Expanded park opens

The third phase of the freshly renamed Petrus Molefe Eco Park is not only a recreational space; it is also a memorial where the younger generation can learn about the price paid and sacrifices made for freedom.

Petrus Molefe Eco-Park, with the Klipspruit in the backgrondPetrus Molefe Eco-Park, with the Klipspruit in the backgrondThe facility, which is 700m2 in size, combines phases one and two of the park formerly known as Dhlamini Eco Park, as well as phase three – an extreme park makeover that was started and finished last week.

Joburg City Parks has become something of an expert in extreme park makeovers, in which neglected, vacant land is turned into green recreational facilities in 24 hours or less. The programme falls under the Greening Joburg initiative, set up to reclaim and improve neglected spaces.

The Petrus Molefe Park extreme park was started on Thursday and completed on Friday, 9 December, when all three phases of the park were officially opened and renamed by the acting executive mayor, Mally Mokoena.

As it was named after a one of the unsung heroes of Soweto, known for his devotion to the struggle, the opening drew a wide audience. It included anti-apartheid activists and former Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) veterans Ahmed Kathrada, Shirish Nandohai and Laloo Chiba.

The former mayor of Johannesburg, Amos Masondo, was also there. They were joined by City officials and mayoral committee members, members of Umkhonto we Sizwe Veterans Association and of the community.

Read more: http://www.joburg.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7560&catid=88&Itemid=266#ixzz1gVXnhavY