We want Smart townships, residents tell IDP meeting

14 April 2016

 

It was standing room only at the Bramfischerville Multipurpose Centre in Soweto on Wednesday night when the City of Johannesburg’s Member of the Mayoral Committee for Transport, Councillor Christine Walters; Chairperson of the Economic Development Portfolio Committee Councillor Willie van der Schyff; Region C Director Mlamleli Belot and several councillors gathered to solicit community input to the draft 2016-2021 Integrated Development Plan (IDP).

 

MMC Walters told residents that, as required by law, the City had to report back to the community on capital projects that had been undertaken and completed to improve the lives of its citizens.

She said despite numerous challenges, the City had received an unqualified audit for the second year running, achieved a surplus of R3.9-billion, increased its capital spending by 38% – from R7.3-billion in 2013-2014 to R10.1-billion in the current year – and supported 4 681 SMMEs, more than four times the target it had set itself. These businesses generated transactions amounting to R3.26-billion.

MMC Walters said under Executive Mayor Councillor Parks Tau’s leadership, the City’s international profile had risen, with its successful hosting of the Africities Summit and Ecomobility World Festival and participation in the COP21 Climate Change Summit in Paris among the highlights.

Jozi@Work created almost 3 000 jobs. About 5 500 individuals benefited from the City’s Food Resilience Programme. She acknowledged that despite this progress, the City still faced challenges to improve service delivery.

“We can use the resources better,” she said, urging community members not to destroy facilities. “When you march don’t burn the clinics or libraries.”

During the meeting, residents raised a number of service-delivery concerns, including the lack of tarred roads, storm water drains, police station, clinic and recreational facilities. Zanele Khumalo complained that township residents, especially the youth, were not benefiting from the Smart City project.

“When are we going to get Smart townships? We also need safe communities. Young people go for drug rehab but come back to communities that have no amenities,” she said.

Punky Kekana said co-operatives needed more support so communities could start their own vegetable gardens.  Hector Louw and Maxwell Shongwane pleaded with the City for a clinic, ambulance and supermarket.

“We need accountability and to change how we do things. We have been here since 1998 but there is no library, no clinic or police station,” said Shongwane.
On allegations of corruption levelled against Ward 49 Cllr Mandla Mlangeni, MMC Walters cautioned against making claims without proof. She also promised to personally help community members with land claims.
She said she was working closely with the Gauteng Provincial Government to have land issues resolved.
“I’ve seconded my special adviser to Region C to deal with this specific issue. I’m prepared to come to the regional office to personally deal with these issues. But you have to apply,” she said.
She promised to brief the mayor on all the issues raised at the meeting and to report back to the community soon.