Johannesburg’s multi-party government is determined to build a liveable, resilient and sustainable City to transform and improve the daily lived experience of its residents.
The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Mpho Phalatse, told residents at Region A’s IDP meeting at Midrand Fire Station on Wednesday, 04 May 2022.
She was accompanied by the Speaker of Council, Cllr Vasco da Gama, Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Finance Cllr Julie Suddaby, MMC for Economic Development Cllr Nkuli Mbundu, MMC for Development Planning Cllr Belinda Echeozonjoku, MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services Cllr Leah Knott, MMC for Housing Cllr Mlungisi Mabaso, MMC for Transport Cllr Funzela Ngobeni, MMC for Health and Social Development Cllr Ashley Sauls 1, MMC for Community Development Cllr Ronald Harris, MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services Cllr Michael Sun and MMC for Public Safety Cllr David Tembe as well the Regional Director, Abigail Ndlovu.
Region A residents came in their numbers to engage the City’s leadership and some joined the meeting virtually. The wearing of masks, social distancing and sanitising of hands were observed at the venue to adhere to all Covid-19 containment requirements, particularly those relating to gatherings.
Cllr Vasco da Gama, who was also the programme director, encouraged residents to engage robustly in the discussions. “This meeting is for the community to engage with us as your caring city. We are here to listen to you,” he said.
Mayor Phalatse focused on the multi-party government’s approach to getting the basics right in the golden start that the city promised to its residents.
“As part of getting the basics right, we have re-launched BuyaMthetho to enforce by-laws and ensuring that residents and businesses are correctly billed, grass is cut in open spaces, roads are surfaced, potholes are patched, street lights and traffic lights are working, regular refuse removal and revenue is collected. Our efforts are focused on ensuring that residents get the services they deserve and improve the quality of life,” said Mayor Phalatse.
She acknowledged the unreliable electricity supply and revealed that the City will host an energy indaba from 24 to 26 May 2022, with all relevant stakeholders, including private sector to discuss, debate and seek solutions to enable adequate energy generation in the City of Johannesburg.
“Infrastructure development and formalisation of informal settlements in the City is in the top of our agenda as the multi-party government to ensure that we upgrade the ageing infrastructure and reduce the housing backlog, giving residents serviced stands for those that can afford to build for themselves,” she said.
One of the residents, Nkosohlanga from ward 77, said they have a problem with stalls that were left unattended and no one is using them, they are now home to nyaope boys as well as criminal activities are taking place in the area.
He requested that the Kusasa Bridge and the storm water stream from Mikateka to Ext 13 be closed because it is causing air pollution. He said the stream is also turning into an illegal dumping site. Nkosohlanga said uncontrolled land invasions and building within the wetlands will result in increased flooding in places like Ivory Park.
MMC Tembe reassured residents that the City will not allow lawlessness. He said the increasing land grabs in the City will not be tolerated and called on law enforcement agencies to act tougher against perpetrators.
Charlie Jacobs of Rabie Ridge said he was concerned about the lack of job opportunities for the youth and suggested that the city invest more in economic development and create more opportunities for the youth to be able to do things for themselves.
MMC Mbundu said the city is creating an enabling environment for the youth to be entrepreneurs. “There are opportunity centres that the youth need to make use of to find opportunities. In addition now we have approved informal trader’s policy, which will regulate and benefit entrepreneurs in the city of Johannesburg.”
Regional director Abigail Ndlovu bragged about the work that has been done and the fact that Region A is the most-performing region in the City. However, she did admit that there are still challenges and the City needed to do more to improve the lives and livelihoods of the community.
Written by Luyanda Lunika
05/05/2022