he City of Johannesburg kicked off the first Integrated Development Plan meeting at Danie van Zyl Recreation Centre in Claremont, Region B, with the Executive Mayor Cllr Mpho Phalatse leading from the front last night, 6 April 2022.
Flanked by all Members of the Mayoral Committee, the Speaker of Council Cllr Vasco da Gama and the Council’s Chair of Chairs Cllr Colleen Makhubele and ward councillors, Mayor Phalatse made a high-level presentation of the proposed budget, which is about R70 billion and expenditure of R69 billion.
The mayor also mentioned some problems areas in Region B and urged residents and other stakeholders to give the new Multi-Party Government a chance to help turn Joburg into a city of opportunities.
“This is the first IDP public participation meeting of the new Multi-Party Government. We are doing things differently. We are an inclusive government and want to hear from residents about the development of their communities,” Mayor Phalatse told about 250 residents who filled up the hall and 81 others who followed proceedings online.
She called on residents and other stakeholders to join the new Multi-Party Government in its pursuit of righting the wrongs of the past and ensuring the City regains its shine and becomes inclusive and caring towards the most vulnerable.
After a 15-minute interruption by some residents who refused to adhere to the meeting’s rules, calm was restored as Speaker Cllr Da Gama ran a tight ship, limiting people to two minute question time.
Most of the residents complained about the high levels of crime, unemployment, lack of housing, insufficient amenities and dirt in the region.
Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC), for Economic Development in the City of Johannesburg Cllr Nkuli Mbundu urged residents to embrace entrepreneurship and fully use the City’s Opportunity Centres, with one available at Danie van Zyl Recreation Centre.
“In the past the government used to provide jobs. We’re now sitting with a problem of having too many people employed by the government. The government’s responsibility is to create the right environment in which entrepreneurs can start businesses and employ people. That’s why the City is streamlining the business permit system and turning Joburg into a business-friendly city,” said Cllr Mbundu.
The MMC for Housing, Cllr Mlungisi Mabaso, promised to return for consultations with local leaders to resolve the housing impasse, which was driven from the Gauteng Provincial Government.
Cllr David Tembe, who is the MMC for Public Safety, told residents there are plans by the City to deploy technology to fight crime in the region and the City. “One way of reaching inaccessible areas is by using drones,” Cllr Tembe said.
He also urged residents to work with law enforcement agencies to bring crime levels down in the area.
Residents were urged to make inputs on the IDP and City’s budget by emailing suggestions to: idpinputs2022@joburg.org.za
07/04/2022