April 6, 2005
By Thomas Thale
JOBURG residents have been urged to let the City know how they think the council should spend the money that has been earmarked for capital expenditure in the 2005 / 06 financial year, which starts in July. Executive Mayor of Johannesburg Councillor Amos Masondo made the call on Wednesday, 6 April 2005.
Masondo was speaking at the launch of the public participation process in the City's proposed Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and budget. To get the public's input on the City's developmental priorities in the next financial year, councillors throughout the city will visit their constituencies and speak at various gatherings.
Groups that will be consulted by the City as part of the outreach programme include businesses, women's organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs) and organised labour. The issues discussed at these meetings will include the City's capital projects and its Spatial Development Framework, and proposed tariff increases.
Masondo emphasised that the City took public participation seriously and in the past had incorporated feedback from these meetings into its plans. "We expect more people to make their voices heard in the weeks ahead. From past experience, we have realised that lots of things have been taken on board. We do listen to the voices of the people. They do carry weight."
As an example he cited a stakeholders forum held at the Orlando Community Hall in 2004, at which one delegate raised a concern about the lack of sporting facilities in the neighbourhood. "Developing sporting facilities was not on our list at the time. But we took up the challenge. The only sporting field was in Rockville. But today, next to the Merafe Hostel, which is a site of the annual Godfrey Moloi Games, there is a field. Another one is in Senaoane, next to the swimming pool. Many multi-purpose centres are being built across the city, in places like Poortje in the south and Diepsloot in the north."
Masondo said the process was part of the City's quest to promote social and economic development, as well as good governance. It illustrated Johannesburg's commitment to ensuring transparency, accountability and sustainable service delivery.
Nandi Mayathula-Khoza, the speaker of council, said councillors would be informed and equipped to convene ward committees to discuss the draft IDP and the budget. Thereafter there would be combined regional meetings, followed by various fora covering business, women, NGOs, CBOs and labour.
The consultation process will culminate in the annual Joburg Stakeholders Forum, scheduled for Saturday, 7 May 2005. Mayathula-Khoza said she expected between 600 and 800 delegates representing various interest groups to attend the forum.
After the public participation, the mayor will deliver his budget speech on Wednesday, 25 May 2005.
Click here for the full programme of the City's Community Outreach Programme.
Regional and Stakeholders Meeting Schedules
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