Ntirhisano restores hope in Hopefield
06 May 2016
Leaders of the Gauteng City Region – led by Gauteng Premier David Makhura and Johannesburg Executive Mayor Councillor Parks Tau – restored hope for the residents of the Hopefield informal settlement near Ennerdale in Region G during a Ntirhisano Community Outreach campaign yesterday.
A few weeks ago the residents took to the streets to protest against the lack of housing, electricity and sanitation in the area, where they say they have lived for the past 19 years.
They also refused to take part in the Independent Electoral Commission’s second and final voter registration drive.
The Ntirhisano Community Outreach programme is a platform used by the Gauteng Provincial Government to engage residents on service delivery and developmental issues.
During his State of the City Address in Turffontein on Wednesday May 4, Mayor Tau announced that the City would be “actively engaging” communities such as Hopefield, Zandspruit, Kapok and Slovoville to find long-term solutions to challenges in their settlements. Yesterday during a community meeting, Premier Makhura and Mayor Tau listened attentively as residents aired their views and accused authorities of neglect.
“It’s only through working together as government and residents that we can solve some of your pressing issues. Although you have a right to protest, you also have a responsibility to ensure your actions do not infringe on other people’s democratic rights,” said Mayor Tau.
Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements Paul Mashatile told residents they would be relocated to the nearby Kanana in Extension 6 in September 2016 because the land they were occupying was unsuitable for residential purposes.
“You will be allocated stands and title deeds will be issued but you can only move completely to the area in September after the upcoming municipal elections,” MEC Mashatile said.
Local and provincial government officials will return to Hopefield next week to bring work opportunities for the unemployed under the Jozi@work programme.