“Community Development Day, themed ‘Get to know Comm Dev’ will be in all city regions,” said Cllr Ronald Harris, the Member of the Mayoral Community Development in the City of Johannesburg at the weekend.
He was speaking during a Community Development Day at Ivory Regional Park on Saturday.
“As the multiparty local government, we are investing time and energy into getting the basics right, ‘A Golden Start’ to restore hope and dignity in the city. We are taking services to the people. Community ought to see and participate in the city programmes.”
Officials from the City’s Sport and Recreation; Arts, Culture and Heritage; Library and Information Services; Theatres, Parks and Zoo were there in their numbers to ensure that Comm Dev day was a success.
Region A Director Abigail Ndlovu led from the front. Community Development’s Executive Director, Vincent Campbell, the Managing Director of Johannesburg City Parks Zoo, Bryne Maduka; and Joburg Theatres CEO Xoliswa Nduneni Ngema were among City officials leading their various teams.
More than five hundred residents experienced and enjoyed activities at Ivory Regional Park.
The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra captivated the crowd with its evocative music.
Grade 6 pupil Koketso Maloka was among those who sat up and listened attentively to the orchestra. When asked about this focused interest, he said: “For the past three years, I have been playing violin at my school. One day I want to be part of the orchestra.”
Popular aerobic activities brought the physical aspect of fitness to the park, which boasts outdoor gym equipment. Drum majorettes come all the way from Newclare, arriving in style to the sounds of the drums.They displayed their famous synchronised baton-twirling moves and later performed the dance routines.
Activities included storytelling, drawings and a mini car exhibition from the James Hall Transport Museum.
When the mobile zoo van arrived, younger residents all flocked to the van to see animals.
The Joburg Theatre truck pumped the music and the pantsula dancers performed highly energetic dances and thrilled the audience.
“It is important for officials to be visible, show case services and support communities. This is part of what we call ‘boots on the ground’. I hope young ones will remember this day for a long time and dream big dreams.”
Park Rangers, Social Development, Health, Citizen Relationship and Urban Management and JMPD were on hand to support the Community Development Day programme.
Harris encouraged officials to “continue breaking halls between each other, each department and entity, to talk with each other and work together”.
I am happy I came with my children. They are playing at the gym and moving from one activity to the other,” said Moses Ngobeni, a resident who visited the park with his family.
30/05/2022