Joburg toll protests date back 117 years

Published Nov 10, 2014

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Johannnesburg - Joburgers, it seems, have always objected to paying e-toll fees: their first protest against tolls was in 1897.

In those years, when the city was in its early stages of development, municipal authorities decided to erect a toll gate outside Belgravia, which was the city’s first gated suburb. They did this to raise money to maintain and fix roads in the upmarket area.

Through vociferous objections, residents succeeded in having the toll gates removed.

This is just one of many fascinating and little-known es of the history of Jeppestown, a heritage area that residents and business owners are trying to revive as a historic and tourist area. The suburb is set to be upgraded thanks to the efforts of residents, schools and institutions - all keen to preserve its history and to integrate it with the new generation of residents.

A group, headed by the School of Practical Philosophy and St James Preparatory School, have appointed a town planner to help them with their plans.

“We want to start with small things which will make a difference,” architect Christine Meissner said. “This will include establishing proper gateways and markers to the area to make it feel like a coherent precinct. The gateways and the main streets will have properly paved pavements, signage, street upgrades, greening with trees, and lighting.”

Jeppe station, built in 1895, presents the opportunity of being one of the gateways which can be used as a public space linking Maboneng and Jeppestown.

STRATEGIC PLAN

“Jeppestown is blessed with lots of green space - much of it is fenced off or used privately by institutions," Meissner said. “We need to have a strategic plan to make these parks safe. This is an area where children play happily in the streets, but we want to see them in the parks.”

The suburb, which was founded in 1870 when the Jeppe family emigrated from Germany to Pretoria, is home to the first monument erected in Johannesburg at the Jeppestown Oval. The area houses the Grand Station Hotel, built in 1896, the Jeppestown post office (1897), Jeppe Boys’ High School (1906) and the Fairview Fire Tower (1906) - the only remaining fire tower in the city.

 With the discovery of gold in 1886, the Jeppes moved to Johannesburg, where a syndicate controlled by the family bought a large area known as Randjeslaagte between the present Commissioner Street and Hospital Hill.

 The land bore no gold, so the syndicate, called the Ford and Jeppe Estate Company, developed it as a township, which was proclaimed in 1889. Five years later, it had 421 buildings, two churches, a masonic temple, St Mary’s Collegiate School for Girls (now St James Preparatory School), a library and 5647 residents.

There was a mixture of residential housing for artisans and miners and the more affluent houses belonging to randlords. The decline started as early as the 1930s as people started moving north.

“Jeppestown is in a run-down and dilapidated state. But it has everything going for it - small and large residential and historic houses, parks, industry, retail and businesses, all in proximity,” Meissner said.

“With its significant heritage-rich architecture, moderately low prices and its proximity to the CBD it presents an opportunity for young and upcoming people to invest in the inner city. The challenge lies in turning it around by restoring confidence.”

The Star

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