City helps residents remember Juliwe Location

28 September 2017

 

Heritage Day was a big day for members of many Dobsonville residents after years of frustration and struggle.

 

The City of Johannesburg turned their anger into joy when it unveiled a plaque at Juliwe Location on September 25 2017 at Horizon View, Roodepoort West.

 

The Juliwe memorial plaque was installed to remember the people who were forced to abandon the graves of their loved ones during apartheid’s forced removals. The memorial was also to restore a sense of dignity to the people of Juliwe Location after they were evicted from their homes 50 years.

 

The plaque states: “In this cemetery lie the remains of residents of Juliwe Location, established in the early 1900s. By 1959, the cemetery contained the graves of some 3000 adults and 2635 infants. African residents of Roodepoort West were removed to Dobsonville, and they resisted the removal of the cemetery, which they insisted should remain as sacred memorial.” 

 

The memorial was attended by members of the Historic Juliwe, the Greater Dobsonville Heritage Foundation and local residents.  

 

Addressing residents at the unveiling, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development Cllr Nonhlanhla Sifumba said she was honoured to have members of the Sophiatown community joining the unveiling in solidarity. 

 

“Today we mark Heritage Month, taking the opportunity to recognise the community that was evicted from their homes in Roodeport West,” said MMC Sifumba. 

 

“We have placed a heritage plaque as a mark of respect to help keep alive a memory which will endure for all generations.

 

“We remember our ancestors with pride and admiration for their sacrifices and declaration, so as to be able to raise us and their descendants to be upright citizens of our birth,” MMC Sifumba concluded.