Soweto’s IDP Feedback session told of massive construction underway

08 November 2017

 

Major housing developments, massive road and storm-water construction, bridges and a new clinic are some of the City of Joburg’s projects currently underway in Region D, Soweto.

 

The City outlined its multi-million rand budget for the various projects across Soweto, to more than 300 residents who packed the Diepkloof hall on Tuesday evening. Residents of Diepkloof and surrounding areas came in their droves to participate in the City of Joburg’s Integrated Development Planning (IDP) Feedback session.

The session offered the City a chance to report back on issues raised by residents at the IDP session held in April. These issues included housing, storm water drains, hostel maintenance, youth empowerment and street names.

In his presentation, Regional Director in the area, Patrick Lephunya, announced that many projects were taking shape in Soweto. More than R15 million has been budgeted for the Lufhereng Integrated Housing Development with construction already taking placing. An additional R35 million has been set aside for the construction of a bridge and access road for Ward 24. A state of the art multi-purpose centre is being constructed for the Klipspruit community to the tune of R38 million; while the Kliptown Taxi Rank is undergoing a massive R7.2 million upgrade and is almost complete with 95% progress. 

But one resident raised a concern about the storm-water problems in Soweto, which often lead to homes being flooded during rainy season. Lephunya responded by saying the City is investing a lot in building and upgrading the storm-water. He said about R15 million was allocated for the building of the storm-water drainage in Protea Glen and the following wards, 13,35, 38 and 42. The phase one of the project has been completed already and phase two has just started.

Residents also raised other issues such as the high cost of pre-paid water and electricity, asking for a flat rate from the City, the removal of illegal dumping, potholes, inaccessible community halls and poorly maintained parks.

Lephunya assured residents that the City was working furiously to address these issues and pointed to other projects happening within the region as examples of progress.
Residents of Noordgesig will be excited to know that, they will be getting a brand new clinic, with the construction of the project already at 85% to completion. About R16 million has been budgeted for the clinic.

The Noordgesig Library is getting a complete make-over, with about R25 million budgeted for the project. Lephunya described the Jabulani precinct as the new beacon of integrated development not only in Soweto, but in the entire Johannesburg. “Right now as I speak to you, there are many developments happening in Soweto. Jabulani precinct is proving to be one of the fastest developing areas in Soweto and in Joburg,” said Lephunya.

In the Jabulani precinct, phase two of the construction of the Jabulani Transit Oriented Development is about 95% complete with phase three of the project set to kick-start soon. The first phase of the project has been successfully completed. About R9 million has been budgeted for the project. The City’s work in this precinct is supported by other private developments taking place such as the Jabulani Flats and the Jabulani Crossing Mall. Although the budget has not yet been allocated, the historic Jabulani Amphitheatre is also earmarked for the upgrade.

Lephunya said Soweto was the largest region in Joburg, with an estimated population of over 1.1 million people. This means Soweto accounts for about 43% of the entire Joburg population. He said this scenario presented both complex challenges and opportunities.