1942 (Part 1)

The Dutch Reformed Church agrees to transfer ownership of Erf 216 [the location] to the Village Management Board on condition that it remains a location and the proposed new housing scheme be built for the coloured people. The Board will also have to pay a third of the outstanding debt to the Church Council.

It is from this point that the Village Management Board takes over the administration of Oukloof and starts engaging with the Housing Council about a new housing scheme to be built on the donated land.

The Board also introduces new water regulations for the coloured community. From interviews held with Ouklowers, when they first moved to the area they were allowed to collect water from a reservoir located on a field on the property adjacent to Oukloof [the old location]. This water was freely accessible and the rate was included in the annual tax payment. After the Board took over administration, the coloured community was prohibited from having access to this water source. A tank was installed and the coloured households were then required to buy coupons in order to receive water. The taps were only turned on for a certain period of time during the morning and evenings.

Racial tensions also start to flare up. White resident, Mr. Sadie, who lived close to Oukloof requested the Village Management Board not to give any more land around his property to the coloured people.

Reference:
Cape Town Records Centre: SGD 163 2/4/124
Cape Town Archives Repository: PAS 2/771 L59H/C/16 ()
NG Kerk Archives: GEM-K 2796
Surplus People’s Project Oukloof Land claim 1997