​With the forever fluctuating fuel prices, Soweto residents’ demand for the extension of Rea Vaya bus services and new routes is urgent than ever before to save on transport costs.

The situation is exacerbated by high unemployment especially among young people. This is what emerged during the virtual Integrated Development Plan (IDP) consultation meeting for Region D on Thursday, 8 April 2021.

This comes as studies show that many households living in the periphery spend more money on public transport.

The City is holding IDPs across the seven regions, which are employing virtual, physical or hybrid approaches. This is due to the current Covid-19 restrictions which has put limitation on the number of people allowed to gather.

Officially opening the first consultation meeting, for communities to have inputs in the IDP, Budget and Tariffs, the Speaker of Council in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Nonceba Molwele, encouraged the participants to have robust discussions.

Responding to the residents’ comments, the Acting Executive Mayor in the City of Johannesburg and the MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services, Cllr Loyiso Masuku, said the Government of Local Unity (GLU) in the City is seriously looking into the youth development with the planned youth structure in the pipeline.

“The GLU has realised the cry of the youth in the City. As a result the City has approved the youth directorate structure, which will be looking specifically into the youth issues. Joburg is a youthful City, which makes sense for young people to be part of developments,” said Cllr Masuku.

Cllr Masuku challenged the youth to raise their hands and partner with the City in the developmental projects and programmes.

The Ubusha Foundation called on the City to host the youth conference. The Foundation said the youth is absent from many developments and many positions of influence.

Cllr Masuku announced that the City is in fact planning a Youth Summit which is scheduled for May and called on all the young people to be part of it.

The MMC for Finance in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Jolidee Matongo, said in the current financial year the City has set aside about R50 million for youth development across all the City’s departments.

Xolani Mkhaliphi from Elias Motsoaledi asked what the City’s plan is to fast-track the building of RDP houses in his area.

The Regional Director for Region D, Salome Mogotsi, said the City was running against the clock to complete many projects ahead of the end of the financial year. She said the City is on the ground fast-tracking major projects like the Lufhereng Mixed Housing Development, the construction of RDP housing in Elias Motsoaledi which is schedule to start in April, upgrading and installing of storm water infrastructure among others.

Mogotsi said the City has set a target to issue over 400 title deeds by June.