April 28, 2005
By Ndaba Dlamini
YEOVILLE residents have been urged to participate fully in the efforts to develop the cosmopolitan suburb into an attractive commercial and residential area.
Nomaswazi Mohlala, the councillor for Ward 67, made the call at an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and budget meeting at the Yeoville Community Centre on Tuesday, 26 April. A handful of people braved the chilly weather to table their views, contrasting sharply with the full house in the neighbouring Times Square pub.
The meeting was part of a public participation process in which councillors across the city visit their constituencies and speak to residents "to get the public's input on the City's developmental priorities" for the 2005/06 financial year. The meeting is also part of Johannesburg's campaign to ensure public participation in decision-making by local government.
Every year the City writes an IDP to guide its strategic planning. The IDP covers the plans and budgets of all its departments, utilities, agencies and corporate entities, and includes the policy framework on which annual budgets are based. The IDP is based on Johannesburg's long-term, 30-year plan, Joburg 2030, which seeks to boost investment in the city.
Mohlala said residents' input was vital to map out developments over the next financial year, pointing out that at the same consultative process for the proposed 2004/05 IDP and budget, Yeoville residents said they wanted a new community centre. "Your voice was heard and the City of Johannesburg put aside money for the project. The centre is taking shape right next to this hall."
The centre would include a garment factory, a kitchen, a bakery and a computer centre. "Many school leavers will have opportunities to learn computer skills at the centre, and we hope to get volunteers to teach various computer skills once the centre is finished."
Projects in the pipeline
Other projects in the pipeline included the demolition and relocation of the Berea Fire Station to "a yet-to-be-announced location". "An amount of R3,6-million has been proposed for the relocation of the fire station. However, relocation to another ward will be to our disadvantage because this is the only fire station we have."
Upgrading Yeoville's electricity system was also planned and R500 000 would be allocated to improve electricity capacity and outreach. The suburbs of Bellevue East and Forest Town, notorious for electricity black-outs, would also receive R500 000 each for upgrading their electricity systems.
"Plans are under way to overhaul the robot system around Yeoville and other suburbs in the ward and R1,1-million will be used to repair the Yeoville Market," Mohlala said. "For the long-awaited Rockey-Raleigh Street rejuvenation, R4,5-million has already been allocated. The money is going to be handed over on 1 July 2005 to the Johannesburg Development Agency, which will effect the project."
When it came to residents giving their input, Mohlala urged people to focus on priority issues that affected their lives directly. "The deadline for submission of comments to the City is 30 May. My first submission concerns the necessity of a shelter in Yeoville. When people are evicted from residences, they have nowhere to go and most spend nights sleeping on the streets."
A resident, Taolane Stephen Tsoka, said something should be done about public toilets in the area. "There are no adequate toilets, especially in our parks. This leads to people relieving themselves anywhere, causing environmental degradation."
One of the residents suggested that security guards should be deployed in existing toilets, saying most people chose to relieve themselves anywhere rather than in public toilets for fear of being robbed or raped.
Resident Ben Mabaso said development in Yeoville should focus on the "economic terrain", not only on the "social terrain". "Our area has potential for economic growth. People operating businesses along Rockey-Raleigh Street should be given assistance and the City should chip in financially to help small businesses grow. The arts and culture terrain should be looked into as well because of its value to the community."
Most residents agreed that dealing with crime was a priority. Mohlala said plans were under way to renovate Yeoville Police Station. "We are handicapped in Yeoville as far as policing is concerned. The existing police station is only a satellite police station, but plans are under way to renovate and enlarge it."
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