Foundation speaks out about Mandela home
The Johannesburg Heritage Foundation (JHF) has raised concerns about public funds being used to renovate the private home of the Mandela family in Johannesburg.
Nelson Mandela’s house on 12th Avenue in Houghton has attracted negative media coverage due to its poor state of maintenance and its abandonment by Mandela’s grandchildren who used to live there.
Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi said last week that the province would help the family to renovate the house.
But the JHF’s David Fleminger said there were issues with public funds being used where there would be no public benefit.
“We still have concerns in using public funds for what is still a private house. That really does not go with the way things should be done,” he said.
Fleminger said if public funds were used for the home, there had to be some type of public benefit, such as access.
“There should at least be some usage plan or management plan that allows the public to have access to that house otherwise where is the public benefit?
“Why are we using public funds on that house, especially when the owners are caught up in an inheritance battle?” he asked.
He said if public funds were used for the house, a management plan was essential given that public money would be involved.
Fleminger said the house was caught up in the middle of a legal battle between family members, which was another reason for its abandonment.
He said the house could be worth at least R6 million if it was sold, but its poor condition affected its value, notwithstanding its heritage and potential business value.
On 20 February, The Citizen reported that the house was left abandoned after Mandela’s grandchildren moved out in 2020.
According to reports, residents around the home have complained about the dilapidated state of the property with its overgrown grass, damage to the structure of the house and piledup rubbish.
Lesufi said he was concerned about the poor state of the home.
The bulk of Mandela’s R46 million estate was left to his wife Graça Machel, his daughters also got at least R3 million each.
The Mandela properties, including the Houghton home, are part of a family trust and can be used by all family members.
The house has hosted several high-profile international guests and is an attraction for tourists who visit it and take photos outside.
Lesufi said: “We have now taken a decision that we will meet with the family so that the house can be restored to its original state.”