November 28, 2005
By Ndaba Dlamini
THE renewal of Alexandra township, in the north of Johannesburg, is on course and co-operation from residents and other stakeholders is essential to its success.
This was said by Executive Mayor Amos Masondo during a walkabout around the township on Wednesday, 23 November. He was accompanied by Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa, mayoral committee member for housing Councillor Strike Ralegoma and mayoral committee member for public safety Councillor Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane.
Some new houses were being built under the Alexandra Renewal Project (ARP). However, there was still a lot to be done, the mayor said. "We are calling on the community and interested organisations to form partnerships because the government cannot succeed alone."
Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa and Johannesburg mayor Amos Masondo inspect developments in Alexandra
Shilowa echoed his statements, saying there had been complaints about the lack of progress in Alex. The tour was an opportunity for the provincial government to get "a sense of what is happening in the township".
"There is a view out there that we are sitting on a R1,3-billion. To dispel this myth, when the Alexandra Renewal Project was initiated, it was estimated that the completion of the project would require R1,3-billion from the City of Johannesburg and Gauteng province.
"Some of the money has been [spent] and we hope as we proceed with the project to convince the national government to chip in with assistance."
In February 2001 President Thabo Mbeki announced that Alexandra was to be upgraded and improved, after three previous efforts to give the township a facelift were shelved. The estimated budget for the ARP was R1,3-billion, spread over seven years.
The ARP, managed by the Gauteng department of housing and the City of Johannesburg, aims to upgrade fundamentally "living conditions and human development potential within Alexandra".
An integrated development programme was designed to "deliver housing, roads, water, sanitation, schools, clinics, magistrates' offices and police stations".
Led by members of the ARP and Region 7 officials, Masondo and Shilowa visited the ambitious Pan African Junction taxi rank and retail centre, which is now being built.
The next stop was the first phase of the R80-million Alexandra Plaza, which was opened in October. It is the first of two shopping centres planned for the township.
From there, the visitors wound through Alexandra's narrow streets to Roosevelt Street, one of its busier roads. Newly constructed flats contrasted sharply with the crowded houses and shacks on either side of the street.
At Kwa Bhekilanga High School, a new eight-track athletics stadium is being built that will be used by the school and the community.
In Extension 7 a housing project is under way, where 1 400 houses are being built. Shilowa said the project would go a long way towards alleviating the housing shortage in the township.
"From the number of shacks that still exist in Alexandra, it will take some time for all the people to be accommodated in decent housing. We urge the community and landowners, however, to co-operate in order for the project to be a success."
After the tour, at an imbizo at the Alex Kopano Centre attended by the public, Masondo said if Alex's renewal was a success, the project would be "a valuable lesson to other cities".
He said the City would get more land to accommodate people, adding that the construction and widening of roads was going on in earnest. "The City managed to tar all roads in Soweto well ahead of schedule and we are planning to do the same for Alex."
People living in factories, warehouses and backyard shacks would be given alternative accommodation.
Shilowa echoed his sentiments, saying the housing waiting list would be revisited to stamp out favouritism and corruption. Those who lived in Alex in "improper" places, such as on school grounds, would be given priority.
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