Rivonia Woods

What should have been a meeting celebrating the importance of Liliesleaf in the history of not only our area but that in country turned into a farce.

Petty-minded is the phrase that springs to mind.  Nic Wolpe at the outset requested that this public-particpation meeting focus on the reason of the meeting i.e. the pending declartion of Liliesleaf as a National Heritage Site.

Heidi Wheldon of the SAHRA presneted an outline of the case for Liliesleaf to be declared a heritage site and the implications it meant for the declared properties.

Then it was Q&A time.  Nic was rightfully pushed for a date for the meeting he had mentioned when he opened the meeting.  He said that it should occur before the 15 April and after Easter.

Despite a request that the issues surrounding the dilapidated properties aka the Hotel site be parked for a separate meeting, certain members of the community decided this was the time to try to squeeze concessions out of Liliesleaf.  Question-after-question that had nothing to do with the Declaration was fired off – repeatedly.  These people were not there to celebrate an incredibly important event not only in our community – but nationally.

After the incredibly hostile Q&A in which Liliesleaf defended their role in the community (or lack thereof).  A large element of the audience left, leaving the SAHRA delegation to finish their presentation to a much smaller audience.

So what was really achieved?  An even worse relationship with Liliesleaf than ever before and an even bigger bridge to build between the residents and Liliesleaf – which is not going anywhere.