Ward 106 councillor Chris Santana has raised concerns over what he describes as years of neglect at Norscot Manor, a declared heritage site that continues to serve as a vital community hub despite limited support from the City of Johannesburg.
Santana said the challenges date back to 2014, when residents were alerted to plans by the city to sell off strategic community centres.
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While officials later dismissed the claims, Santana maintains the threat was real, prompting residents to mobilise. “That’s when Friends of Norscot was formed by the community. The idea was to protect the centre and help with things the city simply wasn’t doing.”
Over time, however, the community organisation became inactive, forcing other groups to step in. Santana said Fourways Main Reef Rotary Club now plays a key role, hosting an annual Art of the Manor fundraiser, with half the proceeds going toward minor repairs, such as plumbing issues and burst pipes. Volunteers also work with service providers to keep the grounds presentable.
He added that much of the visible upkeep, including painting and basic maintenance, is being carried out by residents and civic groups like the Rotary Club. “It’s quite sad. This is a heritage site with wooden roofing and parquet flooring. It should be properly maintained with dedicated funding. Instead, the city does very little, while holding private property owners to strict safety and building standards.”
According to Santana, roof repairs were done last year, but only sporadically. He said wooden structures require maintenance at least every six months, yet work is often delayed for years, creating bigger problems down the line. The building is also overdue for a full repaint.
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Despite the challenges, Norscot Manor remains heavily used by the community, including its on-site restaurant. Santana said this has motivated locals to take matters into their own hands, to prevent the centre from deteriorating further. Plans are now underway for the Rotary Club to revive Friends of Norscot as a registered non-profit, enabling external fundraising to support ongoing maintenance.
“I’ll always support any initiative that uplifts the community and protects our assets, but let’s be clear, this does not remove the city’s responsibility. They need to plan properly, budget properly, and give residents the facilities they deserve.”
City spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane was contacted for comment. An update would be provided once received.
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