Meeting,+Future+of+Workers+Library+and+Newtown,+14h00+May+19

The Workers Library and Museum
52, Jeppe Street

=The Future of the Workers Library and Museum and new Developments in Newtown=


 * Invitation**

to a discussion on the latest development plans for Newtown and their impact on the Workers Library and Museum as well as the public and cultural space in the precinct


 * What Public meeting on JDA’s plans for Newtown**

Where Workers Library and Museum
 * 52, Jeppe Street, Newtown, Johannesburg**


 * When Friday, 19th of May 2006, 2 pm**


 * Host The Workers Library and Museum**
 * Contact** **wlm_newtown@gmx.net** **or 084 2002 614**
 * (Anne-Katrin Bicher)**

The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) and its developers intend building a hotel in front of the Workers Library and Museum, a national monument. The JDA conceded to the fact that it should have consulted the heritage authorities prior to selling the land around the museum.

The Workers Library and Museum in Newtown, which is part of the Newtown’s cultural heritage, is estimated to have been built between 1905 and 1911. Today the compound is the only strong and original symbol remaining depicting the extra-economic coercion of the migrant labour system which compelled black workers from other parts of South Africa and Southern Africa to leave families and homes in rural areas and come to the cities to work as part of the cheap black labour system. The compound is the place that tells a story of a racially segregated working class. Black workers lived under dreadful conditions and received low wages in relation to their white counterparts. At the back of the single-sex hostel, there are white artisan’s houses, which were occupied by white craftsmen who had better living conditions and wages in relation to their black counterparts. The domestic quarters adjacent to the house tell a story of domestic work in white areas. These historical and political reasons compelled government to declare the Workers Library and Museum a national monument. By proposing a construction of hotel adjacent to the museum, we strongly believe that the JDA is undermining a rich history of the workers which is embodied in the workers’ museum.

Among other things, the construction of the hotel on the park in front of the museum would disconnect the Workers’ Compound from the park and heritage resources that exist on the side of the park. The park is also an important and central space for workers and community meetings as well as cultural events.

Furthermore we are aware of the fact that the JDA is planning other developments in Newtown which should be subject of a critical public debate. The impact of these mere commercial developments on the heritage resources, the cultural initiatives, and the public space affected does raise many questions.

Therefore we are kindly inviting trade unions, social movements, NGOs, artists, and tenants in Newtown to a public meeting on the latest development plans of the JDA for the areas defined as Central Place Precinct and the Majestic Site[|[1]] and their impact on Newtown as a cultural space with a strong working class history.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss with the interested public and affected stakeholders their perspective on the proposed construction of the hotel and the other development sites. The public participation process and steps that may be taken to create and communicate alternative ideas for Newtown’ s future can also be looked at.

Member of the Workers Library and Museum Board
 * Petrus Mashishi**

516 words

[|[1]] The Central Place precinct covers the space between Miriam Makeba Street and Ntemi Piliso Street, Jeppe Street, Henry Nxumalo Street and President Street. The Majestic site is situated just opposite the Market Theatre on the corner of Miriam Makeba Street and Bree Street and east of Margaret Mcingana pedestrian mall.