used to see this old place and wonder about its history, so I started researching it and motivating for its inclusion into the register,' he said. He also helped document the St Xavier Catholic Church in Sophiatown, one of the only buildings to survive the forced removals under the Group Areas Act. 'It has a fascinating history and is still a very active Catholic church,' he said. The Kwa Mai Mai Market, a historically rich but under-appreciated space in the Joburg CBD, is close to his heart. Monaheng fought for its inclusion on the register. 'People and tourists tend to go there only for traditional food, but there is more to it. It is home to traditional medicine and healers, with a mixed informal economy, offering muti and herbal remedies, Zulu cultural artefacts, traditional dress and crafts, woodwork, and more, all sold and practiced by cultural entrepreneurs and traditional healers. So I'm hoping to expand tourism there,' he said. Another of his milestones was the Dr AB Xuma House in Sophiatown. Monaheng's research enabled its transformation into a museum, and he personally authored its blue heritage plaque. Names, memory and identity His expertise includes naming and renaming streets, which is often a controversial topic. In the informal settlement of Mnandini, Lawley, he helped to create 200 new street names and addresses through public consultation. In Tshepisong (near Roodepoort), he similarly facilitated the naming of 150 new street addresses. 'In both cases, the community was allowed to choose the new names. Some were African themed and others were named after local grasses and grasslands, given the proximity to wetlands.' He was also involved in the renaming of De Beer Street in Braamfontein to Mthokozisi Ntumba Street, honouring the student killed by the police during the 2021 #FeesMustFall protests. 'People always complain about wasting money, so I did walkabouts and garnered support. It will soon go through council for approval. I worked with Wits, local residents and businesses in the process. There was no cost, just community engagement,' he said. More controversial was the proposed renaming of Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive. 'We intended this to create unity, but politics got in the way. The public participation process got over 70,000 approvals compared to 30,000 objections, but this remains stalled due to political backlash.' Now, Monaheng, whose internship with the City has ended, is working with a private heritage conservation firm. He is hoping to develop heritage tourism routes — paths that aim to connect place, memory and identity. 'Our past lives are in the places around us. If we name them and mark them, we give them life again. Watch this space,' he smiled. Preserving Joburg's heritage Itzkin, who guided the development of the online heritage register, believes this is a crucial step toward democratising memory. 'Kopano identified and ran with projects for the new online heritage register, which brings a wealth of information on heritage buildings and sites spread across Joburg.' The register currently documents 90 sites, many of them unknown to the public. 'Joburg transformed from a mining camp to a metropolis in just a few generations,' said Itzkin. 'Despite its short recorded history, it is rich in drama, architectural evolution and political struggle.' Among the earliest stories in the register are pre-colonial Tswana communities, whose relics can still be found from Klipriviersburg to Melville Koppies, predating the gold rush of 1886. But too often, Joburg has chosen to erase rather than preserve. 'Many buildings, even relatively recent ones, have been demolished in the name of development. We've seen a city constantly rebuilt, often at the cost of its history. 'Heritage preservation in Joburg isn't just about old buildings,' Itzkin said. 'It's about memory and justice. The online register maps the journeys of figures like Nelson Mandela and MK Gandhi — and that of ordinary people, too.' 'They must be preserved for future generations and managed in line with best international practice and legal compliance.' The register was developed by the City's arts and culture team, in collaboration with historians and tour guides. It also provides the heritage status and protection levels for buildings that are more than 60 years old. 'Each site holds a unique story,' said Itzkin. 'And this register will keep growing to include more across the city. 'Joburg may be young by global standards, but its history is deep and dynamic. Much of the city's unique legacy is at risk of being lost, not to time, but to neglect.'
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
The water crisis in eThekwini: a violation of human rights
These areas, predominantly minority communities and historically marginalised, appear to be on an unofficial water-shedding schedule, with supply often disappearing by midday and only returning the following morning, says the writer. Image: File/ Timothy Bernard/ Independent Newspapers OVER the past several years, residents of eThekwini have become well-acquainted with the ritual of stockpiling water, waking at unearthly hours to fill buckets, and sending children off to school without knowing whether there will be running taps in the bathrooms. In Phoenix, Tongaat, Verulam, Chatsworth, and Isipingo, these routines are not emergency responses anymore - they have become a way of life. What we are experiencing is not just a water crisis; it is a collapse of governance, accountability, and ultimately, human dignity. It would be comical, if it were not so tragic, that those who pay for water - diligent ratepayers - are the ones being systematically deprived of it. These areas, predominantly minority communities and historically marginalised, appear to be on an unofficial water-shedding schedule, with supply often disappearing by midday and only returning the following morning. This is not equitable service delivery; this is systemic failure disguised as operational strain. