A heritage walk took place in the Constantia suburb on Wednesday to honor families who were forcibly removed from the area during the 1960s and 1970s. The event was organized by the Jaftha family, who have been growing flowers in the Constantia Valley since the 1800s and now operate Jaftha’s Flower Farm. Although the Jafthas were among those displaced under apartheid, they were able to lease land from the municipality in 1985 with the assistance of a white business owner and have run their flower farm on the site ever since.
The walk, led by Charles Jaftha, began at the farm and passed several notable landmarks. Participants stopped at Peddlars restaurant, formerly a farm stall where Charles’s father had worked, and continued past Keysers River. The route concluded along Strawberry Lane, the very street from which many families were forcibly removed.
Among the walkers was Claire‑Anne Lester, whose father’s family was forced to leave Strawberry Lane when he was five years old. Lester stressed the importance of remembering and sharing these stories so they are not lost to history. She also observed that a new generation is showing interest in the past and is concerned about the lingering effects of apartheid, such as the housing crisis and persistent inequality.
Charles Jaftha described the pre‑removal community as close‑knit, with many families working as flower growers and living near one another. To preserve this history, the Jaftha family plans to establish a heritage museum on their farm. Fundraising efforts for the museum are currently underway.
The heritage walk and the planned museum serve as reminders of apartheid’s profound impact on South African communities and underscore the need to preserve their histories. By honoring the families who were forcibly removed, the Jaftha family and other participants hope to promote greater understanding and awareness of this period in South African history.
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