Carlo Petersen
A DREAM to return to District Six ended for Amiena Adams last week when she died while waiting for restitution from the Land Claims Commission.
Adams, 71, who grew up in District Six before being forcibly removed from the area in 1981, died last Friday.
Her son, Adenaan Abdul, 49, said Adams often shared fond memories of where they used to live.
“I was 15 when we were removed. District Six was home for our family, and after we had to leave my mom would always speak about Bloemhof Flats and going back there one day.
“She really hoped the land claim would come through before she died. It was her wish to return there,” he said.
Adbul, who lives in Lentegeur and has taken over the land claim, said to date the family has received no correspondence from the commission.
“My mother made the claim in 1998,” he said.
Helene Sables, 62, also made a land claim on behalf of her father who died, John Daniels, who was the first person of colour to serve on the finance committee of the unified South African Rugby Football Union in 1995.
Daniels also died last Friday and had often lamented the delay in the land claims process.
After 19 years, Sables eventually moved into a redeveloped house in Pontac Street, District Six in 2013.
Sables added that by the time the claim was processed, her father was too frail to move into the new house, and opted to stay in his family’s care in Athlone.
“I’m happy I got to move into the house, but it is a pityit had to take so long. My father had to relinquish the claim on my behalf because he had already grown old,” said Sables.
The District Six Working Committee (DSWC) has taken up the cudgels on behalf of more than 1 000 District Six land claimants. The committee said it would make formal complaints against the Land Claims Commission at the Human Rights Commission and public protector later this month.
DSWC chairman Shahied Ajam said numerous claimants had died while waiting for restitution.
“The exact number, I cannot say, but every year dozens die waiting to return to District Six. This process is clearly flawed and needs to be investigated,” he said.
Provincial Department of Rural Development and Land Reform spokesman Vuyani Nkasayi said yesterday it was a very sad situation that people were dying while waiting for claims to be settled.
“The government has noted that the land claims process is taking a long time and has tried to remedy the situation by changing the Land Claims Act. We have also increased our staff capacity and skills.
“We are moving forward with the process and fast-tracking the unfinished claims,” he assured.