June 27, 2003
By Thomas Thale
THE Greater Kliptown Development Project has taken off and is on track to be completed by 2005 - in time for the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Freedom Charter.
This was said by Mbhazima Shilowa, premier of Gauteng province, at a sod turning ceremony to mark the beginning of construction on the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication. The square is on the site where the Freedom Charter was adopted by the Congress of the People in 1955. Structures which will be constructed on the site, include the memorial to be known as Freedom Charter Monument, a museum, formal and informal trading areas and an open area for community gatherings. The design for the memorial has been referred to the South African Heritage Resources Agency for approval.
Government officials at the sod turning ceremony in Kliptown
Shilowa said the project would act as an economic lifeline to improve the lives of hundreds of poor people in the area. Some 6 900 mixed-type housing units are to be built in the area as part of the project. A further 1 400 units will be constructed under the social housing scheme.
The R436-million project, funded jointly by the Gauteng provincial government and the City of Johannesburg, will result in infrastructure upgrade and improve living and trading conditions in Kliptown. The development is intended to turn Kliptown into a heritage site and a premier tourist destination in the city, whilst improving the quality of life of the local community, turning the area into a thriving residential and commercial node.
Shilowa refuted claims that some people might be displaced by the project. "We are not in the business of removing people," Shilowa said, "our sole motivation is to improve the living conditions of the masses of our people."
Speaking at the same ceremony, Amos Masondo, the executive mayor of Johannesburg, said residents of Kliptown have for years lived in a hazardous area, with some houses built on the flood line. Masondo said the continuing migration of people to the city posed a "huge and daunting challenge to the council as services such as health care, water and refuse removal came under pressure. The mayor expressed confidence that "in a few years, Kliptown will be transformed into a monument of success and a fitting tribute to icons of the struggle against apartheid".
Graeme Reid, CEO of the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), took advantage of the occasion to give a detailed report on the progress made by the project to date. The JDA is the implementation agent of the project, working on behalf of the city and Blue IQ. Reid reported that:
- The upgrade of the K43, which provides a link between Kliptown and the Old Potchefstroom Road in Soweto, has been completed and the road opened
- The upgrading of the sewer system will be completed by May 2004.
- Major progress has been made with the rehabilitation of the Klipspruit river
- With regards to housing, the first phase of installing basic services has been completed. The construction of top structures will commence in September.
- An investigation has been initiated into the viability of relocating the train station
Reid said the project has had economic spin offs for the local community. According to Reid, more than 50% of contracts have gone to emerging, black-owned contractors. Many locals have also been employed in the project, some acquiring skills in the process, Reid said, describing the project as a "beacon symbolising light, hope and democracy".
Max Sisulu, son of Walter Sisulu, said his father would have been honoured to be present at the ceremony. "The Sisulu family thanks all South Africans who continue to recognize the contribution made by my father and his comrades towards the liberation of South Africa," Sisulu said.
Shilowa said many development projects would take off around the province this year. "There will be a lot of sod turning and cutting of ribbons this year."
