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City of Cape Town: City of Cape Town remains committed to its role in the restitution of District Six

Patricia de Lille
Patricia de Lille

11th February 2016

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Once a haven of unity and vibrancy, an area unique in its distinct characteristics, the land in District Six had for many years stood barren while hundreds of claimants grew old and sadly some have died waiting to go home.

On 11 February 1966, the apartheid government declared District Six a whites-only area under the Group Areas Act.

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In the years that followed, more than 60 000 families were uprooted, torn apart and dumped on the Cape Flats.

For many, the pain of those days has never subsided.

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Their lives and prospects and those of their children were changed forever as the apartheid government systematically entrenched their system of oppression, racism and segregation.

11 February 1966 marks one of the most tragic and unjust days in our history, and in the months and years that followed, bulldozers crushed a community and a culture, and drowned out the protests of those who stood till the very last day hoping they could save and remain in their beloved District Six.

Many Capetonians are in some way are linked to District Six through their parents or grandparents, including myself.

I remember sitting on my grandmother’s stoep at number 39 Tennant Street.

She was forced to move to Lavender Hill because of the Group Areas Act.

Today, when I drive past the address, my happy childhood memories are mixed with the pain I feel because of her forced removal.

Perhaps I am not as invested as the people who were forced to move from District Six, but I saw the pain in giving up a life and being moved to the Cape Flats.

Despite the pain, many of us can reminisce about the fond and irreplaceable memories of District Six, the houses, the Seven Steps, the corner shops. 

The music, the moments and, most importantly, the people.

This was a community where the values of respect and love shaped it into a truly unique place.

I understand the frustration felt by so many, but in redressing this tragic event in our history, the City of Cape Town is committed and has fulfilled its role in this restitution process.

At the advent of our new democracy, government started the land claims process for thousands of people to lodge claims for land they were forcibly removed from under the Group Areas Act and dispossessed of under the Native Land Act of 1913.

The process of restitution was to begin in earnest, but this complicated process would be further delayed as it became embroiled in legal wrangling and disputes between various interest groups.

District Six was a key restitution project, but many years later the area remained a lifeless, open space with the only remaining original buildings being the mosques and churches.

I remember when the restitution process started years ago.

The establishment of the District Six Trust seemed like it would provide an avenue for families to reclaim their heritage, for themselves or their families.

But there were delays in the implementation and, we can all admit now, flaws in the original conception of how restitution would be achieved.

There were many delays until the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Gugile Nkwinti, committed the National Government to funding the process.

The City of Cape Town, the Western Cape Government, and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) have stood together in our joint determination to see the development of District Six proceed as soon as possible.

The District Six Development Committee has taken charge of new project plans and phases for implementation.

The redevelopment of District Six is primarily the responsibility of the DRDLR, who decides on what development option to pursue and drives the process to determine which applicants are the beneficiaries of the development.

The national department is also responsible for project planning.

The Western Cape Government is facilitating the restitution process and, along with the other spheres of government, is ensuring that proper consultation takes place with beneficiaries.

They have released land for the integrated redevelopment of District Six and are currently building a community health centre which is due to be completed next year.   

The City, as the landowner, has fulfilled its obligations and released the land to the national department for restitution and has provided the budget for all the bulk and internal services required for the various phases.

We have the funding available for the current Phase 3 of the project to support the national department.

We are also committed to providing the planning and rezoning changes needed to facilitate development.

We will provide all of this support and streamline applications as they are needed, and as the National Government submits comprehensive project plans to us with detailed cost estimates and timelines so that we can provide whatever is necessary as quickly as possible.

In this important restitution process, we stand firm in our mission of redress and reconciliation and will continue to do all we can to see the rightful claimants return to District Six.

Sadly, the pain of this injustice 50 years ago remains with us today but it is up to all of us – National, Provincial and Local Government, and the claimants – to make progress possible together, undo the wrongs of the past, and shape and design a better future.

 

Issued by Patricia De Lille in her capacity as the City of Cape Town Mayor on todays commemoration of District Six being declared a whites only area under the Group Areas Act.

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