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The Constitution of South Africa is unequivocal: Section 27(1)(b) states that everyone has the right to have access to sufficient water. The Water Services Act 108 of 1997, reinforces this, mandating municipalities to provide water services in a manner that is efficient, equitable, and sustainable. What we are witnessing in eThekwini is a direct violation of this constitutional imperative. What's worse is the perception - and in some cases the stark reality - that the city is weaponising incompetence. There are whispers, growing louder by the day, suggesting that this suffering is not accidental but deliberate: some point to racial indifference, others to revenge fantasies tied to the so-called "Phoenix Massacre." Whatever the motive, the outcome is the same - families, schools, hospitals, and businesses are left high and dry. Let's talk about leadership. City Manager Musa Mbhele has repeatedly failed to provide coherent explanations for the water crisis. The Executive Director of Water and Sanitation, Ednick Msweli, now presides over a department that is in complete disrepair - a department he previously led. That's right, the fox has been put back in charge of the henhouse. Meanwhile, political office bearers fiddle while eThekwini leaks. The city loses around 60% of its water through leaks, theft, illegal connections, and unmetered standpipes. To put that in perspective, that's like earning a salary and having more than half of it stolen from your wallet before payday. Umgeni-uThukela, the bulk water supplier, has implemented water curtailments and has threatened to reduce supply to the metro by 90% unless urgent corrective action is taken. And who will bear the brunt of that? You guessed it - residents, ratepayers, and the voiceless poor. The Auditor-General has warned, year after year, about the financial and operational implications of water loss. These findings have been met with the same enthusiastic response we see in council meetings: a shrug, a finger-point, and another committee formed to investigate the committee that failed to investigate the last one. Meanwhile, the city has turned water into a commodity for tenderpreneurs. There is mounting evidence of a "tanker mafia," corrupt officials, and overpriced water delivery contracts that benefit the few at the expense of the many. Instead of fixing infrastructure, we are fueling an ecosystem of dependency and profiteering. The game being played is not chess; it's Monopoly - and the utilities are all owned by the usual suspects. The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has received several complaints regarding the water crisis in eThekwini. In multiple findings, the SAHRC has stated that the failure to provide basic water services constitutes a violation of human rights. Yet, there appears to be no real urgency from the city to implement these recommendations. The reports are gathering dust while residents gather water. Let us not underestimate the impact this has on our most vulnerable. Elderly citizens, many with chronic conditions, are forced to carry buckets of water just to flush toilets. Schools operate without running water, compromising hygiene and learning conditions. Hospitals and clinics - the very institutions meant to preserve life - are rendered powerless without consistent water supply. Businesses suffer, productivity declines, and potential investors look elsewhere. Who wants to invest in a city where you can't flush a toilet or brew a cup of tea? This crisis is not merely about burst pipes and empty reservoirs. It is about the economic credibility of a city on the brink. eThekwini's ability to attract investment, retain residents, and sustain its own revenue base is directly tied to the provision of basic services. The current state of affairs sends a loud and clear message: this city is not open for business. So what can be done? Residents have the right to escalate the matter through legal and civic channels. Petitions, public protests, class action lawsuits, and formal complaints to the SAHRC and Public Protector are not just options - they are civic duties. We must also demand transparency: real-time water supply data, audit reports on water contracts, and a published timeline for infrastructure repairs. Ultimately, the solution lies not in patchwork projects or shifting accountability. We need an overhaul - new leadership, criminal investigations into corrupt officials, and a zero-tolerance policy for mismanagement. We need political will backed by technical competence and ethical governance. Most of all, we need to stop normalizing dysfunction. Water is life. In eThekwini, it has become a luxury for the patient and a profit stream for the corrupt. Jonathan Annipen Image: File Dr Jonathan Annipen is a councillor of the Ethekwini Municipality for the IFP. He serves as the Whip of the IFP in the Finance Committee. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. THE POST
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
City's initiatives help over 5,000 people off the streets
Rough sleepers at various unlawful occupation hot spots in Cape Town agree to move to City shelters. Image: Picture: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers Some 5 073 people were helped off the streets in 2024/25, compared to 4 409 the previous financial year, through shelter placements, reunifying families, and other forms of reintegration, the City said. "The City does as much as possible, but we cannot do it alone. Our partners play an integral part in assisting rough sleepers and we can do more, because of their role. I want to thank them for their selfless dedication and commitment to some of the City's most vulnerable people," said Community Services and Health mayco member, Francine Higham. Further efforts to get people off the streets included: 691 people participating in development programmes at City-run Safe Spaces. 80 Expanded Public Works Programme work placements to help those staying at the Safe Spaces and in shelters get back on their feet. 627 referrals for social grants, identity documents, specialised care facilities, and substance abuse treatment. The City's support for people sleeping rough on the streets includes access to City-run Safe Spaces and partner shelters, work and reintegration programmes and assistance in overcoming substance abuse as part of its Rough Sleeper Strategy. One of the people who was assisted is 40-year-old Legidas Ndaviragiye who returned to his home country of Burundi in early July. Legidas was in the country legally, but had fallen on hard times after a fire destroyed his home and he had no alternative place to stay. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ "Our field officers first met Legidas in 2022 as a rough sleeper after a complaint was received. Our staff arranged shelter placement, and followed up for two years. Along with the Haven Night Shelter, we assisted him with the reunification process and soon he was ready to return to his home country. "His life is one of many changed through our interventions. We are serious about restoring dignity and impacting the lives of those who find themselves on the street, in a positive way. We are committed to assisting as many people as possible with solutions that make an impact and are sustainable," Higham said. The 2025/26 budget includes a proposed R9.9 million for upgrading and expanding existing safe spaces; and a proposed operations budget which includes, R 1.7 million for street people programmes, i.e. support programmes and winter readiness, and R 1.4 million for the EPWP street people economics project. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
