CAPE TOWN – Hundreds of people from Mfuleni and surrounding areas gathered at Manzomthombo Secondary School playground in the area on Saturday 31 January to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this area’s existence.
The event was attended by the City’s mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis accompanied by Mayco member for community services and health Francine Higham.
Addressing the crowd Hill-Lewis said the City is turning Mfuleni into a construction site. He said there are four housing projects that are currently underway in the area.
“As we speak, we have four projects that are happening in different areas in Mfuleni which includes Shukushukuma, Bosasa Link, Mfuleni Extension 1 and Aloe Ridge. We are also investing in sports and recreation facilities in Mfuleni, he said.
He declared Mfuleni as one of the crime zones under the City adding that they are trying by all means to strengthen the security to ensure that everyone is safe.
Hill-Lewis pronounced that he will do whatever it takes to ensure the construction of the permanent police station in Mfuleni.
“Mfuleni doesn’t have a police station. We need a permanent structure to be built. If the national government wants to build a police station for Mfuleni the City can offer the land for free of charge,” he said.
One of the residents who was among the first group that arrived in Mfuleni, Violent Mnyimba (76), said the first people arrived in the area in 1975. She said they were coming from different areas from Somerset West, Gordons Bay, Vredendal etc.
“There was a forest all over Mfuleni. We were the last group of areas in the province. When we arrived here, our population was 160 people. There were only hostels that were built there which were dominated by males. The area grows as the years go by,” said Mnyimba, adding that the area was made up of coloureds and black people.
She said the law enforcement officers were so strict that drinking in public was not allowed.
“The Old Location was established in 1980 and at that time we were under Stellenbosch municipality. But we were so united and there was order. If you are drunk the officers will catch you and put you in a bath full of water,” she said, adding that her brother used to bathe every day because he was always drunk.
Ward 114 councillor Ernest Madikane described the event as a special day.
He said they are writing history. He expressed his gratitude to the heroes and heroines who played a vital role in developing the community.
“We salute our leaders who played a huge role in developing the community. We want to see Mfuleni developed. We want to see our young people benefitting in the economy of our area,” said Madikane. He said the 50th anniversary is not child’s play. He urged all the community stakeholders to unite and fight against crime
