June 5, 2004
By Lucky Sindane
THE R500-million project to upgrade gravel roads in greater Johannesburg was officially launched by Johannesburg's executive mayor, Amos Masondo, at the Orlando Communal Hall in Soweto on Thursday 1 July.
The Johannesburg Roads Agency's project - the aim of which is to tar all gravel roads throughout the city - began in Soweto in 2002.
So far all roads in Orlando East, Pimville, Moroka, Dlamini, Chiawelo and Diepkloof have been fully tarred.
The official launch of the multi-million rand project to upgrade gravel roads in greater Soweto
"The cloud of dust which hung over this area causing lung-related illnesses will be significantly reduced," Masondo said during an inspection of the roads.
"The new stormwater-drainage system will also help prevent possible flooding during heavy rains and the kerbing edging to the pavements will encourage local residents to grass the pavements and limit silting and soil erosion."
Masondo stopped off at the completed roads and cut a ribbon to formally declare each section open.
Residents were pleased with the results; many were seen sweeping their pavements.
"We are very happy that our roads have been upgraded," said Nono Dlamini from Pimville, pointing to the clean streets.
"When it rained water used to come down from the streets into our yards and after the rain the streets used to look terrible," she added.
"We can see the mayor is doing something," Dlamini said.
In Senaoane, where pavements are being paved, road workers were still busy.
"The mayor is doing something for the city," said the roads agency's managing director, Mavela Dlamini. "He was recently challenged by an activist in Rockville to tar a certain street and the mayor promised to do it within two months - he did it in six weeks."
In Orlando East the mayor unveiled a plaque to commemorate the tarring of Soweto's gravel roads - to be completed by December 2005.
Christine Walters - the mayoral committee member responsible for community development, roads and parks - said the task was expected to be finished ahead of time because R50-million had came out of the municipal bond the City recently issued.
"This made us cut down on the time needed for completion," Walters said.
Masondo, in an address at the Orlando Communal Hall before the tour began, said: "In the past few months the mayoral committee has held numerous meetings in different regions in Johannesburg. During these meetings I gave an undertaking that before the end of December 2005 every street in Soweto will be tarred."
Masondo pointed out that work was taking place across the city - from Ivory Park to Diepsloot, Alexandra and Orange Farm.
"In these areas nearly 70 kilometres of new roads would be completed by the end of this financial year."
He added: "The main thrust of this programme has been the greater Soweto initiative, where 118 kilometres of roads have been built this year."
Molapo, Senaoane, Phiri, Mapetla, Jabavu, Mofolo, Dube, Orlando West and Meadowlands will be fully tarred by the end of July 2004. The remaining roads will be tarred between July 2004 and December 2005.
"There are also economic benefits that accrue from this work. In these communities, about 700 job opportunities were created. An estimated R5,5-million was spent on wages and more than 440 people received skills-development training," said Masondo.
"This programme will not stop in Soweto. Ongoing work is taking place in Orange Farm, Vlakfontein West, Alexandra, Diepsloot and Ivory Park," he added.
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