October 13, 2003
By Tshepiso Mogotsi
THE centre of Roodepoort, the business district on the western side of Johannesburg, has a somewhat neglected air, with decaying and empty buildings standing silently side-by-side.
But, this is all about to change. And much like the inner city developments taking place in the Johannesburg CBD, ambitious plans are being laid to upgrade the Roodepoort CBD.
First step in the process was the formation, about 20 months ago, of the Roodepoort Development Forum, headed up by Joe Mophuting, committee member for ward 84.
A former public relations officer for the local taxi association, Mophuting is excited by the possibilities of redeveloping the Roodepoort CBD. "It is time to return Roodepoort to its former status as a vibrant place in which to do business."
Although the CBD is the current focus of the RDF, "we will later stretch out to all four corners of Roodepoort", Mophuting said.
At present there are a number of institutions based in the Roodepoort CBD, such as the Tulip High School and the Oakwood College, but the retail and office components are of a neighbourhood scale serving the residents and surrounding communities.
The largest task so far, according to Mophuting, is to settle street traders into designated market areas. "Many shop owners were worried that traders on the pavements would make their shops invisible to would-be-buyers," Mophuting said.
One site identified for a local market is next to the Roodepoort railway station. About 30 stalls will be established in an area to the north of the station, currently operated by taxis. "It is a better trading zone for street traders as they will be able to generate more income because of the area's proximity to the railway station. The existing shelters will also be refurbished."
Another market area for informal traders will be set up at Station Square in Adolphus Street. Here a further 18 stalls will be built. "We've already informed the traders and they see it as a new lease on life. They understand they will be required to pay a certain rental fee at the markets," said Mophuting.
The forum has already held several clean-up operations, with the next one being planned for Wednesday 15 October in the CBD. "We will start at 9am," he said.
As with the influx of businesses to Sandton from the centre of Johannesburg, the Roodepoort CBD experienced a similar loss of tenants with the development of the Westgate Shopping Centre 18 years ago. The forum plans to reverse this, encouraging companies to return to the CBD.
To achieve this, several issues have to be addressed: refurbishing dilapidated buildings in the inner city; helping businesses to market their products; reducing traffic congestion through creating designated taxi ranks; establishing specific trading areas for street traders; and cleaning up the CBD. In a recent newsletter the RDF said: "It is not what the government can do for us, but what we can do for our once lovely city of Roodepoort."
"One of our aims is to convince owners to refurbish their dilapidated buildings. Many have shown interest and have already started putting on overalls," Mophuting said.
The RDF is a non-profit organisation, which aims to reverse the urban decay in the CBD and return it to its former glory as a vibrant business centre. Other members of the RDF board include: executive director Pastor Norman Pule; administration director Angela Siane; financial director Mahomed Dockrat; marketing director Lilian Bergsteedt; communications director Eileen Diamond; and development and planning director Glenn Usher.
The work of the RDF has the support of the city council. "We welcome the creation of the RDF and region 5 will continue to offer its mutual cooperation," said regional director of region 5, Calie Coetzee.
The forum depends on donations from residents, business owners and other interested parties.
Within the Roodepoort region are the Witwatersrand botanical gardens, many attractive residential areas in the rolling hills, and shopping centres such as Westgate. People in the neighbouring areas, including Meadowlands and Dobsonville, are able to travel to the CBD with ease as it has both train and taxi routes.
Other developments being planned for the Roodepoort area included the establishment of new taxi rank and a housing project.
The taxi rank on the northern side of the railway station will make way for a new market
Two major taxi associations, the Roodepoort Long Distance Association and the Dobsonville, Roodepoort, Leratong, Johannesburg Taxi Association have agreed to relocate their rank in order to improve access to the CBD, Mophuting said. The taxis will be moving few meters from the current location and Mophuting said the forum is looking at the private sector, including commuter rail for funds to establish both rank and markets.
A housing development by Motheo Group will be under construction on a six-hectare piece of land behind the Shoprite store in Van Wyk Street. The double-storey houses will be available at "affordable rates.
Much of the forum's work involves consulting with other organisations within Roodepoort. "As we speak we are engaged in talks with some major crowd businesses to encourage them to return. Negotiations are going very smoothly and I believe it's a matter of time before they come back where they belong."
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