The provincial government apologised and said it regretted that Irene Grootboom, a homeless Wallacedene woman whose name became synonymous with a Constitutional Court ruling for homeless people's rights to proper housing - did not get the home she was entitled to while she was still alive.
The government on Tuesday gave Grootboom's family a house, a day before a lecture series in her memory begins.
Despite her 2000 court victory, which was also won on behalf of 510 children and 390 other adults, and obtaining a housing subsidy in 2005, Grootboom was still living in a shack when she died last month.
Asked if Tuesday's house handover was an admission of guilt by authorities, Premier Lynne Brown said: "Its not an admission of guilt. It is actually more an expression of regret and an apology that we, provincial and local government, were not able to deliver this house in 2005."
Brown said the Grootboom matter had opened the eyes of the provincial and local governments to the plight of the poor.
"What happened to Irene Grootboom must never happen to someone else in this province. While we respect the fact that Irene Grootboom died while living in a shack, we can say her legacy to her family is that they can live in a house," Brown said.
Asked why the government was absent when Grootboom fought for the homeless, Brown said: "I would not say that (government was absent)...So I would not say that. I would say more that I feel very sorry we've not been able to do it sooner."
Grootboom's aunt, Rosie Zana, said: "This is too late. This should have happened when Irene was still alive. She should have seen what she fought so long and hard for. Irene actually got nothing."
About the many government officials and 500 people who attended the occasion, Zana said: "People are being used when it comes closer to elections. This is just a sideshow. I think Irene would not have wanted this. All she wanted was her house."
Peter Roman, who was Grootboom's partner, said: "There were no politicians around when she fought her battles. Now they are all here. I think it is wrong."
- Cape Times
The government on Tuesday gave Grootboom's family a house, a day before a lecture series in her memory begins.
Despite her 2000 court victory, which was also won on behalf of 510 children and 390 other adults, and obtaining a housing subsidy in 2005, Grootboom was still living in a shack when she died last month.
Asked if Tuesday's house handover was an admission of guilt by authorities, Premier Lynne Brown said: "Its not an admission of guilt. It is actually more an expression of regret and an apology that we, provincial and local government, were not able to deliver this house in 2005."
Brown said the Grootboom matter had opened the eyes of the provincial and local governments to the plight of the poor.
"What happened to Irene Grootboom must never happen to someone else in this province. While we respect the fact that Irene Grootboom died while living in a shack, we can say her legacy to her family is that they can live in a house," Brown said.
Asked why the government was absent when Grootboom fought for the homeless, Brown said: "I would not say that (government was absent)...So I would not say that. I would say more that I feel very sorry we've not been able to do it sooner."
Grootboom's aunt, Rosie Zana, said: "This is too late. This should have happened when Irene was still alive. She should have seen what she fought so long and hard for. Irene actually got nothing."
About the many government officials and 500 people who attended the occasion, Zana said: "People are being used when it comes closer to elections. This is just a sideshow. I think Irene would not have wanted this. All she wanted was her house."
Peter Roman, who was Grootboom's partner, said: "There were no politicians around when she fought her battles. Now they are all here. I think it is wrong."
The lectures are to educate on constitutional rights and landmark cases that advanced those rights. The series runs until October 15 and confirmed speakers include Dr Mamphela Ramphele, advocate Geoff Budlender and Dr Judith February. |
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