9 January 2004 Press Release City delegation tours informal settlements Accompanied by his advisory cabinet and some top city officials, Executive Mayor Councillor Amos Masondo will undertake a tour of two of the Council's established eleven administrative regions on Thursday, 15th January. Region one (1) and Region two (2) form parts of the former Midrand municipality. Region one consists of Fourways, Kya Sands, Diepsloot and Zevenfontein informal settlement, while Midrand, Halfway House, Rabie Ridge and Ivory Park constitute Region two. Public meetings, form part of the City's service delivery and reach-out initiative affording communities a platform to express their concerns and perceptions about the Council. For the financial year 2003-2004 Council committed an estimated R 48 million capital expenditure for improving facilities in the areas. Infrastructural projects covered aspects such as health, social services including libraries, sport and recreation and housing which saw some 4 729 title deeds being issued in Diepsloot. Some of the completed projects include: Kopanong Bakery: Now fully functional and eight (8) jobs were created for people who earn between R1000-00 and R1200-00 per month. They were able to pay their municipal accounts with their first salary and are no longer in arrears. The Thuthukani Food Garden Project: Valued at R128 000 and jointly funded by the New Zealand High Commission and Trees for Africa. The garden provides vegetables for HIV/AIDS patients and seedlings for other projects The Zamani Laundry Project: Started operating early in 2003. It is managed by four women in partnership with the department of social services Road shows are conducted city-wide annually and culminate in public meetings addressed by the Mayor and his team. They are intended to familiarise officials with developmental processes and projects taking place throughout the City's regions. The meetings also sensitize officials about the concerns and needs of the community they serve. ENDS For further details contact: Aletta Suping Communications Department: City of Johannesburg Tel: 407-7271 Fax: 403-3494 Cell:082 467 9229 E-mail: alettas@joburg.org.za or Pierre Nel Communication Officer City of Johannesburg: For Regions 1&2 Tel: (011) 203-3311 Fax: (011) 203-3500 E-mail: Pierre@joburg.org.za 082 467 9281