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.