Charles Molele
The home of former SA Communist Party general secretary Chris Hani will be turned into a museum to celebrate his life, according to Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina.
Hani was gunned down in the driveway of his home in Boksburg on April 10 1993, a year before South Africa’s first democratic elections.
“I am happy to announce that the Dawn Park home of Chris Hani has now been declared a heritage site, and a family museum depicting the life and times of this stalwart will be opened on 10 April,” said Masina.
“The opening of the museum will present new tourism and economic opportunities for those living in the neighbourhood, and as a City we invite them to sponsor ideas on how we can make the facility an even bigger success.”
Masina said the opening of the museum on April 2020 will present new tourism and economic opportunities for those living in the neighbourhood.
Masina also announced that the Germiston Civic Centre will now be known as the OR Tambo Government Precinct: Civic Centre.
“Other monuments that have been renamed include the former Germiston Theatre, which today bears the name of Dumisani “Dumi” Masilela, an extraordinary son of the soil – an artist, a musician and a talented sportsman whose young life was cut short in a car hijacking here in our City. The facility has gone to host a number of shows since the official opening,” said Masina.
Ekurhuleni will also host for the first time a memorial lecture in honour of the later Dr Godfrey Pitje, a former acting ANC Youth League President and academic who lived in Daveyton.
Of more interest to note is that Dr Godfrey Pitje’s grave has been nominated for declaration as a heritage site.
Said Masina: “Turning to Sport, Heritage, Recreation, Arts, and Culture (SHRAC), the City has made great strides to promote the culture of sport in our communities. Some of the key highlights is the kiddies Olympics which attract hundreds of children, and the annual Ekurhuleni Diski Challenge. We have also invested millions in the upgrading of various stadiums including Makhulong, Tsakane, Huntersfield, Sinaba and KwaThema stadiums among others. All these stadiums will soon be renamed and we invite members of the public to assist us in this regard,” said Masina. “We do this and many other activities because we want to reclaim our position as a sporting mecca of the province, which once produced stars such as Teenage Dladla, Scara Ngobese and Pollen Ndlanya among others. We further believe that sport can help us free our youngsters from the shackles social ills, while also promoting social cohesion.”
