Following its review last year, the City of Johannesburg awaits this year’s Integrated Development Planning (IDP) to engage with its citizens in finding the best solutions to achieving enhanced developments.
The City uses IDPs as a participative mechanism to ensure that the residents engage in deciding on the projects or programmes they want to see in their space.
Acting Regional Director for Region D, which incorporates Soweto, Lali Mohlabane, asserts that they have been encouraging residents in Region D to take part in the forthcoming IDPs and to think properly around the issues they would want to engage the City on in relation to the program and projects they want to see in the next five years.
“The IDPs are very effective within my region because most of the residents often go back to what was previously promised to them over years to reflect and make follow ups on the current projects or programs,” says Mohlabane.
This year’s first IDP takes place on Saturday, 09 April 2022, at Dlamini Multipurpose Centre Hall. The second one will be held on 07 May 2022 at the Orlando Communal Hall.
“We appreciate these kind of meetings with the City as it allows us to voice out our concerns, demands and needs with the hope to improve and develop our region as residents of Soweto,” says one of the Jabulani resident, Grace Shabalala.
The City is looking forward to tackling most service delivery backlogs in Johannesburg and transform Joburg into a city of opportunities in which people are able to realise their potential and enjoy a quality standard of living.
Although there are some developments within Region D like the Jabulani Views that are conveniently located next to the main BRT route running through Soweto, the Jabulani Mall, and the newly refurbished amphitheater and the Safe Hub, there are issues that inconvenience the residents.
Some sticky issues include loadshedding, illegal connections, ageing of infrastructure, the capacity of infrastructure being stretched due to an increase in population in the area, vandalism of infrastructure and low pressure of water.
“We will provide water and electricity with the required efficiency and urgency. Roads will be tarred, rubbish will be collected and streets will be lit up. Residents’ hard-earned monies will be put to better use. My message to all residents is to be part of the solution as we look to rebuild our City. The past two years have been a challenging time for our City. The year 2022 presents us with an opportunity to turn things around,” says Executive Mayor, Cllr Mpho Phalatse.
The City has about nine hostels, and only three have been flagged for improvement. It includes Diepkloof hostel, which is currently having an electricity crisis. City Power has pledged to assist housing to ensure they install new electrical points and renovate some of the electrical equipment.
Dube hostel is being refurbished after it was vandalized. Meadowlands hostel faces a sewer challenge and the City hopes that other hostels will be included in the next coming budget.
According to Zola resident, Leleti Mbatha, Soweto is a disadvantaged neighborhood and she hopes it can be flagged as a priority to make sure that there’s a continuous improvement and investment.
“The Mayor has been engaging with Eskom to tackle issues related to electricity and there is a Joburg water infrastructure improvement of bigger pipes for water flow and sanitation. There is also a rehabilitation of roads from Mahalefele Road in Dube to hostels, Killer Road and potholes,” adds Mohlabane.
Written by Gontse ‘GeE’ Hlophe
6/04/2022