Latest news with #GroupAreasAct
The Citizen
2 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Story still not done: Wentworth author releases ninth book
WENTWORTH-BASED author Cyril James, 80, is still spinning his life experiences into gripping stories. The seasoned author has released his ninth publication, Durbanite in District 6, a gripping and deeply personal narrative of conflict, survival and resilience through one of South Africa's most turbulent eras. Also read: PLLUM awards recognise community heroes The book is a spin-off from his debut title, Many a Cold Night, and revisits a chapter in James' life in Cape Town during the mid-1960s. After cancelling his seafaring work contract, James found himself alone and adrift in a city away from home. Without direction and no place to call his own, he gravitated towards District Six, a cosmopolitan but turbulent centre reeling from the brutal impact of the Group Areas Act. 'Durbanite in District 6 is the story of my life as a stranger in that unique District 6. I eventually became homeless and survived on the streets, along with what they called 'the Strollers', homeless young vagrants,' said James. Having spent nearly nine months writing the book, James said the story delves into displacement, racial harassment, unjustified arrests and petty crime, all set within the context of the dehumanising apartheid policies that tore communities apart. Despite the painful memories, James said the writing process helped him to think back to that part of his life that helped shape the man he is today. 'It allowed me to reflect on realities of those days and how I survived on the streets,' he said. James' own life is a tale of remarkable determination. Born poor, he quit school in Grade Seven to work and look after his family after his father died. He did whatever work he could find, from carrying coal and wood on a wheelbarrow, to selling cosmetics, fruit and vegetables. Despite these challenges, the only constant that remained was his love for reading. 'I used to hide in libraries for hours just to read. Even when I went to the toilet, I took a book with me,' he joked. It wasn't until 2010, after he retired, that James finally pursued his heart's desire and began to write. At the insistence of his wife, Linda, and spurred on by grief after the loss of the couple's only child, he penned Many a Cold Night. Despite scepticism and ridicule from others who doubted that he could do it because he had no schooling, James persevered. 'I remember reading the comments on Facebook when I announced I had a book coming out. People would comment, 'I had no education and did not know how to write books.' It motivated me to prove them wrong,' he said. Now on his 10th manuscript, James is not losing momentum. 'As long as I have a story to tell, I will continue to write,' said James. Durbanite in District 6 is R150 and is available by contacting Cyril James on 071 363 5512. For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
11-07-2025
- General
- IOL News
A vibrant community remembered
A property at 32 North Street in the 1930s very much in the new art deco style. North street was the heart of Block AK which experienced forced removals in the 1970s. Today's picture shows a block of flats at 32 North Street, Greyville, in Durban and comes from the Facebook page Durban Down Memory lane. The picture was probably taken shortly after the block was built in the 1930s. North Street is the heart of what today is known as Block AK, and although the neighbourhood was demolished in the 1970s, the road can still be seen running through the open lots today. Judging by an old aerial map scheme from the 1930s, the apartments featured were probably on the south-west corner of North Street and Osborne Street today - so among the trees and on the right of today's picture shot from the balcony of Independent Newspapers. The scar that was the tragedy of forced removals at Block AK is still very evident. Greyville which developed on the flat land west of the city centre is one of the city's oldest suburbs populated by working classes of all races who couldn't afford to live in the upper Berea. It also had easy access to the city, which you can see in the background of today's picture. By the 1930s the area was predominantly Indian, but people of all nationalities lived in the cosmopolitan area and kept shops in First Avenue. The Group Areas Act ended the vibrant organic community that made Block AK its home. Greyville was declared off-limits to Indians by the Act. Eventually Block AK was declared a slum under the Slums Act, and demolished in the 1970s. Former Block AK are still fighting land claims today.
