It was an emotional homecoming for a group of apartheid era forced removals victims yesterday when they were handed "ownership" rights to land they once called home. Nearly half a century after being forcibly removed to the Cape Flats, the former residents of Steurhof, near Plumstead, excitedly renewed ties with former friends and neighbours. Rosaline Coker, who was moved to Lavender Hill, told Weekend Argus it was a very emotional day for her.
Her husband Fred, who died in January, grew up and went to school in Steurhof and later became vice-principal of South Peninsula High School. "I could feel him here beside me today. So for me it's a day of gladness tinged with sadness." She said the Steurhof community had been like one big family where everyone knew one another. Thirty-six families have been given 7 000m2 in Dan Pienaar Circle, off Gabriel Road in Plumstead, where semi-detached cottages will soon be built for them. They are expected to move into their new homes by the end of the year.
They represent 49% of the Steurhof claimant community - the rest opted for financial compensation. The claimants, some now in their 70s and 80s and hobbling with walking sticks, had to be helped on to the podium to receive their ownership certificates - but none could keep the smiles off their faces. Lenah Bokwe, 75, said coming back was "like a dream come true. I feel so happy, I've waited so long."
Ferdi Meyer, of the Gabriel Road Restitution Action Committee, said construction on their steel cottages was expected to start within two to three months. "Some of our new neighbours aren't too happy but I guess you'll find that anywhere." Chief Land Claims Commissioner Thozamile Gwanya said the commission had now settled 90% of the land claims it had received nationally. "That represents around 73 000 mostly urban claims." Gwanya said that even though there were often bitter complaints about the slow pace of settlements, South Africa was way ahead of other countries, such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, with restitution programmes.
He said there were only 5 128 claims left to settle nationally, while in the Western Cape there were around 1 000 left out of an original 17 000. Speaking at the ceremony, Gwanya said he was always pleased when people opted for land rather than financial compensation. "With cash you enjoy it for a while then it is gone. But those who opt for land have something to show their children's children." Gwanya said white Afrikaners had told him recently they couldn't afford land in Simon's Town or anywhere along the coast because it was occupied by people from Europe. "Land is so important but we must make sure our citizens get the best out of it." Gwanya added that the Gabriel Road restitution was unique in that all spheres of government had contributed towards the agreement. He said the city had made the land available, the province had given housing subsidies, and the national government had contributed the restitution grants. Pogiso Molapo, the city's manager of land restitution and social housing, said the National Land Claims Commission policy forum and restitution forum had said Cape Town was the best-performing city in the country when it came to urban land redistribution claims, despite having the highest number of claims."
Quelle: Weekend Argus vom 25.3.2007
