Bertrams, suburb of Johannesburg
Bertrams is a poor run-down suburb of Johannesburg located in Region 8, adjoining the Ellis Park Stadium. It is filled with dilapidated buildings housing the unemployed, squatters, the homeless, refugees and illegal immigrants; while street corners are teeming with bag-snatchers and drug dealers “On every street corner you can buy any drug you want.” The neighbourhood is no-go zone at night.
Bertrams is named after Robertson Fuller Bertram, a property developer who bought the area in 1889; the suburb is the oldest in Johannesburg.
Upgrade planned
The greater Ellis Park precinct has been identified by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) for a R2-billion upgrade ahead of the 2010 World Cup, which will impact upon Bertrams (as well as Doornfontein, Bezuidenhout Valley, Troyeville, Judith’s Paarl and Lorentzville). Abandoned office buildings will be converted into affordable accommodation, while Derby Road will be turned into a high street providing retail, commercial and entertainment venues and the Terrace Road Mansions will be converted into medium density low-cost housing.
Quotes about Bertrams
“Bertrams is set to change, in fact the inner city is about to change. The ordered chaos that we all know and love is under threat.” Ismail Farouk, an artist and social development consultant. |
"Rapid urbanisation and trans-national migration are both significant contributors to the ever increasing resident population who arrive in search of new economic opportunities. Yet, Bertrams seems to have little to offer global economies and has become a place of poverty. Bertrams has a history of displacement which dates back 80 years." Ismail Farouk, an artist and social development consultant. |
References
5 October 2006 |
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Ismail Farouk |
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