Mail & Guardian
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Local political capture impedes SA's post-1994 planning and development
Political interference, weak capacity and patronage hinder South Africa's post-apartheid planning, leading to dysfunctional local government. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy/M&G South Africa's planning and development trajectory has been positioned as a tool for transformation, equity and redress since the country's democratic transition in 1994. However, the promise of developmental governance and spatial justice has not been substantially realised after 30 years of democracy. This failure is not accidental but symptomatic of a structural problem — planning and development cannot thrive in the hands of local-level politicians who are often driven by patronage, electoral interests and administrative incapacity rather than long-term strategic vision or inclusive development imperatives. Before 1994, South African planning was rooted in apartheid ideology. Spatial planning served as a tool of segregation, with policies like the 1950 Group Areas Act and 1913 Land Act dispossessing black South Africans and relegating them to the peripheries of urban and economic life. Planning institutions operated with a top-down (rather than bottom-up), technocratic logic, serving the goals of white minority rule. Development was narrowly defined, often conflated with infrastructure delivery for white areas and the broader African, Indian and coloured populations were systematically excluded from both the process and the benefits. Despite sporadic attempts at 'homeland' development and urban townships upgrades in the 1980s, planning under apartheid entrenched inequality. By 1994, South Africa had one of the world's most spatially fragmented and racially skewed urban and rural systems. Post-apartheid South Africa inherited this divided spatial logic. In response, the government developed progressive legislative frameworks to guide transformation, including the Reconstruction and Development Programme in 1994 aimed at meeting basic needs and rebuilding infrastructure (later replaced by the Growth, Employment and Redistribution plan). The Development Facilitation Act of 1995 emphasised integrated development. The Municipal Structures Act (1998) and Municipal Systems Act (2000) established Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) as the primary tool for local-level planning. The National Development Plan 2030 outlines long-term inclusive growth and spatial equity objectives. While these frameworks were progressive, their implementation has been marred by political interference, weak capacity and administrative paralysis at the local government level. Instead, the promise of 'developmental local government' has often produced dysfunctional municipalities. According to the 2023 State of Local Government Report by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, only 5% of municipalities are classified as well-functioning, while more than 60% are underperforming or dysfunctional. Auditor general Tsakani Maluleke's 2022-23 municipal audit revealed that only 38 out of 257 municipalities received clean audits and unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure reached R20.4 billion. Theoretical models underpinned post-apartheid planning, such as communicative planning, emphasising stakeholder participation and collaborative governance. These ideals assumed rational dialogue and shared visions for development. However, in practice, the technocratic rationality of planners has often clashed with the political rationality of local councillors, who view planning instruments like IDPs as tools to secure votes and allocate tenders. Marxist geographers such as David Harvey and Edward Soja remind us that space is always political. This forms clientelism in South Africa, where political allegiance, rather than necessity, is a mediator for development access. Thus, rather than serving as a forum for equitable growth, planning becomes a site of power struggles. Furthermore, municipalities imitate planning frameworks (for instance, by drafting IDPs) without internalising or implementing them, as explained by institutional isomorphism derived from new institutional theory. This leads to form without substance — documents are produced but transformation remains elusive. Local politicians, often lacking in technical understanding of spatial planning, play a vital role in shaping development priorities. Rather than being facilitators of professional planning, many become gatekeepers. Municipal councils routinely override technical assessments to prioritise politically expedient projects. Tender processes are manipulated to reward loyalists and community participation processes are reduced to box-ticking exercises. In addition, the planning apparatus has been weakened by cadre deployment. When qualified professionals are sidelined or enlisted in political conflicts, evidence-based planning is undermined. This trend is more pronounced in small and rural municipalities, where planning departments are under-resourced or non-existent. As a result, municipal spatial development frameworks, meant to guide land use and infrastructure investment, are either outdated or ignored. Despite massive investment, South Africa remains spatially unequal. According to Statistics South Africa figures from 2022, more than a third of South Africans live in informal settlements or backyard dwellings. Access to basic services like water and sanitation has stagnated, with some rural municipalities regressing coverage. Economic opportunities remain concentrated in urban cores, with rural youth facing unemployment rates above 60%. This reflects a more profound crisis — planning is not merely a technical function but a state capacity issue. When the state at the local level is captured by party politics, service delivery and equitable development become casualties. Suppose South Africa was to realise the spatial justice envisioned in its Constitution and policies. A shift must occur in that case; Depoliticise planning functions by ensuring professional planners are insulated from political interference. This could mean ringfencing planning directorates within municipalities under provincial oversight. Re-professionalise local government by investing in skills development, enforcing minimum competency frameworks and creating independent planning tribunals. Strengthen accountability mechanisms, including public audits, citizen review panels for IDPs and real-time transparency in tender awards. Restructure spatial governance by rethinking the role of metros, district municipalities and traditional authorities in planning, especially in rural contexts. The failure of post-1994 planning and development in South Africa is not a consequence of the absence of vision or policy; it is a by-product of the political hijacking of development processes at the local level. Until we insulate planning from political expediency, transformation, equity and sustainability objectives will remain lip service. Planning is too important to be left in the hands of politicians. Siyanda Kate is a PhD candidate (political studies) at Nelson Mandela University and a lecturer at Walter Sisulu University.
