Is Kanana the first class Area Now?

Driving inn the area, 15 years of democracy and existence of Kanana you will be welcomed by the dusty streets even the car can’t travel inn, Dumping on the side of the road and every community site, no recreational center, no library, no school, no clinics, no child care centres the only private for those who are employed and have money, no street lights which contribute to the crime in the area. Poverty is the order of the day, 95% unemployment rate in the area. Houses are like toilets some even cracking. Despite the numbers of demonstrations and negotiations with the local and provincial government but still no changes.

After Apartheid

After Election

After the elections when the new Black government took over the Presidency. Everyone had the hope for better future, better houses and services as promised. As the first Informal settlement in the South Africa everyone who took the office wanted to come and tour the area.995 as the first Housing Minister Joe Slovo saw the area as the chance for him to prove apartheid wrong and crime against humanity he never hesitated to put his food and make promise to give bigger houses than the one of apartheid. He also declares Kanana as the priority settlement then put the area under the rapid land programme. He invested R10million in federation housing funds called (Uchani funds) on housing scheme of Kanana. As cancer ate his body and his imminent departure score his soul. He seems to acknowledge in a small way the fundamental strategy to repay the apartheid debts to the black population by forcing the private sectors to build house for the black population of South Africa.withought any possibility of seeing the ends of justice that had been his life. He offered enough to take the people of Kanana to the next stage and no more.

About Kanana

KANANA is the name of the informal settlement situated at Vaal which is now called Sedibeng at the Southrensite of Johannesburg. When going to the area forced to drive over the Secondary road Called Golden highway or National road called N1. You pass through Grasmere, willies farm, Orange farm then left site you come across Kanana.

Historical Background

The Vaal itself is a historical area, when one hear the name you think of the defiance campaigns like Asinamali campaigns (one of the big Rent Boycott) Boipatong Massaccar, Boipatong massaccar which now Human rights day. The lot of things that can remind someon about the area.

During the time of the struggle though it toward the end of liberation struggle in South Africa when the Backyard Dwellers from the old townships of the Vaal like Evaton, Small farm and Sebokeng wanted to put the last nail to the end of Apartheid as they were tied up in the situation where they have to pay rent to there land owners hence everyone was restrained from paying a rent. The way to find the solution to the problem was to look for an alternative place to avoid Black against Black Violence. They community recognised the land which was an open space outside small farm. The land belonging to the then called Vaal provincial Administration. Though they had the plan but the Apartheid government was very hash on land invasion. Even though they know the result will be tortured and arrests, as the wounds of Boipatong massacre, Sharpeville shooting and other suffering we had was still open and painful. The people united to take over what belongs to them. It was on the 16^th April 1994 when they invade the land as you can see it was 11 Day towards the first National election in South Africa. Soldiers and the police were deployed to threaten the community they surround the area everyday to threaten people from building there shacks, but people ignored them. We knew it was dangerous but we never give-up we continue we mobilised our own defend unit. In the day we had 1500 sharks, the community unites and donate R20, 00 for installation of water which they had to do for themselves. It was amazed that 171 communal taps were installed. the Community leaders referred back to the bible to find the name for the area, the community find it Good to called it the place of milk and honey as it was won through hard times of struggle.

Now everyone is settled the name is KANANA.