Conserving Enock Sontonga Koppie In Soweto Joburg

By Author: James Moleko
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Its graceful magnificent koppie Soweto named after "Enock Sontonga" composer of a prayer song used during the days of apartheid.

Enock Sontonga Koppie known as gold in the heart of Soweto, confirmed by what Deklerk Government had called it 'Goud Koppies' characterized by spectacular ridges and ranges enlivened by it's unique ecosystem and diversity of indigenous species single handedly the most ornamented, imposing, geometrically outstanding great features more than many Koppies in Gauteng Province, with its majestic shoulders that appears to rise above University of Joburg, some called it name "Jewel in the heart of Soweto" an Oasis of serenity strategically placed between two Soweto lakes. In zone 6 Bester between UJ entrance it exhibits outstanding phenomenal huge Boulders as if one is about to enter pathways of heroic age.
In the 90s it was (characterised )by animals such as crested guinea fowls, bobcats, and rabbits constantly patrolled by black and white eagles, some of this species were hunted down until they are seen no more.It is placed strategically next to South Africa loved University UJ. ...
... The diversity of koppie species laden with scent of green bloosom showers and enriches University environment.

This Koppie has potential to attract tourist especially those who want to gorge at it's undeniable beauty in shades of green, trudge through sunlight that breaches and slants through its forest and tap on the forces of hidden world that conspired the
shaping of the grand koppie beyond the human mental pathways. The locals could also enjoy individual or group hiking on certain calendar dates and be enthralled and bathed by musty adour with refreshing herbal aromas, enveloped by rich immersive sensory flavour that our ancestors enjoyed listen to the wind that got whistling at pretty got clip enriched by sounds of birds songs in harmonious courtship. From it's height or crests of its peaks at night you can see spectacular lights in part of greater Soweto as night crystals sometimes objects moving as fireflies.

When the koppie is walled with good publicity it could attract hundreds of visitors in Joburg and around South Africa and beyond it's borders.
Some activities would include Mountain biking and annual running family picnics.

It' is presently made alive by prayers groups from all sorts of Churches, others coming as far as Carton-ville, Mohlakeng, Volsorus, who make it vibrant keep it alive on weekends. If koppie is preserved wall built around it, it will be like Green Golden Monument of Soweto enlivened and enshrined by University of Joburg. Sowetans who continue to use koppie for other purpose like annual running activities, hiking, prayer gatherings, but still many have been deterred by crime.
The koppie has to be walled preserved for future generations to learn and enjoy the diversity of its beauty through the
passing breeze that rubs tapering stems together and shards of sunlight reflected on longer hood meds.

It is alleged that some 1976 students on wanted list have used it as one of its hideout against police who used to raid their homes at night. The koppie rich history, remnant of past ages for years it has been faced with unending invasion of squatters. The communities around the koppie attached to University of Joburg, have fought this endless invasion for more than ten years but it seems as if some exhaustion from unending long route without a commitment from Government, may lose the battle for survival of great diverse Enock Sontonga Koppie characterized by hundreds of endemic species. A commander besieged fortress will proudly flaunt his flag to haul down which is a sign of defeat, or surrender, it must not happen with Enock Sontonga'. Every vessel that sinks releases masses of debris ranges from slightest material to heavy it's such as anchorers and debris. It must not happen with Enock Sontonga'.

breath and be enveloped by refreshing spring winds
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Students do research on its Indegenous plants, like other Universities students researchers used to come and do part of research. As winter comes, the koppie is also faced by threats from people of informal settlement who cut valuable trees used for energy purpose.

Power Park residents have dismantled just towards end of 2024, around 10 squatters plastics and shacks. But as the new year dawns, there is another squatters, who have cut valuable Indigenous trees to make a fence for their own yard. One wonders whether there is punishment for destruction of such valuables Indigenous trees. Secondly, why the Government does not provide constant black of green uniform police around the kopje. What community of Power Park and Zone 6 extension wants it a "Wall" to be build around it to preserve the kopje which may in future be used as center of tourism. you can see part of Greater Soweto, nights with beautiful lights that make it crystal as fire flies.

( If the Government don't intervene, The Multi-million dollar Soweto UJ Campus which has just extended students residence may in long run end up being abandoned, because when fully invaded, lectures and residing students may faced with endless smoke from chopped burned trees rising from koppie, noise from invaders. The truth is what separates Enock Sontonga from UJ Soweto Campus is a mere fence, so koppie would one of the fearful place come close to and many Soweto students may have to dig deep in their pockets, look elsewhere to advance their studies. James Moleko Community Convener between Bester and power Park residents