By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
It was in April, 2019, during the total shutdown, that Alex’s unhappy residents marched to the regional offices of the City of Johannesburg in Sandton.
They wanted to give the grievance memorandum to former mayor Herman Mashaba who had not come. However, Rob Robson was the one who received the memorandum on Mashaba’s behalf.
The main challenges requiring immediate attention were sewer blockage, mushrooming of illegal structures, illegal connections, uncollected waste, poor roads, potholes, and land invasion, among others.
Tommy Fox, a resident of River Park (47), a relatively unknown ANC comrade, became famous when he imitated the infamous ‘deadman’ whose pastor Alpha Lukau of Ministries Alleluia allegedly raised from the dead.
While Fox claimed to be unconscious, Elizabeth Nkwana of the 17th Selborne acted like Lukau by offering him water, making the protest interesting when he posed in simulation.
Fox said: “I went into exile in 1973 and came back in 1997 but there’s no change in Alex.”
Two years after the infamous total closure, another is planned for April 28, which will see everything come to a standstill in Alex. But this one has its own complaints.
According to Lucky Mabona, an organizer of the total shutdown, their complaint is mainly to defend Alexandra.
Mabona maintains that Alexandra’s descendants are not considered to be part of any economic or social development.
“We want to make sure that the authorities understand that everything that is being done in Alex should also benefit the people of Alex.
“For example, the containers at Marlboro, why are they for others?
“Secondly, from an economic point of view, Alex’s small businesses are not supported.
“How long will we remain subcontractors in our own township?
“Socially, Alex is a congested township. The Frankenwald question is being dragged by the people in power. They want all of us to perish before this issue is solved,” said Mabona.
He stated that the previous shutdown was against Mashaba while this one is against the system.
“Give us our 60% as Alexandrians, and 40% to whomever, so that the economy stays in the hands of our community.
“We have so many issues that we want our government to address. And we’re going to take the memorandum to the Premier and also send it to the President.”
He said they will issue a press release about the day’s activities.
The closure of the busy township, according to Mabona, is a real defense mechanism for the inhabitants of Alexandra.
