GOOD Statement by Matthew Cook,
GOOD National Chairperson and City of Johannesburg Councillor
31 July 2025
Today, the Johannesburg Council approved the initiation of a public participation process on the possible lease or disposal of the Killarney Country Club, a motion the GOOD Party fully supports.
The site in question spans over 111 hectares of prime public land in one of Johannesburg’s wealthiest suburbs. Until recently, this vast and valuable property was leased for a mere R2 per year. Even after adjustments, the rent remains under R2,000 a year, less than the cost of renting a backroom in Soweto for a single month.
This is not just a question of rent. It’s a question of justice.
GOOD has consistently championed the principle that public land must be used for public good. That means prioritising land for housing, education, recreation, and community development, not for elite leisure clubs with a history of exclusivity.
As this process moves forward, we urge residents and civil society to participate meaningfully. The City must treat public input not as a box-ticking exercise, but as a genuine opportunity to reimagine how land can serve the broader public interest.
Why shouldn’t we explore options like mixed-income housing, student accommodation, affordable rentals, or inclusive sporting facilities? Why default to another long-term lease for the benefit of a few?
This is a rare chance to begin correcting the spatial injustices inherited from apartheid planning, where privilege and poverty remain divided by concrete walls and geography.
GOOD will continue to advocate for outcomes that reflect the values of inclusion, redress, and accountability.
Let’s make public land work for all.
Media Enquiries:media@forgood.org.za