Orange Farm’s IDP Feedback Session demands answers

13 November 2017

 

Concerns about housing, roads and storm-water drainage once again dominated the Orange Farm’s Integrated Development Planning Feedback session; which was organised by the City of Johannesburg over the weekend.

 

The meeting came in the wake of the recent illegal land grabs in Region G, which comprises of Orange Farm, Fine-town, Ennerdale, Lenasia and Eldorado Park. The illegal land occupations are often characterised by violent clashes between residents, Red Ants and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department officers.

An overwhelming 99% of the people in Region G had sharply raised the issue of housing during the 2017/2018 IDP sessions early this year.

Residents of Orange Farm, Drieziek, Stretford and Lakeside, who attended the emotionally charged IDP meeting, at the Chris Hani Stadium on Saturday, 10 November 2017, demanded answers from politicians and officials concerning their issues. Thabile Buthelezi appealed to the MMC for Housing, Councillor Mzobanzi Ntuli, to fast-track the issue of housing.

“I came to Orange Farm when I was 12 years-old from KwaZulu-Natal to live with my parents. I’m now a grown-up woman with children of my own. I appeal to you MMC to provide housing in my community. It’s clear that we need housing, that’s why out of desperation we illegally take the land,” said Buthelezi.

Buthelezi and others said they were not in favour of the illegal occupation of land, as other people from outside the area were taking advantage of the situation. They appealed for the City to enforce by-laws.

Mandla Hlophe, a resident of Stretford, one of the oldest townships in Orange Farm, pressed for answers from officials regarding the developments in his area.

“People in Stretford area have been waiting for visible development for more than 20 years. The newer townships that came later have overtaken us in terms of developments. I want to find out when development is coming?” asked Hlophe.

Another resident from Stretford Extension 3 said residents had since 2007 handed-over a petition signed by residents to the City, asking for housing, roads and community halls. The Regional Director, Mickey Padiachee, assured residents that the City had put aside a significant budget to address the challenge of lack of housing, roads and storm-water.

Outlining the City’s plans and projects in Region G, Padiachee said the City was deliberately spending about 60% of its Capital Projects in poor areas.

“If you look closely at the presentation, you will realise that the City will be investing a lot in building new bulk infrastructure in the area,” said Padiachee.

The Department of Housing has budgeted about R30 million for the new bulk infrastructure that includes roads and storm-water system. The department will further spend about R20 million for the new housing bulk infrastructure in Drieziek extension 3; and another R20 million for the bulk infrastructure in Drieziek extension 5.

Vlakfontein extension 3 will receive its own share of bulk infrastructure totalling R20 million, both Kanana Park extension 1and Fine-town will each receive R15 million. The Johannesburg Roads Agency is spending about R24 million for the conversion of the open drains to underground water management system in Orange Farm phase 1. The project is 40% complete.

Stretford is receiving a brand new park that is currently being developed for R4 million.