Life at Jacaranda Grounds: 12 Months After ‘Famous Tree’ Was Cut

Unknown people are said to have sneaked into the expansive grounds and cut down the landmark tree -- much to the chagrin of residents.

The incident happened at the height of demonstrations, popularly known as 'Maandamano'.

The tree – the only one on the ground – had for decades provided the much needed shade to tens of 'home-made' political debaters who daily congregated on the ground to discuss issues under the banner Bunge La Wananchi.

Some of the members of the famous Jacaranda Grounds Bunge La Wananchi have had occasional run-ins with the police, and have been 'guests of state' at some point.

“This was not just a tree, but our parliament grounds,” one of the residents of Kayole told Wananchi Reporting.

Jacaranda Grounds is sandwiched between the early parts of Kayole, Soweto – and the posh Savannah, Jacaranda, Sosian and Greenspan estates.

Although the tree is no more, residents of the surrounding estates still gather at the grounds to interrogate and debate important issues affecting the country – like devolution, the housing levy – and emerging political realignments. 

The group has a 'parliament' -- a Speaker and members -- most of whom have made headlines on the national news.

“I come here mostly on weekends to just listen to debates on various issues,” said one of the residents who only identified himself as William.

William understands all too well – and has even experienced what it is to live next to the famous grounds especially during elections.

He told Wananchi Reporting that many people still gather at the grounds – around the tree stamp.

“Sometimes it gets very hot especially in the early parts of the afternoon, which makes it impossible for people to gather here.

“That is why people only come here late in the evening, when the sun is almost setting and it’s relatively cool.

"It’s not easy standing in the sun for hours, sometimes in an empty stomach,” he says with a smile.

The ‘death’ of the famous tree has, however, not dampen other activities around the ground.

Football and Kabaddi teams (for both adults and children) come here to train -- all the time. Hawkers selling porridge, ice cream and sugarcane – and photographers troop here in huge numbers.

Others just come to the grounds to passtime -- often after spending a better part of the day hustling in industrial area.

Private car owners most of whom target hustlers who would love to drive a car for the first time in their lives, occupy a section of the ground. 

According to the residents, the cutting of the tree seems to have only temporarily affected the political side of events at the grounds; the Bunge La Wananchi, but they too are doing just fine, even without the shade.

Meanwhile, some of the residents are holding onto hope that the tree will one-day sprout back to life, and provide the much needed shade.