May 25, 2004
By Lebofsa Masha
PROPOSALS for Johannesburg's 2004-2005 budget were discussed at a meeting in
Orlando on Saturday 22 May - part of a campaign to ensure public
participation in local-government decision-making.
The executive mayor, Amos Masondo, and members of the mayoral committee
addressed the audience while the 2010 Soccer World Cup logo was beamed from
two large screens on either side of the stage.
Nandi Mayathula-Khoza, the programme director and council speaker, opened
the meeting. "Everything the City does, it does in consultation with the
people," she said.
The City's proposed budget and the Integrated Development Plan was up for
discussion, Mayathula-Khoza said.
"We have come here to give feedback on what the City does and what the
people think about the budget."
The mayor and his team have had their work cut out for them by Fifa's
decision to let South Africa host the 2010 Soccer World Cup. This was not
forgotten; Masondo even kicked off his presentation on the theme.
"Exactly one week ago, all of us saw Sepp Blatter, president of Fifa, pull a
piece of paper from a white envelope and announce that South Africa would
host the Soccer World Cup," Masondo said - to cheers and ululations from the
audience.
The mayor said he was convinced the citizens of Johannesburg would rise to
the challenge of hosting the biggest and most unforgettable international
sporting event held on the African continent.
Masondo, turning to council matters, outlined the priorities and plans for
the 2004-2005 financial year. One was effective financial management - of
billing, revenue and credit control. This would tackle shortcomings
identified by the auditor-general.
Other aims were:
to provide regional parks, based on the success of Thokoza Park in
Soweto;
to formalise housing in all informal settlements in the next three
years;
to achieve economic growth through training and economic-development
programmes;
to rejuvenate the inner city through partnerships with the provincial
government, businesses and civil society; and
to tackle the prevention and management of HIV/Aids.
One issue stood out: that of public safety and by-law enforcement.
"The next 12 months will see the training of an additional 240 metropolitan
police to ensure higher visibility and sustained enforcement," said Masondo.
And he added that, during its 2010 bid, Morocco had said crime was a reason
why South Africa could not host a successful competition.
"The promulgation of 12 sets of new uniform by-laws, as well as the
operation of the municipal court later this year, will reinforce these
efforts," he said.
The City's proposed capital budget, about R1,896-billion, will largely be
used for priority projects identified by the council - including public
lighting, traffic signals, the upgrading of roads in Soweto, the development
of new parks and the renewal of taxi ranks in Alexandra and at Chris Hani
Baragwanath Hospital.
The mayor also announced that on 20 May the mayoral committee had decided to
increase the proposed capital budget by another R110-million, which would be
the "R110-million ward capital allocation".
"Each ward in the city will be able to access an equitable share of the
R110-million for local projects," Masondo said.
Ward councillors and committees - with the help of the regional directors -
would decide how to choose projects. A project list would be drawn up at a
workshop convened by the regional directors and ward councillors by 25 June.
After the mayor's presentation, about 40 people from the floor asked
questions or made suggestions.
Youngsters asked the mayor for skills development, sports and entertainment
facilities, and accredited training institutions. Tshepho Philane urged the
mayor to set up a special youth imbizo.
Others in the audience asked for the upgrading of clinics and hospitals.
Bennet Malepe from Orange Farm called for electrification, the building of
public halls and youth clinics, and the provision of more ambulances.
Solomon Thabethe from Region 6 said: "Zola clinic should be upgraded into a
hospital and more sporting facilities should be made available."
Prema Naidoo, the mayoral committee member for health, said two new district
hospitals in Soweto - Meadowlands and Mzimhlophe - would be open 24 hours a
day. He also said the department now offered free voluntary HIV/Aids
counselling at every clinic.
Crime also featured on the agenda of many. Yvonne Mhlauly from Thandubundu
Passion For Humanity Project in Hillbrow said CCTV cameras were needed. She
also called for more old-age homes and schools.
The mayoral committee member responsible for housing, Strike Ralegoma, said
the council had made a move to formalise shack settlements. "And 50% of the
people in Soweto should be able to get their title deeds," he added.
Parks Tau - the mayoral committee member responsible for finance, strategy
and economic development - tackled water and electricity arrears. He said
the City would continue to provide the poor with 200 litres of free water
every day.
"We have noted that some people are already benefiting from this programme.
And those in arrears should not wait for the sheriff; they should come
forward to explain that they can't pay."
Masondo said the council would do what it could to tackle the issues raised.
"But the needs are expensive. It will not be possible to do everything in
one day," he said.
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