PHOENIX – NORTH OF DURBAN – IS BEING TURNED INTO A SLUM BY THE NEW DEMOCRATIC MUNICIPALITY

(PARTS OF THE REDFERN SPORTS FIELD BEING DESTROYED BY THE LOCAL ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY)

(FILTH AND RUBBISH THAT ARE FOUND ALMOST EVERYWHERE ALONG EASTBURY DRIVE IN PHOENIX) October 21 2018 By Subry Govender

(FILTH AND RUBBISH FOUND ALMOST EVERYWHERE ON EASTBURY DRIVE) I was driving on the road alongside the railway line in Phoenix, Eastbury Drive, early today when I was once again taken aback and shocked at what greeted me. Large piles of rubbish, filth, and all kinds of unwanted material were dumped on both sides of the road at several spots. This is not the first time that this reckless destruction of the environment has engulfed this area and several other places in what is supposed to be the residential area of Phoenix. What is really going on? Is the municipality showing any concern for the environment in Phoenix and other residential areas inhabited mainly by those who are considered to be disadvantaged and marginalised?

(MR JOHN PILLAY OF THE "SAVE OUR REDFERN SPORTS FIELDS" STANDING ON THE SOCCER FIELD THAT IS BEING DESTROYED BY THE ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY) Then when I turned on the road leading to Unit 11, near the Ferndale school, I noticed a large piece of land, which used to be a playground for school children and a sports field for footballers and cricketers, being dug up and levelled by tractors and bulldozers. I don’t know what is going to be built on this piece of land but I was informed that houses are to be built here. Once again another playground and sports field is being torn apart and ripped away from the children of Phoenix. What are the children going to do after school hours if there are no sports field or playgrounds for them to fine tune their talents in soccer, cricket, and other sports? The capture of every piece of playground and sports field in Phoenix for the construction of houses will turn the residential area into a large slum. Is this what the new democratic municipality want to see? Why can’t the municipality build more houses in large tracts of vacant land that are found outside Phoenix?

(YOUNGSTERS WHO WANT TO PLAY SOCCER BEING DEPRIVED OF THEIR SPORTSFIELD BY CORRUPT MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS WHO ARE IN LEAGUE WITH UNSAVOURY ELELMENTS) It’s actions like these by the municipality is driving many young people into all kinds of anti-social activities such as drugs and alcohol. The lives of thousands of young people are being destroyed because it seems the municipality is adopting a don’t care attitude. It seems that the municipality want to see the destruction of the residential areas where people of colour live and eke out a livelihood. SAVE OUR REDFERN SPORTSFIELD

(Mr Johnny Pillay standing on ground that has already been excavated) I spoke to one of the community leaders and sports administrators, Mr John Pillay, at the sportsfield on Sunday, October 21 (2018). Mr Pillay and some of his colleagues have established the “Save Our Redfern Sportsfields” to highlight the destruction of their sports fields, playgrounds and open spaces. He told me that they only realised three weeks ago that their sports field was being destroyed for a housing development when they found that excavators were digging up and levelling the large sports field. “We took some pictures and established the ‘Save Our Redfern Sportsfield Committee’. We sent our objections to all the councillors, ministers, and the council because there have been no consultations. “This is the only sports field serving Redfern, Wet Fern and the children from Inanda, Bester, and other residential areas around us. “Previously during the FPL days, football clubs such as Berea, Tongaat Crusaders, and Manning Rangers used to use this ground. Our children used to join these clubs. “It was one of the most vibrant sports fields in Phoenix. But now the community is devastated with what is going on.”

(A SECTION OF THE REDFERN/FERNDALE SPORTSFIELD THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN RIPPED APART BY THE MUNICIPALITY) Mr Pillay said some councillors had responded to their concerns and had taken up the matter. “We have had some reaction from Councillor Samir who has been quite helpful. Councillor Stanley Moonsamy, about a year ago, showed us a document that placed a moratorium on building on sports fields. I tried to get hold of him but unfortunately he is not available at all. “We have had some discussions with George Mari and he has written to the Public Protector. My big worry is that this excavation is continuing and the destruction is continuing and continuing.” Mr Pillay said the destruction of sports fields was ongoing and it seemed that “the authorities just don’t care about us”. WE ARE BEING DESTROYED

(HUGE TRUCKS BEING USED TO DESTROY THE REDFERN/FERNDALE SPORTS FIELD) “The situation is serious. We are trying to meet with MEC Ravi Pillay but he has not yet responded to us. It seems this issue is not being taken seriously by the ruling party. We as a community are just being taken for granted. Our main concern is how did this happen, when did this happen, who was responsible and how did this happen without consultation taking place with the community of Redfern and greater people of Phoenix? “We in Redfern are very concerned about what is going on because this is of sentimental value to us. We are a united community with settlements around us. We want to create a community that is united and this field was one of the focal points of our unity. Now we are not only being betrayed but the future of our children is also being destroyed. “We are very concerned that at the rate this municipality is functioning our children will have no sports fields or open spaces to play. This ultimately will lead to the children resorting to all kinds of anti-social activities.”

(PART OF THE SPORTSFIELD ALREADY DUG UP) “TO PLAY OR NOT TO PLAY” While I was writing this article, I received a letter that Mr Bhana Morar wrote to the Public Protector about the soccer fields of Ferndale and Eastbury being destroyed for the enrichment of the wealthy elite. In an emotional plea, Mr Morar points out that the two soccer fields had been used for more than 40 years by the community of Phoenix. After outlining the history and struggles by the people for equality, Mr Morar called for an urgent investigation into the sale of the soccer fields to a construction company. He wrote: “This sporting facility is a thriving venue for the many residents in a Black township which cannot continuously be pushed from pillar to post to suit the rise of the corporate elite of Black Economic Empowerment ventures. “We urgently request your reputable office to investigate the sale of the recreational site (soccer fields) – Eastbury and Ferndale – , which has been in use for more than 40 years by the local community of Phoenix.” Mr Morar referred to the rich legacy of Curries Fountain and asked: “When will we start to create the likes of Paula and Seelan, Smiley Moosa, and Dharam Mohan if the primary building foundation of such soccer institutions are continuously being taken away from a deserving community?”

POLITICAL PARTIES AND THEIR COUNCILLORS MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONTINUED DESTRUCTION OF PHOENIX

CORRUPTERS AND CORRUPTEES MUST BE ERADICATED The continued destruction of Phoenix raises the question of the role of councillors, municipal officials and the political parties that operate in the area. While some councillors may be trying to work with community leaders like Mr John Pillay but it seems that most of them are not active at all. Why are most of the officials not doing their job and highlighting the degeneration of Phoenix? Are they not concerned that this residential area is being turned into a large slum? These so-called officials politicians are being paid huge salaries. If they cannot work in the interests of the community at large then they must just find alternative ways to earn a living. You are not doing the people of Phoenix any favours. They must speak out and act against the social destruction of Phoenix or just get out! – ends (subrygovender@gmail.com)

(MR JOHN PILLAY WITH SOME OF THE YOUNGSTERS WANTING TO PLAY SOCCER BUT THEIR ASPIRATIONS ARE BEING DASHED BY THE DESTRUCTION OF THE FERNDALE/REDFERN SOCCER FIELD)