2017 will be a big year for Joburgers, Mayor says
03 January 2017
2017 will be a big year for Joburgers, Mayor says
Johannesburg Executive Mayor Cllr Herman Mashaba was among more than 20 000 revellers who packed the Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown late on Saturday night to witness the countdown to the New Year during the 12th edition of the Johannesburg Carnival.
The iconic square was the venue of a star-studded concert featuring artists such as DJ AJ (Blindfold), Kid X, DJ Clock, Four, Encore, DJ Speedsta, Afrikan Roots, Arthur Mafokate, Ishmael, DJ Sbu, Khuli Chana, Donald, Durban Nyts, Chomee, Brickz, Cici and Kelly Khumalo.
King Monada, the S’ka Bora Moreki hitmaker, was one of the artists who left the crowd screaming for more.
The 2016 carnival, aimed at promoting unity and addressing crime in Hillbrow and the rest of the inner city, winged its way through the streets of Hillbrow, Braamfontein and Newtown before culminating in the New Year’s Eve Concert at the square.
Addressing concertgoers, Mayor Mashaba said better opportunities awaited the city’s people in the New Year.
“2017 will be a big year for the City of Johannesburg. The City will be more responsible in driving the economy of the country as a whole,” he said.
The Mayor said people took part in the carnival because they were excited to be part of the city. “As we celebrate the New Year, we still bear in mind that a big number of people are unemployed and many in the city have no access to electricity and water,” said Cllr Mashaba.
He said the City had to strive to create a better and a “world-class African city” in the New Year and ensure that all the standards of a “working city” were met. This would be achieved through better service delivery among disadvantaged communities.
“We would like to reassure our people that we are committed to looking after their interests and turning Johannesburg into a city that we will all be proud of.
“We also cannot let our people live in an environment where there is no safety. We have a constitutional responsibility as government to ensure that we provide that safety on a daily basis. And we are committed to eradicating all the crime and grime plaguing this city,” Mashaba said.
“We are hoping that things will get better in the New Year. And as we celebrate the beginning of 2017, we will be making sure that there are more prospects for our people. We will bring the private sector in in order to provide employment opportunities for our people, particularly the youth.”