Boost for Alex land fight
JOBURG - The South African Institute of Race Relations has boosted the fight for the restoration of land and property rights in Alexandra.
Land activists in Alexandra received a major boost in their battle for the restoration of their property rights in the township when the South African Institute of Race Relations threw its weight behind their fight.
Addressing institute members at the Johannesburg Country Club, the institute’s CEO John Kane-Berman said he saw no reason why the government was dragging its feet in restoring land and property rights in Alexandra.
He was responding to a question on whether the restoration of land and property rights in Alexandra could fuel an upsurge in the economic activity of one of the poorest urban nodes in the country. “I don’t understand why the government seems reluctant in restoration land and property right there,” Kane-Berman said. “Such could fuel some degree of economic activity as it lays off uncertainty to potential investors who would be sceptical to put their money in an area whose future is not guaranteed.”
Kane-Berman said even property owners would not invest money into the renewal of their houses and other properties as they fear it could go down the drain eventually if land and property rights were not settled. “No one wants to pour money into a venture whose future is not guaranteed. I am sure the property owners also have some money they would like to invest in uplifting their properties and the township in general but are fearful of an uncertain future.
“Giving them the title deeds back could certainly unlock a degree of economic activity and spark some interest in the township, which could flow into many benefits for the residents of Alexandra.”
The Alexandra Land and Property Owners Association has been fighting for the restoration of the title deeds usurped by the apartheid government when it wanted to demolish the township and turn it into a hostel zone for migrant labour.
Property owners were not sitting on their laurels either as they have started planning for the future after the restoration of the land rights. They have teamed up with the Greater Alexandra Chamber of Commerce led by businessman Mpho Motsumi and Sarah Calburn Architects, which have already presented numerous plans and proposals for a future Alex post the land and property rights battle.
