Crossing The Line | Alicia English: From dormitory township to community

Mitchells Plain, a township that turns 50 this year, celebrated its birthday with the help of Dr Alicia English, a founding member of the Mitchells Plain Legacy project. English, who grew up in Rocklands, now resides in Portlands and is involved in several organizations in the area. In an interview on the Crossing the Line podcast, she reflected on the legacy project and shared her experiences growing up in Mitchells Plain.

English fondly reminisced about the strong sense of community in Mitchells Plain, which made her feel like part of a family. Despite the social challenges, she attributed her resilience to the values her parents instilled in her – respect for oneself and others. The area was historically significant, with events like the launch of the United Democratic Front in 1983 taking place in the Rocklands Civic Centre.

The Mitchells Plain Legacy project, of which English is the board president, aims to celebrate the township's rich history and contributions to society while promoting unity and social cohesion. She emphasized that the organization is not a supreme leader but encourages community-led initiatives. The project was born out of discussions with long-time Mitchells Plain residents, such as Norman Jantjies, and has been conducting monthly stakeholder engagements to ensure community involvement.

English believes that the township's legacy includes not just its historical contributions but also the diverse individuals who have emerged from Mitchells Plain, including sports stars, musicians, artists, academics, and journalists. As the township celebrates its 50th birthday, the Legacy project seeks to highlight the resilience and brilliance of its people, while also addressing the divisions that have emerged over the years.