Who and what is AfriForum?

AfriForum is an Afrikaans civil rights organisation that protects the rights of minority groups at national as well as provincial level, and anyone who can identify with AfriForum’s principles and objectives may join the organisation. AfriForum’s community plan focuses on mobilising communities to thus take control of their own streets and neighbourhoods again. AfriForum ensures that your constitutional and civil rights are recognised and protected at national level.

Wie en wat is AfriForum?

AfriForum is ’n Afrikaanse burgerregteorganisasie wat die regte van minderheidsgroepe op sowel nasionale as provinsiale vlak beskerm, en enigiemand wat met AfriForum se beginsels en doelstellings kan identifiseer, mag by die organisasie aansluit. AfriForum se gemeenskapsplan fokus daarop om gemeenskappe te mobiliseer om só weer beheer terug te neem oor hul eie strate en woonbuurtes. AfriForum verseker dat jou grondwetlike én burgerregte op nasionale vlak erken en beskerm word.

Benoni town hall: Phase 1 of revitalisation and clean-up project kicks off

The Benoni town hall, a once stately landmark of this East Rand town, as well as the town hall grounds and the adjacent sidewalks, have fallen into an unsightly shadow of their former glory in the past few years. The town hall was closed in 2014, and since then the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality has only made dozens of empty promises about planned renovations. It was used as a shelter for the homeless during the Covid-19 pandemic, a move that resulted in serious vandalism, and later served as a vaccination centre. Meanwhile, the decline has only continued, while the metro looks the other way.

AfriForum’s Benoni branch, however, refuses to look the other way and therefore officially kicked off a revival and clean-up project for this beacon, in collaboration with various local organisations and members of the community, this past weekend. The branch aims to put an end to the decay and poor maintenance of the building and grounds.

The first phase of the project kicked off on Saturday with the clearing of the sidewalk on Princes Avenue. Volunteers teamed up to clear bushes, grass, leaves, and litter. “The result of Saturday’s action is an impressive transformation of the front view of the town hall grounds,” explains Jurie Ferreira, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the East Rand. “Considerable progress was made, and there was satisfaction and great joy at what could be achieved within the span of just one day. We invite the community to take a leisurely drive past the town hall and witness first-hand the remarkable and extremely positive results of this initiative.”

According to Ferreira, the Benoni branch’s project aims to ensure that this landmark, of which the cornerstone was laid in 1936 and officially inaugurated in 1938, does not completely fall into disrepair and deteriorate due to poor maintenance. The branch also aims to protect other historical landmarks in Benoni from deterioration and decay. “I believe that this transformation will bring hope to the community, which is confronted with various challenges at the municipal level on a daily basis,” says Ferreira.

Ferreira further emphasises that this project is a testimony to what a community and community organisations can achieve when they team up to make a difference. He hopes that this initiative will inspire residents to get involved in the branch and to participate in similar projects.

The Benoni branch thanks every organisation and volunteer who contributes to the success of this project.

The branch hopes to start the second phase of this project soon.