By Charmaine Ndlela
The ANC in the Western Cape has accused the DA-led City of Cape Town of undermining the history and cultural heritage of the Good Hope Centre following its sale for R135 million, alongside 53 other properties that were auctioned.
The auction took place on Thursday.
ANC provincial spokesperson Sifiso Mtsweni said the decision amounts to “cultural and heritage erasure” and serves private interests rather than residents.
“The DA is desperate. It has realised that it is on its way out of power and now wants to hand over the City to its private funders,” Mtsweni said.
“The selling of the Good Hope Centre to private individuals undermines the history and cultural heritage attached to the Centre. It is a historical site deeply etched into the cultural fibre of the people of Cape Town.”
He argued that the City should prioritise addressing the housing backlog instead of disposing of public assets.
“There is a huge housing backlog in the City of Cape Town. Instead of using vacant land to build houses for the working class who cannot afford property due to high rates and costs, this demonstrates an administration that is tone-deaf,” he said.
Mtsweni also alleged that executive mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis is attempting to “strip the City of its properties” to advance political ambitions within the Democratic Alliance, including a possible leadership bid to replace John Steenhuisen.
“We are opposed to this move and will seek accountability through our councillors in Council,” he said.
This follows an online auction held by the City last week, which saw the sale of the Good Hope Centre and 53 other properties despite public objections that the assets should remain in public hands.
Reports indicate that the successful bidder is Nigerian pastor John Anosike, who runs a church on Voortrekker Road in Maitland.
The Good Hope Centre, completed in 1976, was designed as an indoor arena and exhibition venue.
It hosted trade shows, conferences, public gatherings and sporting events. However, its use declined after the opening of the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) in the early 2000s.
In a statement welcoming the ruling, the City said its land release programme aims to “unlock economic and social value for Capetonians across the metro”.
“We’ve said from the start that our land release process is lawful and transparent, and we are glad that the court has seen through these meritless applications,” said the City’s MMC for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos.
“A total of four applications have now either been struck off the roll or dismissed with costs.”
The City said revenue generated from the sales or leases would be reinvested into service delivery programmes.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) had urged the City to voluntarily postpone the auction in the interest of cooperative governance and constitutional compliance following an urgent meeting with Hill-Lewis.
The SAHRC added that the mayor indicated portions of the land could potentially have been used for social or affordable housing initiatives.
The Commission said that now that the Good Hope Centre and the 53 other properties have been sold, it will take all necessary steps within its mandate to protect constitutional rights.
In a statement, the GOOD Party called on the City to release all documentation related to the transaction.
“The City should release every valuation report, every feasibility study and every record showing how public input shaped the outcome,” the party said.
“Until then, the claim that the money will benefit residents remains unproven.”
The party added that public submissions had urged the City to reconsider whether well-located facilities such as the Good Hope Centre should be leveraged to address spatial inequality, affordable housing, community facilities and trading opportunities.
“These concerns were clear, documented and repeated, yet the City proceeded,” the statement said.
Another protest against the sale is being organised by civil society groups and opposition parties.
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