TALK IS CHEAP
By Carlo Kaminski
TALK IS CHEAP. ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS. While one gets used to seeing the old houses in the poorer areas of Johannesburg deteriorating at quite a fast rate, I cannot comprehend it when I see classic old stonework, in the more historically well-known areas of Jo’burg, being left to deteriorate without any attempt of restoration. At the very least, it would help if these loose pieces (mostly walls and pillars) were removed and securely stored until such time that proper restoration can take place. The fact that these walls, gates and bridges are not maintained in the first instance boggles the mind. How will the old stone pieces ever be replaced once they have gone? All of these photographs are recent images.
We spend much time (and rightly so) on Lost Johannesburg Facebook, in which we remember the places that have long since disappeared in Johannesburg. How can we now stand by and watch more historical sites being destroyed? I'm doing the best I can to photograph these as, and when, I see them in order to bring it to everyone's attention, but I need others to also step in and help do something about this. To those who continuously harp on about how Johannesburg is moving on to better things, I agree with all that, but it's also time to take your heads out of the sand and talk about the reality. I'm not trying to always show the negative. Good things are happening, but please also look at the things which need to be addressed urgently. If in doubt, read all the above again, and study the pictures.