George ANC chairman: 'I have a dream'

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GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - The chairman of the ANC in George, Langa Langa, says his dream is that George, "The city for all reasons", also becomes "The city for all races".

Langa envisages a city where all races not only live in harmony, but mingle socially and enjoy living side by side.

"The racism on social media is worrisome. It may only be a few people who are blatantly racist, but where are the white voices condemning this? Whites should speak up when other whites make derogatory comments, otherwise it seems like they agree."

In an interview at the ANC office in Hibernia Street in the CBD, Langa said the city is still divided among racial lines and George Municipality should write its spatial development plan in a way that facilitates integration.

"Whites are still living in the traditionally white areas, coloureds live together and black people are concentrated in Thembalethu. Thembalethu is removed from the rest of the community.

"The open land in and closer to the heart of George must be developed for integrated housing, bringing the poor closer to their jobs and other facilities."

He said the current low cost housing projects perpetuate the apartheid era Group Areas Act.

"Spread people of all races and different income groups in developments across George. Once people get to know each other, their fear of the 'other' will disappear. People will start to see individuals, not just blacks or whites."

Model for success

Langa called on the municipality to make the next housing project a perfect model of integration.

He said the land opposite the old Metro alongside PW Botha Boulevard in Borcherds is an example of where such a development will work.

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"The people who earn too much to qualify for homes, but too little to get home loans can also be accommodated. Current rentals are unaffordable.

"If government and the municipality build apartment complexes to rent out amid the other low cost houses and where the people pay for water and electricity, this could be a win-win situation.

"Rosedale [the housing development between Pacaltsdorp and the N2] was a missed opportunity."

He said George Municipality needs to employ excellent town planners who are able to prioritise.

"Housing delivery should be sped up to avoid further trouble. Forward planning and thinking are all-important and for this we need visionary town planners. We can do much better. Let's address the situation while we can."

Langa also made an urgent appeal to the municipality and provincial housing department to upgrade the so-called bungalow housing in Thembalethu.

The bungalows are wooden houses that people were moved to from other areas like Lawaaikamp.

"The houses are falling apart and are mostly occupied by elderly people who cannot upgrade the houses themselves. We need a structural engineer to inspect these homes, but even if the houses can just get emergency repairs for now, it would be a start."