The executive mayor drinking from a newly erected fountain at Moroka Dam
	SUMMIT

JOHANNESBURG plays host to the biggest-ever conference on this continent, the World Summit on Sustainable Development, from 26 August to 4 September. Some 65 000 delegates, including most of the world's heads of state, will descend on the city for one frenetic week. What is the summit all about, and what will it mean to city residents? Read more

Parks Tau, the councillor responsible for development planning and environment addressing the media during the official launch of the Moroka Dam

The plague unveiled by the mayor to mark the completion of the Moroka Dam project

The people of Moroka get their dam back August 22, 2002 By Thomas Thale MOROKA DAM and the surrounding park have been restored to their pristine beauty. Just 16 weeks ago, the dam was silted and full of reeds. Today it boasts open, almost clear water, running into the Klip River catchment and then into the Vaal River. What made the upgrade project unique was the involvement of the community in the process of designing the new structure. Locals have established a group called "Friends of the Park" to "instil a sense of community ownership". The surrounding Thokoza Park has also been cleared and today has the newest playgrounds, netball courts, lighting, seats, a soccer field, picnic spots, lawn and even mosaics in town. The sounds of children at play and the chirping of birds can once again be heard in the park - signs of normality returning to the area. Alien vegetation has been removed from the site and indigenous trees planted along the dam parameter. Some of the trees were planted by the mayors of various African cities who visited the area in June. The R19-million, fast-track project was completed in a record 16 weeks. "We have set a precedent," remarked Graham Young, the project architect. Speaking at a ceremony to mark the completion of the project and to hand the park over to the city, Amos Masondo, the executive mayor, described the dam as "one of the flagship projects that is geared to showcase best environmental practice in the City of Johannesburg in the period leading up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development". "Through projects such as the Moroka Dam, the City of Johannesburg aims to provide safe recreational amenities to surrounding communities and in turn improve the sustainability and bio-diversity of the area," Masondo said. Parks Tau, councillor responsible for development planning and environment, said "upgrading this open space system will enhance the biodiversity of the area by, for instance, attracting bird life". The revamp has served as a major catalyst for the regeneration of the local community. "We now have our own waterfront! We can now hold picnics and weddings right in our neighbourhood. The people are impressed!" exclaimed Mandla Ndumo, the local ward councillor. A playground climbing aeroplane for the amusement of local children RELATED ARTICLES: More about Moroka dam and its history Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400