The man who won the bid to buy the land on which Kaizer Chiefs held their first training sessions in Phefeni, Orlando West, is yet to make up his mind on what he wants to do with his new acquisition.
Ewarts Malope won the bid for the piece land in one of the coveted areas of Soweto for R2.2m at an auction last week. He said he went to see the property only for the first time this week. During the visit on Tuesday, he met a resident who shared some insights on what has been happening on the bare piece of land.
The land has been a subject of dispute between the community and its previous owner Cliff Becker who wanted to develop it for housing. Locals however stopped Becker's plan as they wished for the ground to be turned into a football heritage site. The ground, which is in the childhood neighbourhood of Chiefs founder and chairperson Kaizer Motaung was for the team's training sessions in 1970.
“I only met one guy who gave me the whole story of what has been happening with the land. He basically told me that if I go ahead, people are not going to accept that transaction. I then informed the previous owner that this is what is happening. He gave me documents to prove that the land was privately owned. I am looking forward to meet with the Motaungs to hear what is the story about the land,” Malope said.
Becker reached an agreement with the Uniting Reformed Church which originally owned the land to build 43 houses on the piece of land several years ago. The church building adjacent the ground recently caught fire.
“I have not decided on what to do with the land, but I’m aware that there is an approved site development plan,” Malope said.
“It was auctioned to the public. I participated as a willing South African in the bidding process. I do not see what could be the reason for anyone to block any development on that land… I am also a resident of Soweto and I do believe that as a Sowetan, I also have to grow just like the Motaungs and the Maponyas. You cannot find joy in oppressing your own people not to grow if they follow the right process to obtain access to land.
“I am not different from Motaung. He is a resident, I am a resident. He is a black man, I am a black man. I have the same rights as him. I have not stolen the land. I bid in an open auction and won the land. The process was open to everyone.”
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