Residents of Region G filled up Finetown Multipurpose Centre on Saturday, 23 April 2022, during the City of Johannesburg’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP).
Acting on behalf of the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Mpho Phalatse, Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Health and Social Development Cllr Ashley Sauls 1 outlined the City’s current challenges and more specifically budget plans to revive and restore facilities and services, with a focus on Region G.
Cllr Sauls 1 said low economic growth and the Covid-19 pandemic had increased unemployment at 40.8%. He said youth unemployment was higher at 54.4%, the poverty rate at 51.7%, hitting hard the 6.2 million residents of the City.
He also highlighted that Region G had the highest unemployment rate.
“The vision of the City is to create a vibrant and resilient City where local government delivers a quality life for every single resident. However, it is impossible for us to achieve this vision without our residents. The reason we are at this IDP session is to create a participatory environment where the residents along with the leadership can make efforts towards achieving our goal of bettering our Johannesburg,” he said.
Cllr Sauls 1 added that the Multi-Party Government aimed to direct its limited budget towards the most important priorities of the community, such as infrastructure investment, pursuing alternative clean sources, repairs and maintenance to deal with all the backlogs and improve access to basic services like water and electricity, waste management, sanitation, roads and transport.
“We are also looking at job creating, safety, security and bylaw enforcement, climate change and environmental protection, sustainable housing provision, as well as health and social development and better access to the City throughout the regions,” he said.
Once the floor was opened for public comments and inputs, anger and frustration broke out amongst residents before the Council’s Chair of Chairs Cllr Colleen Makhubele calmed down the residents and proceeded to give five residents per row an opportunity to state their comments in two minutes.
The most common comment was the request formalising informal settlements, access to water and sanitation infrastructure and power outages and illegal connections issues.
“I am representing the greater Lenasia area and we would like to request the Mayor’s office as well as Public Safety to help us. We are the hub of Region G, so we are in need of safety and security to be spruced up. We need more presence and visibility from JMPD officers so our residents can shop freely and safely,” said Jack, a resident from ward 9.
“We need better sports and recreational facilities but we need them to be guarded and protected against vandalism,” said Sheraaz from ward 9.
“My question is about upgrading the informal settlement in ward eight. Is there any plans to do so?” asked Themba from ward 8.
“We have listened to all your complaints in Region G. We have heard you. As the Multi-Party Government, we promise that we will bring service delivery to your region,” said Public Safety MMC David Tembe.
Written by Sascha-lee Joseph
23/04/2022