Old Phoenix – haven of hope for many

SOME people refer to Phoenix as “the poor cousin of Chatsworth” but for those who live here, it is home sweet home.

This week we look at the history of a section in Phoenix which has come to be known as “Old Phoenix”, because it was the first area to be developed – and is predominately made up of Greenbury, Rainham, Stonebridge and Clayfield.

Established in 1976, old Phoenix is said to be one of the oldest Indian settlements in South Africa, with many indentured labourers from the sugar-cane plantations making their home here.

Named by the locals, the community thrives on culture and social cohesion.

During the apartheid era, thousands of Indians were brought to Phoenix to start a new life. When they arrived, there was no proper housing, no businesses, no means of transportation and facilities were few.

People who lived there were made to feel inferior by family and friends, who were housed in more established areas such as Reservoir Hills and Chatsworth. The general secretary of the Phoenix Working Committee and founding member, Sham Maharaj, said the perception of people living in Old Phoenix was preconceived even before they had visited the area. He said people looked down on them because of their “once-inferior living conditions”.

Many issues had arisen during the 1970s and early 1980s that sparked the need for an organisation that fought the needs of the social issues brought about during apartheid. The Phoenix Working Committee, an NGO of longstanding, made the news on many occasions in its fight against the injustices on the community.

Formed in 1978, the committee tackled various issues including high rentals, transport costs, housing and water problems.

During the same year, it launched one of the biggest and most ambitious civic campaigns ever mounted against local government regarding the anti-autonomy campaign. This meant that the council would hand freedom to residents to handle the affairs of the community, escaping any responsibility for developing and maintaining the township.

The autonomy was rejected after the organisation mobilised community participation through protests, demonstrations and legal action.

Like many Durban areas, Old Phoenix is home to a number of schools, sports grounds, libraries, halls and public swimming pools.

Greenbury Secondary School is one of the bestperforming schools in the area, attracting many pupils from across KwaZulu-Natal.

Phoenix Pioneer Primary School was one of the first schools built in the community. It was previously known as the Phoenix No 2 Primary School, and opened its doors in July 1976. Schools including Clayhaven Primary have kept their original structure.

One of the major hot spots was the White House Hotel which was bought by the Naidoo brothers of what was then Lourenço Marques, now Maputo. The hotel was a popular hangout for the locals, who would unwind over a drink and snacks. Soon afterwards, the Naidoo brothers founded the White House Shopping Centre, a complex that remains part of the community today.

Since then, Old Phoenix has blossomed into a beautiful area.

Over the years, there have been several major changes dealing with infrastructure and business.

But with the developments also arose social ills. Role players in Phoenix said poverty, unemployment and drugs were some of the problems facing the community.

But what they can smile about is that Phoenix is fast losing its “low-class reputation”.

There has been a great demand for houses in the area.

Residents who once obtained the land at a minimal cost are now selling their properties for prices from as high as R700 000.

“Every community has its issues, but this is one of the safest places to live in,” said Maharaj.

So what can one do when visiting Old Phoenix? The options are vast. People can buy spices and fresh produce at a number of vendors within the community. At every stop street is an elderly woman clad in traditional attire, or an apron, selling a large range of items for the modern-day resident. Whether it’s bhajia or freshly made vedas, inexpensive vegetables and fruit and an One of Phoenix’s pioneering residents is Sham Maharaj. He has been involved with community organisations since the township started in 1976. He is a founder member of the Phoenix Working Committee and the president of the Phoenix Child and Family Welfare Society. Maharaj was influential in the building of Phoenix Sports Centre, Phoenix Youth Centre and Phoenix Welfare Centre. assortment of pickles, they have it all.

Cultural and sporting activities play a focal part in the community.

During the day, senior citizens are treated to colourful entertainment and meals at the local halls, families gather at fields to watch their children compete in sports such as soccer and volleyball, and a range of civic organisations are in Kooblal, the chief academic officer for PC Training and Business College, played an influential role in the community during the 1970s and 1980s. He was a volunteer for the Verulam Welfare Greenbury local committee and became the first president of Phoenix Child Welfare in 1981. Kooblal was also the secretary for the Greenbury Residents’ Association. place to deal with grievances of the community.

Next time you are in the area, take some time out to experience Old Phoenix, an area that speaks of tragedy, rebuilding and hope.

Information for this article has been sourced from the committee’s 25th anniversary brochure. One of the women at the front line of the fight against apartheid, Eunice Davids was involved in the Phoenix Working Committee and worked as the community organiser for the Durban Action Committee.

From 2003 to 2011, she served as a city councillor. Today, she is the development facilitator for the Community Participation and Durban Support Unit at eThekwini.