On 5 September 2018 a devastating fire took the lives of brave firefighters Simphiwe Moropane, Mduduzi Ndlovu and Khathutshelo Muedi and exposed the structural defects and substandard health & safety conditions of the Bank of Lisbon building in Pixley Ka Seme Street.
After months of demolition work the building now stands ready for implosion this Sunday 24 November at 9h00.
It is with some trepidation that I plan to evacuate my flat early that day and together with my neighbours watch this undoubtedly spectacular event from a safe distance.
For the past year the burnt out remains of the building have offered a strong visible warning of the tragic effects of unsafe buildings on human lives. May the sounds of the implosion resonate long in the ears of all those involved in building, renovating and maintaining spaces where people live, work and play.
