The term of art is alienate and that sums up how Joburgs long-suffering ratepayers feel about opaque moves by the Johannesburg Property Company JPC to sell, transfer or alter the leasing arrangements with several iconic parks and facilities designated for public use.
The City of Johannesburg councils 25-26 June meeting agenda included items referring to the possible alienation release or sale of several properties managed by the Johannesburg Property Company JPC.
Besides Marks Park in Emmarentia, sites listed included Pirates Sports Club, Killarney Country Club, and properties in Zoo Lake and Parktown. This language led many to believe the city was poised to sell or privatise large swathes of treasured recreational land, which also has significant ecological value.
A widely circulated petition, supported by community members and descendants of the original land donors, has already attracted 8,888 signatures, with 96 in support at the time of publication. It demands that the city and JPC withdraw the agenda item and guarantee public recreational use of the land.
Anchen Dreyer, a great-granddaughter of Louw Geldenhuys, said that the land is currently zoned as Public Open Space, and the petition argues that any move to alienate it would flout both the donors intent and multiple legislative protections.
Where were standing right now is a heritage area, said Dreyer, standing in front of what is now the Marks Park clubhouse. Its not only my and my many cousins heritage, but its also the heritage for all the people of Johannesburg.