Elders weep for old Alex
The 107-year-old township north of Johannesburg has the best and the worst to offer
LONG-time residents of Alexandra are steadfast that the 107-year-old township can reclaim its glory days.
Residents believe that working together can restore its dignity and rid it of lawlessness.
“I was born and raised in Alexandra, my family was the first to reside in this area. I have seen the best and worst of this place, therefore I believe the township can still be saved from all the mess,” Linda Twala, 75, said.
He said the area used to be clean and well serviced until a lot of people started to move in because of its proximity to work places.
“That’s how overcrowding started. People started to build shacks on top of sewage pipes, under pylons, on side walks, on the road and on dumping sites. We have uncontrollable rats all over the area because of the shacks and the illegal dumping. Sewage pipes are flooded, the waste goes on people’s door steps. The whole township stinks.”
Twala said he started cleaning campaigns but as the population increased, people started to litter everywhere and that made it difficult to keep it clean.
Twala said lack of housing in Alexandra has always been an issue that forced people to build their own houses.
“Through the Habitat for Humanity, we managed to build a lot of houses. A lot of people benefited from that programme,” Twala said.
With lack of educational and recreational facilities in the township, Twala said he founded colleges and recreational centres to keep children away from the streets.
“This was done to prevent them from taking drugs but gain skills they would utilise to find jobs.
“Children want to study but because of lack of facilities it’s hard for them. That’s why they get involved in drugs.” Lydia Sigidima, 79, was born in Alexandra and lived during the bucket system era.
“I am disappointed to see that there are people who still use the same system we used,” she said.
She said the township was infested with crime. Twala suggested that Alexandra be turned into a heritage site because of its rich history, and then the money generated be used to rebuild the area. “Nelson Mandela and Samora Machel houses are among things that need to be used as springboards to fix the township,” he said.
Jane Mthimkhulu, 85, complained about the lack of housing. “I applied for a house in 1992, I still haven’t got it.”