July 25, 2002
By Bongani Majola
"JOHANNESBURG is a living museum of South Africa's struggle for democracy," said Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Amos Masondo, in his weekly media briefing on Wednesday. Masondo made assurances that all systems had been put in place to make Johannesburg ready to host the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
From the bird's eye view of the city from the 16th floor of the Metropolitan Centre, Masondo discussed current operations, updates and logistics which, he said, would all be completed by the 31 July deadline. Masondo also gave a special welcome to representatives from Business Against Crime Surveillance Technology, operators of the city's closed circuit surveillance network.
"The Summit will provide us with many opportunities to make contributions to the ongoing critical debates and learn valuable lessons from these discussions. We will also use the momentum to intensify our local government programmes well beyond the Summit. This will include the legacy of the infrastructure development," said Masondo.
The Executive Mayor expressed confidence that Summit delegates would find Johannesburg, with its diverse peoples and culture, warm, friendly and welcoming. "The name Johannesburg will remain in the minds of world people for many decades as a place where humanity gathered and emerged with meaningful solutions to preserve our earth for future generations."
Commencing on 26 August, the Summit is expected to contribute about R1,3 billion to the national economy. Johannesburg alone stands to gain about R1 billion and the Summit should create an estimated 14 000 jobs. And the city's tourism industry will be boosted considerably.
To all the different countries' representatives who would be descending on Johannesburg in August - environmental activists, academics, protesters, representatives of NGOs, civil society, women, youth, farmers - Masondo gave these firm assurances: "You will experience the city's rich political and cultural heritage while you are here. Johannesburg is a living museum of South Africa's struggle for democracy. Tours of the struggle routes will be organised. An experience of township life, artistic Jo'burg, attending one of the shows of the city's largest annual festivals, the Arts Alive Festival, or just some quiet time at the Johannesburg Zoo or Gold Reef City is part of what Johannesburg has to offer."
Responding to allegations that the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) had threatened to disrupt the Summit, Masondo said that was "hot air, no substance. It's very normal when events of this kind take place that various organisations try to come up with negative statements to build their political profile." Masondo said he would expect a measure of maturity from the PAC.
According to City Manager Pascal Moloi, 45 000 people had by Wednesday either confirmed their attendance or made enquiries. Nonetheless, he said, the city is prepared to host 70 000 people. The Summit was expected to cost Johannesburg R110 million over two financial years, said Moloi.
The changes that would be most obvious to residents, said Moloi, would be improvements to major roads, repairs to traffic lights, cleaning up of parks and open spaces, renovations to certain derelict buildings and improvements to the bus services, city lighting and refuse removal.
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