Internal Newsletter
In the Loop Issue No.
14 April 2015
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New City Hall to burn bright in Joburg’s future
Contents
Arts, Sports & Culture
Soweto’s theatre of dreams and drama 1
Message from the Executive Mayor
12
City geared up for vaccination season
2
Development of a true ‘City Hall’ will symbolise the rise of an inclusive Johannesburg
13
Community Development Achievers in the spotlight
14
City opens doors for People with Disabilities through Training and Skills Programme
3
IDP – a catalyst for the “final push”
4
SOCA to set the agenda for the City’s ‘final push’
15
JEDIS – looking for Jozi’s own Mark Zuckerbergs
5
City Ombudsman sets up office
16
The City relaunches EAP to address intrinsic productivity issues
6
Big changes for Sandton transport under way 12-hour countdown to a green park
17
7
Productivity Programme to increase effectiveness and efficiency
8
Jozi@Work brings major changes to Pikitup’s activities
18
City set to benefit from Gauteng provincial initiatives
19
Fun holiday programme at the Zoo
20
Entertainment from the top drawer
21
Soweto’s theatre of dreams and drama
9
City ready to swing along at Rand Show 2015
10
Let’s enjoy our freedom and build a united city
11
Caring City honours the elderly Fun galore at City libraries over Easter
F
or drama, social commentary and the best in local gospel, the Soweto Theatre is the place to be this April. Kick-starting the month’s line-up is My Desire (In his Presence) with Desiree, James Okon, Valencia and the Gospel Ensemble on April 4. For two shows only on 12 April, In Concert with Bheki and Nqobile will take the audience on an auditory and visual journey of praise, celebrating hit songs from their debut gospel album released late last year. Supporting performers include Ayanda, Omega, Zaza and Mahalia. Performances are at 16:00 and 19:00. The highly-acclaimed and award-winning play DET Boys High will be staged at the theatre from April 13-16. A collaboration between Joburg Theatres and Sibikwa Arts Centre, DET Boys High is a result of research conducted in the 1990s and explores the substandard education at the time. The play is a raw and uncompromising look at corrupt teachers and the disillusionment of learners. For ticket information log onto: www.sowetotheatre.com
Acknowledgements
Cover Credits
Chief Editor Makhudu Sefara - MakhuduS@joburg.org.za
Johannesburg announced plans for a revitalised Metro Precinct which include a new Council Chambers and a 24-hour mixed-used precinct with residential apartments and retail shops.
Editor: Thomas Thale - thomasth@joburg.org.za Contributor: Luyanda Lunika - luyandal@joburg.org.za Photography: Enoch Lehung - enochl@joburg.org.za
This artist’s impression of the new Metro Centre depicts the striking roof of the new Council Chambers with a beacon of light to symbolise Johannesburg’s journey to become an inclusive City.
Fun galore at City libraries over Easter
C ity of Johannesburg’s libraries will be hives of activity over the Easter school holidays, with a range of fun-filled and interactive activities planned to keep children busy and away from mischief.
The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development, Councillor Chris Vondo says City libraries are ready to keep learners engaged and entertained during the school break.
These include arts and crafts lessons, mini soccer matches, treasure hunts, indigenous games, educational talks, environmental and conservation displays.The Johannesburg Zoo’s mobile unit will visit several libraries to teach children about animals.
“Reading can be fun. Visiting libraries also keeps learners out of trouble.”
Rand Water’s Water-Wise team will make presentations at several libraries on the importance of water conservation.
The City – in its commitment to ensure the promotion of literacy, educational support, youth empowerment and equal access to information and opportunities – manages 187 libraries and a number of mobile satellite facilities in remote areas across its seven regions.
The City’s Emergency Management Services will facilitate story times to teach children about home safety.
Through its Library and Information Services Department, the City aims to cultivate and nurture a culture of reading and learning in all communities, with children identified as a key target audience. In the Loop
The City’s libraries have lined up a series of exciting activities and programmes for children to enjoy over the school holidays.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) will focus on how children could help take care of pets. Other highlights include themed activities, egg hunts and story-telling. www.sowetotheatre.com In the Loopn – 21
Arts, Sports & Culture
The line-up includes an eclectic mix of legendary and budding artists such as Johnny Clegg, Steve Kekana, Kurt Darren, Jesse Clegg, Mi Casa, PJ Powers, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse.
Message from the Executive Mayor that the gains we have made since the introduction of democratic local governance are not only entrenched, but will also serve as the guiding posts for future administrations.
Ideal to watch for the whole family, Sangoma Mukuru and the Dinosaurs takes audiences on a fun-filled musical trip to prehistoric times. This is a wonderful interactive and educational show featuring realistic, life-size puppetry costumes and animatronic dinosaurs. To be staged from April 3 to April 17, this music and dance show is a must-see.
At the core of this are the commitments we made in the 2040 Growth and Development strategy to create a world-class African city of the future, strengthened through its diversity with the ability to sustain all its citizens.
The Joburg Ballet presents Swan Lake: The Ultimate Classic from April 17 to May 3. This is a beautiful story of love triumphing over the forces of evil with African-American ballet star, Brooklyn Mack and Cuban prima ballerina, Viengsay Valdes, in the major roles. Nothing but the Truth by veteran playwright and actor John Kani, to be staged at the theatre from April 20-25, is a complex local story that has been described by international entertainment critics as a subtle, yet in-depth look, at family, sibling rivalry, truth, justice and forgiveness. The show is part of the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People’s “Take a Child to the Theatre Today” campaign. It features questionand-answer sessions after each performance to assist learners to understand the nuances in essay and contextual questions.