IOL News
26-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Bridging the gap: essential insights on property ownership for young black South Africans
Many black citizens have been denied the opportunity to fully understand the benefits and pathways to property ownership. The reality is that many segments of South African society have been historically disadvantaged when it comes to access to property ownership and understanding how it can be used to build generational wealth, says Stefan Botha, the Director at Rainmaker Marketing, in response to an enquiry from "Independent Media Property". Many younger black South Africans were unable to learn about property ownership from their parents, as it had not been a legal or practical option for previous generations. As an example, he said black South Africans were officially allowed to own property throughout the country in 1991 with the repeal of the Land Act and the Group Areas Act. He said that consequently, property ownership was rarely, if ever, discussed around the dining room table. 'This remains a significant issue in South Africa. Many citizens have been denied the opportunity to fully understand the benefits and pathways to property ownership, and we must work to change that. "One major consequence of this history is a widespread lack of understanding about good versus bad debt. As a result, many South Africans are heavily burdened by debt and have little disposable income, often due to acquiring short-term debt for cars and luxury goods. "This puts both individuals and the broader economy at a disadvantage,' Botha said. Last week, "Independent Media Property" reported that many young people do not understand the mechanics of buying or investing in property or how to plan financially for long-term ownership. Tsekiso Machike, spokesperson to the Minister of Human Settlements (DHS) Thembi Simelane, said the country must enhance financial literacy and property education, "therefore, incorporate property and financial literacy into high school and tertiary curricula". Machike said the country must also encourage entrepreneurship in real estate. 'Youth entrepreneurs in real estate are underrepresented but can unlock job creation and innovation in the sector.' The department said youth representation in South Africa's homeownership and property sectors is currently limited, adding that there is a noticeable shift towards investment-focused property purchases. 'Economic challenges remain a significant hurdle, but initiatives and advocacy efforts are emerging to support and empower young individuals in these sectors.' The ministry, which facilitates the creation of sustainable human settlements and improved quality of household life, said there is also a need to improve access to financing; promote First Home Finance to be more accessible, better publicised and easier to navigate for the youth, since many youths are excluded from traditional lending due to low or irregular incomes, lack of credit history or student debt. The property and lifestyle marketing agency said that a key aspect of this problem is that people often over-extend themselves financially by taking on the wrong kinds of debt, which leads to poor credit records. It said this creates a vicious cycle, making it even harder for individuals to enter the property market. There is also a critical need for greater education around improving and rebuilding credit scores and financial histories. This kind of knowledge is essential to helping more South Africans qualify for property financing in the future, it added. Botha, an experienced property expert, said he believes the responsibility lies with both the private sector and the public sector in working together to drive meaningful change in the local property and economic sector. He said from a private sector perspective, education around property ownership is absolutely critical. 'It starts with helping people understand the basics of property ownership - how debt can be acquired, how it works and how it can be used as a tool to build long-term wealth through property.' He said that from a public sector perspective, there needs to be a more unified and coordinated approach to promoting property ownership across South Africa. 'In my view, the government can play a much greater role in supporting and funding initiatives that provide property education and access, ensuring these efforts are rolled out nationally and reach all market segments.'
