City officials urged to roll out more recreational facilities

07 April 2017

 

Residents of the City of Johannesburg’s Region G have vented their anger and frustrations at the municipality for allegedly failing to keep its promises and meeting their expectations.

 

Their concerns – expressed during a review of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) at the Zakariyya Park Community Hall on Thursday April 6 – ranged from the lack of service delivery, high crime rate and rising unemployment rate among the youth to the lack of recreational facilities, free Wi-Fi and electricity.

The meeting was one of more than 20 currently being rolled out throughout the City’s seven regions to give residents the opportunity to make an input to the IDP document ahead of the delivery of the 2017-2018 Budget by Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance Cllr Rabelani Dagada in May.

The IDP is a multi-year plan that contains the City’s strategies and implementation plans required to achieve its vision. The public participation process will culminate in a stakeholder summit on Tuesday April 25.

Thursday’s meeting was attended by Member of the Mayoral Committee for Housing Cllr Muzi Ntuli, Chairman of Chairs Cllr Alex Christians, Ward 122 Councillor Makwatsa “Ace” Mokoenyane and Regional Director Mickey Padiachee.

Padiachee said the region was faced with challenges such as crime; under-utilisation of land; unemployment, especially among the youth; the lack of tarred roads; and illegal land invasion. “As a region we must pull together to make it a great region, which will lead to a great Joburg,” Padiachee said.

Godfrey Letlabi of Lehae said youth unemployment, the shortage of schools and the lack of recreational facilities were some of the challenges the City needed to effectively deal with.

Nokuzola Bhaca of Zakariyya Park called for the introduction of free Wi-Fi in the region to make it easier for students to have easy access to the internet. She also suggested that the City build a wall along the N1 freeway to prevent criminals from targeting residents. She also called for the City to introduce learnership programmes for students.

Tshepo Mabizela asked the City to prioritise education and economic development for the youth and small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in Vlakfontein.

Mlungisi Mazibuko, who represented SMMEs, asked for the development of small business incubation hub in the area. He asked the City to form partnerships with the private sector to develop the region.

Vusi Zwane of Vlakfontein said there was no clinic and police station in the area, while Ndabezitha Ntombela complained about the delay in the issuing of title deeds and the lack of indoor sports in Lehae and surrounding areas.