The project to renovate former president Nelson Mandela’s Houghton home has hit a snag.
The home, which is reportedly in ruins and in a deteriorating state, might not return to its former glory anytime soon. This after good Samaritans who have volunteered to renovate it were told to stop construction work.
Sunday World can reveal that the Collens Mashawana Foundation has been stopped in its tracks to carry out renovations. It was stopped by the Board of Trustees of the Nelson Mandela Houghton Estate.
In a letter written to stakeholders and donors who have contributed to the project to revive the home, the Collens Mashawana Foundation declared tools down after being halted by the trustees.
In the letter that Sunday World has seen, the project coordinator Shayley Clark confirms this. She states that the project has been stopped without any reason.
Project put on hold
“The Board of Trustees of the Nelson Mandela Houghton Estate has sent a letter informing the Collen Mashawana Foundation as the contracted builder that the renovation project should be put on hold.
“We acknowledge that this news may be disappointing, given the passion and support you have shown the initiative.
“Your commitment to preserving and honouring Nelson Mandela’s legacy has been truly inspiring. And we are deeply appreciative of your contributions,” the letter read.
In December, concerns started mounting after reports that the apartheid struggle icon and former statesman’s house in Johannesburg’s leafy Houghton suburb was in ruins.
Businessman and philanthropist Collen Mashawana, through his foundation, offered to renovate the home in honour of Mandela’s legacy.
Mashawana’s foundation partnered with various stakeholders and donors to make this happen. However, they were cautioned against continuing with this through a letter written to them.
In the letter to inform the stakeholders and donors of this setback, the foundation stated that this was a halt, not an entire stop of the project.
Foundation, stakeholders remain committed
“Although the project could not continue at this time, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the values and principles that Nelson Mandela championed. We will continue to explore other opportunities to celebrate his life and legacy in a manner that aligns with the board’s vision,’ the letter continued.
Speaking to Sunday World on Tuesday, the foundation’s Austin Mashawana confirmed that renovations at the home have currently been stopped.
“We are trying to organise a press conference in regards to that. But we have hit a bit of a challenge there. Not from our side. But we will be able to comment around it once we sit around as a team,” he said.
The house was supposed to be handed over to the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The date of the hand over was set for July 18, in celebration of his birthday.
Austin said the foundation had already started with work, including fixing the garden. Also fixing the boundary wall and painting.
Family matters at the heart of the temporary stoppage
Austin added that it is not yet clear if or when the renovations will resume.
“It does not look like we will find each other with the board of trustees. There are quite a number of things that are happening with family matters. And we would like to distant ourselves from [them],” he said
Sunday World had not received a comment from the Nelson Mandela Houghton Estate’s board of trustees at the time of publication. Their comment will be added once it is made available.
