MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Saddened to say “Bye Red Location Cultural Precinct”

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The Red Location Museum and Precinct is being stripped like ants would strip a carcass

Dear MyPE

If there is any politician, official or community member still hoping and thinking that the Red Location Cultural Precinct will be restored, just letting you know that I have personally given up.

Red Location is the historic place where I was personally challenged by residents during an Apartheid State of Emergency Era to move into the township, and where I’m still living.

What is happening at the Precinct breaks my heart! I was honoured to work there as it’s Marketing Manager since the early pre-launch days when it was still only the Red Location Museum. And I witnessed the additions of the Red Location Art Gallery and the Red Location Electronic Library/Archives, which were sadly never opened.

Today I’m saddened by many of our top political leaders/ministers who made false promises to affected residents before their protest and resultant forceful closure of the Precinct since October 2013, for since 2000 it was falsely promised that their homes which were falling apart, were going to be rectified.

And I’m so frustrated, to say the least, at the Local Nelson Mandela Government, especially the Nelson Mandela Metro Arts & Culture Department, which couldn’t even after all these years secure the Precinct from vandalisation with proper fencing!!!

I know in my heart, this place has no more chance to be rescued and restored, because right now, it’s being stripped from the roof down.

And there is absolutely nothing the relevant Metro Government will or have in its power, to do about it… We all realise that by now.

Government seemingly has been predominantly reduced to officials attending meetings/training/compiling reports…. I understand that, because as a former official, I experienced the frustrations of working under a passionless system/beast as well!

Best Regards

Annette

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Port Elizabethan

This author is a 'catch-all' for occasional articles and letters written to MyPE. The Author of each article can be found in the signature at the bottom of each individual article.