Reflecting on 60 years of loss and resilience at the District Six Museum

The District Six Museum marked the 60th anniversary of the forced removals on Wednesday, February 11, reflecting on six decades since the community was uprooted under apartheid’s Group Areas Act.

On February 11, 1966, the apartheid government enforced the Group Areas Act, leading to the forced removal of more than 60 000 residents. Families were uprooted and relocated across the Cape Flats, dismantling a vibrant, multicultural community.

Museum director Chrischene Julius said the anniversary remained a painful but important milestone.

“We remember 60 years ago because District Six was a community that was lost and dispersed across the Cape Flats,” she said. “Communities were broken up. There was a fabric of life that was forced to leave the area. For us, it is important to hold on to this day as we hold on to the value of ‘never, never, never again,” she said.

As part of the commemoration, the museum’s large floor map depicting the original layout of District Six was left blank and covered in salt as a powerful symbolic gesture. Former residents were invited to write their former addresses on cards and place them on the map with commemorative stones, reclaiming their place in the story.

“The idea is that District Six is still salted earth,” said Ms Julius. “The question we are asking is, what's next for the area in the next 60 years? How do we rebuild the community, especially for a younger generation?”

Hundreds of former residents and land claimants attended the event.

Randal Davids, 60, said his family was moved from Maidstone Street in the early 1970s to Lenteguer. “I am a successful claimant and would like to move back, but we are still waiting for the next step,” he said.

Anne Hughes, 74, who once lived in Hanover Street before her family was relocated to Grassy Park, recalled her childhood memories. “I enjoyed going to Holy Cross Primary. I went to church and used to play dodgeball in the streets,” she said.

On the day of the commemoration, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Minister of the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development (DLRRD),  Mzwanele Nyhontso, conducted a walkabout in District Six, inspecting open land earmarked for restitution housing.

Mr Hill-Lewis said the City wanted verified beneficiaries to return to new homes as soon as possible and was doing everything within its mandate to make that a reality.

"I was encouraged by Minister Nyhontso’s update that the next phase of housing for verified District Six beneficiaries is ready to be put out to tender for construction," he said.

The DLRRD oversees the restitution process. The Tatler reached out to the department for comment, but none was received before publication.

The anniversary also highlighted the ongoing tensions in the area.

During the walkabout, several residents of the Searle Street cottages in District Six protested against their evictions. In December, acting magistrate Juan de Pontes granted an eviction order for five families to vacate the properties by the end of the month (“Court orders eviction of long-time District Six residents, sparking community fears,” Southern Suburbs Tatler, January 29)

Searle Street resident Ita Haricombe, 69, described the situation as unjust. “Many of my neighbours have been living there all their lives. This is our home. Today is the 60-year commemoration, and it is still happening,” she said.

In an unsigned statement, the City said it was not directly involved in the matter but filed a housing report to the court indicating social housing assistance could be provided. The matter is now subject to appeal following the High Court’s private eviction order.

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