Rivonia residents are raising concerns about the possible "exploitation" of the historic Liliesleaf farm.

The property in northern Joburg, where the Rivonia trialists - including Walter Sisulu and Govan Mbeki - were arrested in 1963, is to be turned into a 70-room hotel complex with conference facilities for 150 delegates.

The development is to be built through the Liliesleaf Legacy Project, which is run by the Liliesleaf Trust.

The trust, established in 2001, owns the original house and has acquired some of the surrounding buildings on the stand purchased by the South African Communist Party in the 1960s.

But now residents say the trust is not sticking to what was agreed at the start of the project. They say that the development, which will include a three-storey hotel, is too large and not suitable for the neighbourhood, with its large, well-gardened family homes.

"There are concerns over possible commercial exploitation of the site," said Sara Currie-Millar, secretary of the Rivonia Woods Neighbourhood Community.

She said that while residents wanted to see the important heritage site protected and promoted, they were concerned because "the commercial aspects of the proposed development have become the prime driver rather than the supporting role to the heritage site".

She said the residents and the trust had an understanding that only a small, two-storey boutique hotel with 50 rooms and conference facilities for 120 delegates would be built.

However, in August they were taken by surprise when the trust submitted an application to the Joburg council to increase the size of the development.

More than 50 residents have objected to the application, which is being reviewed by the council.

However, Nicholas Wolpe, chairman of the Liliesleaf Trust, said "residents are not happy with the hotel development, but generally they're not opposed to it. Maybe they think it's a monstrosity ... like the Sandton Hilton."

Wolpe said the hotel would have a historic atmosphere reminiscent of the original farmhouse.

This would be complemented by a museum with some of former President Nelson Mandela's papers on display.

Each of the rooms in the house told a story about the activities that took place there, said Wolpe. "They [the rooms] have a meaning and soul, and personify specific stories."

However, he said, historical sites did not make a profit and the commercial part of Liliesleaf was a means to sustain the development.

He said the trust hoped to start building in September next year, with start of operation in 2006.

Sunday Times