The Hall in Extension 9 is now operating more or less normally. Earlier this year we published a front page
article about the launch fiasco that resulted from the municipal authorities’ failure to include residents from the immediate vicinity in organising the event.
The Hall in Extension 9 is now operating more or less normally. Earlier this year we published a front page
article about the launch fiasco that resulted from the municipal authorities’ failure to include residents from the immediate vicinity in organising the event.
They were angry because certain traditional practices had not been followed, so they protested and shouted nasty slogans about Makana Municipality.
At that point we were only able to describe the hall from the outside it looked impressive and appeared to be just what residents had requested.
Initially the community said they were going to boycott the hall because a cow had not been slaughtered on the premises.
There was a risk that this striking building was going to become a white elephant, but residents soon realised that they would be spiting themselves if they turned their backs on it.
Without any fanfare, people started booking the hall and using it for its intended purposes. Pragmatism prevailed over principle and since the failed launch; it has been used for weddings, funerals, karate training and public interest meetings.
The hall in question is large, well designed and still feels new. It stands out in stark contrast to the modest houses in the area even though the parking lot is still a mess and the hump at the drive-in entrance is quite high for most vehicles.
It is advisable to ask your heavier passengers to get out of your car before going through the gate unless you don’t mind hearing the sound of metal scraping against metal.
It would appear that now almost everything is in order at the brand new Extension 9 Hall, except for the outstanding issue of what to call it.
Should we continue to refer to is as the Extension 9 Hall, or should we think of something with more meaning?
Perhaps the most fitting name for the hall should be to honour Sindile Coko, the construction worker who died while building this community hall for everyone to use.
