In an ongoing effort to involve residents in shaping development plans, the City of Johannesburg held a community-based planning meeting at Altrek Sports Complex in Region E, focusing on the needs and concerns of wards 108, 109, and 116 on Tuesday, 29 October 2024.
The session, part of a citywide initiative, aims to give communities a role in addressing urban issues that impact their lives.
Cllr Tefo Raphadu, who serves as the chairperson of the Section 79 Portfolio Committee for Economic Development and is a ward councillor of Ward 105 in Alexandra, chaired the meeting.
Attendees included key City representatives such as the Chair of Chairs, Cllr Adolf Marema; Council Secretary Andile Gobinca; Region E Director Makgafela Thaba and several Cityofficials. Their presence underscored the city’s commitment to participatory local governance.
During the meeting, residents voiced a range of issues impacting their wards. A primary concern was infrastructure, with multiple requests for road resurfacing across all three wards. Illegal electricity connections were another pressing issue raised, reflecting the broader challenges of managing urban utility access.
Residents of Ward 116 called for the establishment of a library to improve community access to educational resources. Ward 109 residents asked for fencing around the local cemetery, citing the need for respectful and secure space. In Ward 108, residents suggested converting the Marlboro ICT Hub into a skills development centre to equip the community with employment-ready skills.
Community member Jessica Kgaladi highlighted the need for maintenance on council-owned houses and flats, drawing attention to leaking roofs in her area. Iddah Kunene from Ward 116 expressed frustration over an incomplete stormwater project by the Joburg Road Agency, which she claimed was a longstanding issue affecting the area’s infrastructure.
Community-based planning represents an innovative and inclusive approach in the City of Johannesburg’s governance, merging city planning with community participation to address the unique needs of each ward. Through these meetings, the City engages with residents directly, allowing their voices to shape the city’s development agenda. The City of Johannesburg is conducting these meetings across all seven regions, aiming to create a more responsive and effective planning process that encourages collective urban solutions.
Councillor Raphadu concluded the meeting by acknowledging the importance of residents’ input, reaffirming the city’s commitment to addressing their needs and incorporating their ideas into future development strategies.
The City of Johannesburg continues its mission to make participatory planning an essential pillar of local governance, empowering communities to have an active role in shaping their urban environment.
Written by Nkosinathi Nkabinde
30/10/2024
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