Kathorus residents call for the reconstruction of Natalspruit Hospital
“We want to say to the community you can build in a dolomitic area. Modern technology makes it possible, however, it is a bit expensive.”
Kathorus residents will launch the Natalspruit Hospital Concerned Residents Committee (NHCRC) at DH Williams Hall on February 25 to advance the reconstruction of Natalspruit Hospital.
Natalspruit Hospital was demolished in 2014 by the Gauteng Department of Health and the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development because it was built on dolomitic land.
The NHCRC wants the hospital to return to normal operations, citing that demolishing and relocating it has left at least 2.3 million people without access to quality affordable healthcare in Thokoza and Katlehong.
The committee believes the decision to decommission the hospital was wrong and not in the best interest of the residents. They say scientific studies and cases have proven that any structure can be built in a dolomitic area.
The NHCRC is a non-political initiative founded by concerned residents in February 2022. It consists of 20 executive members. The top five include chairperson Kenneth Nkwanyana, deputy chairperson Moses Mofokeng, secretary Lwazi Barnabas, deputy secretary Comet Moopi, treasurer Phindile Ntuli and 15 additional members.
The chairperson, Nkwanyana, said the committee was formed in response to calls by residents from the affected townships, requesting the reconstruction of the hospital on its original site.
“The issue has been a concern for many people, but there was no one to coordinate it. We had to use available structures in the community that are not political,” said Nkwanyana.
He said they looked at an array of structures like youth structures, CPF and stakeholders like local businesses and doctors to find out how to address the matter because many people are concerned about it.
“We feel there was no reason for moving the hospital. For that reason, we decided to communicate with the media to introduce ourselves so people can attend the launch to hear why we need this hospital.
“There is a notion that the area is dolomitic, therefore you cannot build on it. We want to say to the community you can build in a dolomitic area. Modern technology makes it possible, however, it is a bit expensive,” he said.
Nkwanyana said the story of the area sinking does not hold because they know huge structures have been built on dolomite.
The secretary, Barnabas, reiterated this by pointing out examples of dolomitic areas where structures were built.
“In Mofokeng Section, Katlehong, next to Katlehong North SAPS, there was an Engen petrol station moved because it was dolomitic, but now there is a hardware shop.
“We also have the Letsoho Shopping Center. They said it is dolomitic but it was extended. The owners of Letsoho are part of the committee. They confirmed it was dolomitic. They brought in engineers and the shopping centre is still standing.
“Another one is next to the DH Williams Hall where they are building a fire station,” said Barnabas.
He said they will be signing petitions and engaging with GDoH and GDID with the full backup of community participation.
The committee will advocate for Natalspruit Academic Hospital with a fully equipped oncology department to ensure cancer patients get the best treatment and care. They also plan to submit a petition to the office of the Gauteng Premier.
