Some of OCR's Achievements
- Organising, educating & empowering tenants, the homeless & residents.
- Proactive involvement against drugs and crime.
- Founding member and co-ordinator of various anti-crime and redevelopment forums.
- Successful representations at rent board.
- Arbitration between landlord and tenants.
- On going discussions at central, provincial and local governments
- Networking with civics and other relevant groups regionally, nationally and internationally.
- A major stakeholder on new legislation for landlords & tenants.
- Various High Court actions resulting in the reintroduction of rent boards nationally in 1986, reintroduction of rent control in Warwick Avenue in 1993, reinstatement of displaced tenants, reconnection of water & electricity supplies, prevention of racist evictions.
At National Government level
- 1984 - 1989: OCR was in the forefront for the abolition of the Group Areas Act
- 1995 - 1999: OCR was instrumental in bringing about and contributed to the Rental Housing Act 50 of 1999. Served on the national task team to advise the Minister of Housing
- 1995 - 1999: Brought about changes in the composition of rent boards
Publications on the OCR
- Maharaj, B. & Mpungose, J. (1994). The Erosion of Residential Segregation in South Africa: The “Greying” of Albert Park in Durban. Durban, South Africa.
- Maharaj, B. (1993). Civic Organisations in the Apartheid Inner City: A Case Study of the Durban Central Residents Association. Durban, South Africa.
- Maharaj, B. (1999). The Integrated Community Apartheid Could Not Destroy: The Warwick Avenue Triangle In Durban. Durban, South Africa.
Research Conducted
- Durban’s homeless community Survey
- Crime survey results - Albert Park
- Evictions, Displacement and Shelter needs
- Rental housing & socio-economic survey of Marloth Gardens
- Report on the rental survey and profile of buildings in Albert Park
- Assessment of the socio-economic conditions at Sydenham Heights
- The Four Townships Survey
- Crime survey results: Inner City CBD - “West Street Precinct”
- Carlisle Street Shelter