The once world-famous Sparrow Village is at the centre of an escalating dispute, with its future hanging in the balance as plans to revive the former HIV and Aids hospice and children’s home face resistance from alleged illegal occupants.

The Roodepoort Record has previously reported on the apparent hijacking of the property, where crime, informal recycling and the burning of unrecyclable material have become ongoing concerns for neighbouring residents.

Despite the challenges, Sparrow Home of Hope chairperson Thoko Mtubu says the vision for Sparrow Village is far from over.

Mtubu, whose NPO is in the process of taking over the facility from the now-defunct Sparrow Ministries, said the organisation aims to restore the site as a hospice for cancer patients while continuing Reverend Doctor Corine McClintock’s legacy of caring for vulnerable children.

“The HIV and Aids pandemic may be over, but there remains important work to be done,” she said.

“If our bid to take over the facility is successful, Sparrow Home of Hope will establish a hospice for people with end-stage cancer, as we have identified a growing shortage of such facilities in South Africa.

• Also read: Former Sparrow Village under scrutiny as SPCA raises safety concerns

“We are also determined to keep Corine’s dream of a children’s home alive.”

Mtubu said that although the NPO is in the final stages of registration, significant groundwork has already been completed to enable it to assume control of the property. The site was originally donated to McClintock by the City of Johannesburg on condition that it be used as a hospice and children’s home during the height of the HIV and Aids pandemic.

“We are engaging with the relevant departments and are preparing to apply for municipal debt relief to address more than R50m in outstanding water and electricity charges,” she said.

According to Mtubu, more than 300 people currently live at Sparrow Village, but only 37 are legally entitled to be there.

“Thirty-two of those residents were placed here by the courts as children. They have never known another home. Some now have children of their own, with five minor children currently living on the property.”

Mtubu acknowledged the concerns raised by neighbouring residents and organisations but said the process of formally taking control of the property takes time.

“We understand the complaints from the surrounding community. Unfortunately, we have to follow the correct legal processes before we can formally take control of the facility. That cannot happen overnight.”

She added that the proposed takeover has been met with resistance from some current occupants, who have indicated they do not intend to leave the property.

“I will never let Corine’s dream die,” said Mtubu. “We have done extensive research, our business plan is sound, and we are determined to make Sparrow Village a place the community can once again be proud of.”

McClintock’s niece, Odette Odendaal, who is managing her affairs, confirmed that discussions with Sparrow Home of Hope are ongoing and that the family fully supports the organisation’s vision for the future of Sparrow Village.