September 20, 2005
By Ndaba Dlamini
THE development of Ikwezi Station, a vibrant retail and transport node in Soweto, is nearing completion. Only "a few touches" are left to finish the project, according to Tuis Nkutha, councillor for Ward 45.
"We need about R2,5-million to complete the project. One extra bay needs to be added to the shelter for taxis; so far five bays have been completed but this is not adequate for the current number of taxis."
Nkutha, the ward councillor for Mofolo North, Meadowlands Zone 10 and Zondi, says R4-million has been spent on the first phase of the project. A pedestrian boulevard is being constructed, and ablution facilities and informal trader stands are being installed.
The old beerhall is also up for development
The first phase of the project, which started in January, is expected to be completed by March 2006. "Next month is Budget Lekgotla and all will depend on whether we have been allocated monies needed to complete the project by the stipulated time," Nkutha says.
Ikwezi Station is one of the busiest retail and transport nodes in Soweto and services the townships of Mofolo, Zondi and Dobsonville. The face of the station has changed drastically from a dilapidated area where a plethora of unco-ordinated informal businesses operated and taxis ranked willy-nilly.
The area north of the railway station has been turned into an attractive, investment friendly zone. Shopkeepers are renovating their shops to complement the developments at Ikwezi, in anticipation of brisk business.
A new ablution block for disabled people is also nearing completion.
"Before this development, there were a lot of untidy shelters accommodating fruit and vegetable vendors, braai stands and the taxis ranking in the area had no shelter," Nkutha says.
"There were no ablution facilities and police complained about the structures, saying they were a hindrance to crime prevention in the area. The area is now open and environmentally friendly."
A walkway with a canopy, painted bright blue, meanders from Mmila Road down to the train station, shading freshly painted trader stands from the blazing sun. Young trees, previously an alien feature in the area, give Ikwezi a pleasant appearance.
However, a few sooty tripe and skop braai stalls remain to the south of the developments, blemishing the façade. Nkutha explains that these vendors will be moved to new stalls.
"All the vendors operating in this area will be accommodated in the new stalls. They will also be trained in basic health and hygiene education by the City's environmental affairs department. In total we have erected 32 stalls, which is adequate to cater for all the vendors."
Intersite, the managers of the railway station, is part of the developments, Nkutha says. "The area along the railway line needs to be developed as well, as part of the project, and consultations with Intersite have been held. The station developments actually form part of the broader developments at Ikwezi."
The old beerhall and the open space behind it are open for private development, which will form part of the second phase of the project, Nkutha explains. The City is encouraging private investment and big retailers, such as Pick 'n Pay, have shown an interest in investing in the area.
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