IOL News
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Rashid Lombard Tribute: A cultural giant, comrade, and dear friend
Carl Niehaus pays tribute to acclaimed activist and photojournalist Rashid Lombard who passed away this week. Image: Phando Jikelo / Independent Newspapers With a heavy heart, I mourn Rashid Lombard, a titan of South African culture, a revolutionary artist, and my cherished friend, who left us on June 4, 2025, at the age of 74. His death is a profound loss, not only to me personally but to the nation, the arts community, and all who knew his boundless humanity. I extend my deepest condolences to Rashid's beloved wife, Colleen, his children Chevan, Shadley, Yana, Zach, and Daniel, his numerous grandchildren, his countless friends, colleagues in the arts, and fellow comrades across South Africa, particularly in Cape Town and the Western Cape. Rashid was a mensch—a true human being whose warmth, humour, and unwavering commitment to justice illuminated every space he entered. Our friendship, spanning decades, was a cornerstone of my life, forged in the struggle against apartheid and deepened through shared dreams of a liberated South Africa. Born in 1951 in North End, Gqeberha, and later relocating to Cape Town in 1962, Rashid's life was shaped by the brutal realities of apartheid. The forced removals under the Group Areas Act, which shattered his diverse community, ignited a political consciousness that defined his work. Influenced by the Black Consciousness Movement, he wielded his camera as a weapon, capturing the pain, resilience, and hope of oppressed communities. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ His archive of over 500,000 photographs, now housed at the University of the Western Cape, stands as a testament to his fearless dedication to truth. From the unrest of the 1980s to Nelson Mandela's release in 1990 and South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994, Rashid's images, published globally through outlets like AFP, BBC, and NBC, exposed apartheid's inhumanity and amplified the call for freedom. His work, featured in exhibitions across Southern Africa and in the seminal book South Africa: The Cordoned Heart (1985), documented the political mobilisation against oppression. As a member of the Vukalisa artists' collective, he championed community-based cultural activities, ensuring art was a tool for resistance and enlightenment. His 2010 book Jazz Rocks immortalised the spirit of jazz and its role in the anti-apartheid struggle, reflecting his deep connection with musicians who became his 'friends and family.' Our personal bond grew strongest in the late 1990s when I served as South Africa's ambassador to the Netherlands. Together, we poured our hearts into bringing the North Sea Jazz Festival from The Hague to Cape Town, a vision that evolved into the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) under Rashid's extraordinary leadership. Working closely with him, I witnessed his genius as a music entrepreneur and his fierce commitment to uplifting communities through art. Launched in 2000, the CTIJF became Africa's largest jazz event, blending South African and international talent while prioritising inclusivity. Rashid's vision ensured the festival empowered disadvantaged communities through training programs in music and dance, fostering a legacy of cultural integration and economic upliftment. Those moments of collaboration were filled with his laughter and warmth, reminding me always of the power of human connection. I am immensely grateful for Rashid's contributions to photography and art entrepreneurship. Initially trained as an architectural draughtsman, he transitioned into industrial photography before becoming a renowned news and documentary photographer. His images, published in progressive outlets like Grassroots and South, chronicled the fight for human dignity. The CTIJF, established through his founding of espAfrika in 1997, transformed Cape Town into a global jazz capital, a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to cultural resistance. Rashid's progressive political engagement was equally inspiring. His photography was activism, bearing witness to protests, political figures, and everyday life under apartheid. His establishment of the CTIJF was a deliberate act of defiance, creating spaces where South Africans could celebrate their shared humanity. His work earned him prestigious accolades, including the Order of the Disa for meritorious service to the Western Cape, the SABC/Southern African Music Rights Organisation Jazz Achievement Award for his lifelong contribution to the South African music industry, and, in 2014, the National Order of Ikhamanga in Silver, recognising his role in placing South Africa on the global cultural stage. Rashid's loss is a wound that cuts to the core. His kindness, his stories, his belief in justice and beauty made every moment with him a gift. Whether we were strategizing over the festival or sharing quiet conversations, his presence was a reminder of what it means to live with purpose and love. His passing leaves an ache I know is shared by Cape Town, the Western Cape, and all of South Africa, where his legacy endures in every note played at the CTIJF and every image that tells our story. To honour Rashid's memory fully, I reflect on the countless lives he touched. His ability to connect with people—musicians, activists, ordinary South Africans—was unparalleled. I recall late-night discussions about jazz as a form of resistance, his eyes alight with passion as he spoke of artists like Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba. His home was a haven for creatives, a place where ideas flourished, and his generosity knew no bounds. He mentored young photographers and musicians, sharing his knowledge with a humility that inspired all who knew him.
