Latest news with #MakanaMunicipality
The Herald
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Herald
Frustrated Makhanda residents claim vacant municipal land to build homes
Frustrated by years of empty promises and stalled housing developments, hundreds of Makhanda residents have taken matters into their own hands, illegally demarcating vacant municipal land for their own use. Residents blocked the N2 towards Qonce and the R67 that runs along the demarcated area on Sunday and Monday, burning barricades made of tyres and debris. The Makana municipality was preparing to file a court application to interdict the residents from occupying the land zoned for commercial use. Police used stun grenades to disperse residents who had gathered on the field that runs along the R67 on Sunday and again on Monday to ease traffic congestion. The protesters then moved to Joza township where they blocked intersections of taxi routes until early evening on Monday. On Sunday, hundreds of residents gathered on the field known as eGolfini [old golf course] on the R67 and demarcated the land using poles, sticks, rocks and building material. For many years, the land has been used for initiation schools for Xhosa boys transitioning into manhood. Dozens of cars lined up along the road behind Extension 5 and the Eluxolweni communities when the drama took place. Community leader Simphiwe Mdluli said elderly people and the majority of the working class in Makhanda lived in back yards or were renting because they did not qualify for bonds. 'There is no new housing project on the cards, while the municipality has previously promised to commence with phase two of the old Extension 10 housing development,' he said. 'It's been years with nothing being said, hence the community identified unused land for occupation while they wait for the municipality because we are tired of this incompetent municipality.' Mdluli said elderly people had joined the cause because during the first phase of the Extension 10 development, people who did not qualify allegedly got houses and more than one person in one family had benefited. 'If you checked title deeds in Extension 10 you'd find that one person [allegedly] owns three houses and this is why we can't discuss this any further but just want land so we can erect our structures.' Mdluli said the community would make Makhanda ungovernable until their concerns were addressed. An Extension 5 resident, who did not want to be named, said an informal settlement near bond houses was a disaster waiting to happen. 'I know many people who are understandably desperate for houses will disagree with this but we can't be paying millions for our houses and live next to an informal settlement; this will devalue our properties,' the resident said. 'Looking at socioeconomic conditions of this town and the high unemployment rate, a combination of a community of haves and have-nots will develop and that will lead to violence, crime and intolerance. 'The municipality is correct to stop it but it has a responsibility to hear the people and come up with a solution for their valid complaints.' Municipal spokesperson Anele Mjekula confirmed they were preparing court documents in a bid to interdict any land grabs in the city. Mjekula said mayor Yandiswa Vara had visited the scene on Sunday to explain why informal structures could not be built. 'The mayor explained that the land they wanted to occupy had been earmarked for business developments and that they were not allowed to build there,' Mjekula said. 'Despite the explanation, residents insisted that they would forcefully build houses on the land. 'Among the issues raised during the meeting in support of the illegal land occupation were the lack of housing developments for local people. 'In an attempt to de-escalate the situation, the residents were advised to form a committee which would formally engage with the municipality on the way forward regarding the need for housing developments.' Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli said they were working with traffic officers to monitor the situation. 'Police can confirm that they are investigating a case of contravention of the prevention of illegal eviction from an Unlawful Occupation of Land Act 19 of 1998, and with a possibility of an additional charge of contempt of court at the later stage, after the Makana municipality opened a case on Sunday afternoon. 'Police have activated members from Public Order Policing to monitor the situation.' The Herald
News24
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Roads prepped, talent unleashed: Makana Mayor welcomes National Arts Festival 2025
The National Arts Festival in Makhanda kicked off on 26 June with an opening ceremony. Despite issues with infrastructure and funding, the municipality and festival are confident about this year's edition. The festival runs from 26 to 6 July 2025 and offers more than 240 items on the programme. The National Arts Festival in Makhanda kicked off on 26 June with an opening ceremony on Thursday night. NAF, one of Africa's biggest arts festivals, runs from 26 June to 6 July and has more than 240 items on its programme, encompassing music, theatre, visual arts, film, comedy and more. Makana mayor Yandiswa Vara was one of the speakers at the opening ceremony and gave a media briefing earlier in the day about the town's readiness for the festival. The municipality has ensured that the roads are trafficable and that basic services such as water supply, sewer systems, street lighting, and road maintenance are operable. 'All of this ensures the festival can operate smoothly and sustainably while benefiting the local population,' she said. READ | Spark Hub ignites fresh talent: 14 Must-watch plays at National Arts Festival 2025 Despite experiencing a prolonged drought, Vara said that the town's water supply is stable, and steps are in place to ensure minimal interruptions. They cannot say that they have fully attended to all their water challenges, but they are actively addressing them. Vara said that Makhanda is more than 200 years old, which unfortunately speaks to their failing infrastructure. 'The capacity of our infrastructure has deteriorated. When it was built, it was for a certain population, but that population has grown now,' she said. Joel Ontong/News24 Joel Ontong/News24 They remain committed to tackling these ongoing issues and making sure communities don't suffer inconveniences like burst pipes. They have also repaired numerous roads in the town, which is known for its frequent pothole issues. Vandalism presents another problem for them and has led to issues with electrical supplies. On the importance of the festival, chairperson of the NAF board, Siphiwo Mahala, said at the media briefing: 'Year after year, artists lay bare their souls to us, creating a mirror to society and sharing experiences.' 'The festival is the antidote to indifference and apathy. In a world where people seem to care less and less, we invite our audiences to care more and to respond with conversation,' he added. NAF CEO Monica Newton commented on some of the festival's funding issues. Last year, the National Lottery Commission declined to provide funding for NAF, according to GroundUp. Standard Bank is still one of the event's sponsors, according to its website. The festival has also been impacted by the country's budget (which has gone through three iterations under the GNU), policy changes in the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture, and some of its other partners have also experienced budget cuts. 'We hope for the best. We plan with what we have, and we present a festival every year that we are exceptionally proud of,' Newton said. Joel Ontong/News24 Joel Ontong/News24 Later, at the official opening ceremony, which took place at the 1820 Settlers' National Monument, Vara opened the night on a sombre note, remembering the victims of the recent Eastern Cape floods. 'One of the most formidable natural disasters in the history of our country has struck in the past few weeks,' she said. She requested the audience to stand for a moment of silence to honour the flood victims. Focusing on the festival itself, Vara spoke about how it has changed over its 51 years of existence, having had different names and shifting audiences. 'But the essence of what the National Arts Festival is all about has not changed. The celebration of arts in all its forms and the recognition and expression of culture in different ways is still what makes this festival the National Arts Festival.' Despite the challenges and setbacks the festival and municipality face, the energy from the audience at the opening ceremony was buzzing. Before the evening started, Makhanda singer Loveseed put on a small concert as audiences took their seats. A few songs in, the lights in the venue went out briefly due to an interrupted electrical supply. This paused the performance, but her drummer kept the momentum going, making the crowd go wild, cheering and pulling out their phone lights in the dark hall. It's with that excitement that the attendees at this year's NAF are welcoming the major event.