Entertainment from the top drawer
Joburg Theatre is buzzing this April. With a dazzling line-up ranging from children’s musicals to ultimate classics, the theatre guarantees entertainment from the top drawer. Running at the theatre until April 27 is The Jungle Book Kids, an all-time children’s classic. This Disney adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s masterpiece sees bright and vibrant jungle sets brought to life with vivid animal costumes and song.
For more information on the shows and ticket sales log on to www.joburgtheatre.com
Councillor Mpho Parks Tau Johannesburg Executive Mayor
Colleagues, In the coming days we are setting in motion a process that will, to a large degree, determine the impact and quality of the final year of the current administration. Looking back on Johannesburg’s achievements since the local government elections of 2011 all of us – leadership, executive and city employees – have ample reasons for satisfaction. We have now started the ‘final push’ – a decisive period in the development of our City to ensure
As we go out into the City during April for our “community conversations” on the content of the 2015/16 Budget and the Integrated Development Plan we should use these opportunities to listen to the concerns and aspirations of residents – but also remind them of the road we have travelled and the progress we have made. This will be followed by our Stakeholder Summit at the end of April, the delivery of the State of the City Address and the tabling of the Budget. This edition of In the Loop reflects some of these varied achievements. Viewed in isolation they might appear to be minor or insignificant – a programme to bring people with disabilities into the mainstream of the City’s activities; a vaccination campaign to protect the lives and health of our young children; a master plan to transform the transport environment in the northern
suburbs; new opportunities for cooperatives to participate in the Jozi@Work programme and supplement the incomes of their families… However, when viewed collectively, this edition, indeed, serves as a mirror of the range of activities taking place within our City and as a measurement to determine their impact on the quality of life and the dignity of our citizens. Our achievements should also inspire the employees of Johannesburg to redouble their commitment to service and perform their allocated tasks within the City with dedication and a sense of responsibility. I am confident that the coming IDP process will not only demonstrate that Johannesburg is on track with its implementation of a shared vision and the transformation of our society but that it will also provide us with the momentum to achieve the ‘final push’ over the next 12 months.
Mpho Parks Tau Executive Mayor
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Also, don’t miss the Twenty-One Songs for TwentyOne Years of Democracy show with Victor Masondo and Friends. The production, which runs until April 21, is one of a series of concerts presented by the theatre in celebration of South Africa’s 21 years of democracy. It will feature songs that have made their mark on the South African music scene over the past two decades.
20 – In the Loop
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In the Loop –
1
Arts, Sports, Culture
Good Governance
number of elected representatives and the need to support the democratic processes with modern technology, says Helen Botes, the CEO of the Johannesburg Property Company. The symbolism used in the design and construction of the new Chambers will reflect Johannesburg’s position as an African city using the drum as the primary motive. At the start of each sitting of Council an African drumbeat will echo throughout the City and the seven regions. Public access to Council’s proceedings will increase exponentially with the number of seats in the public gallery growing from the current 15 to 209. Citizens will also be able to follow proceedings by way of specially erected screens outside the Chamber and through viewing areas at all regional centres.
Development of a true ‘City Hall’ will symbolise the rise of an inclusive Johannesburg J
ohannesburg’s Metro Centre and Council Chambers will be revitalised in a comprehensive project to improve access to city services for residents and establish a distinctive landmark that truly represents the City’s new, inclusive future.
Green-building principles will be used in the construction of the building, incorporating natural light and heating. The roof of the new Chamber will become a beacon that burns bright at night and grow into a new landmark and attraction in Johannesburg. •
“We are creating an inviting and accessible space that will be an ideal advertisement for the world-class African City that has emerged since the transition to democracy,” says the Executive Mayor, Councillor Mpho Parks Tau. It will also create more synergies among the City’s departments and municipal-owned entities and reduce the cost of doing business with Johannesburg. “We are creating a true ‘City Hall’ where the citizens of the City will have access to ‘one-stop services’ in a single, vibrant space,” says Mayor Tau. The multi-year redevelopment programme will create at least 100 000 temporary jobs and be implemented in three stages: •
A state-of-the-art Council Chamber will create modern facilities for elected councillors, officials and members of the public who attend meetings. The current Chamber has not kept pace with the expansion of democracy, the growth in the
2– In the Loop
The Metro Centre Precinct will be turned into a 24-hour mixed-use campus that will not only provide office space for all the City’s departments and entities but also include residential apartments, retail shops and a ‘People’s Square.’ “The revitalised Centre will change the way people interact with the City and also have a beneficial impact on growth in the surrounding precinct of Braamfontein,” says Botes. It will be a ‘cool place’ for residents and young people to visit because they can combine their interaction with the City and its services with visits to coffee shops and retail stores.
•
The seven regional offices will be redeveloped to create safer and more accessible spaces for residents and improve the quality of interaction with the City. Some of the current regional facilities have reached the end of their lifespan and it will make better economic sense to redevelop them than to embark on expensive, short-term modifications, says Botes.
Fun holiday programme at the Zoo
School holidays need not be dull and boring. To ensure that learners get the most out of the Easter school holidays, the Johannesburg Zoo has drawn up a fun-filled and exciting holiday programme for children of all ages. Top on the list is a two-hour ferry tour of the Zoo for children under the age of seven on 7 April. The guided tour – from 10 till noon – will give the children, who should be accompanied by adults, the opportunity to explore and learn about animals of all shapes and sizes. The cost is R75 per individual. For older children – between seven and 13 – there are wild outdoor adventures to explore from April 7-10 and again between April 20 and 24. Activities include animal feeding, enrichment, crafts and games. Visitors are urged to bring along their own lunch. Budding environmentalists and zoo keepers can also join the Zoo’s Junior Volunteer Programme, an initiative aimed at enriching their understanding and knowledge of animal husbandry.
Called the Honey Badger Club, this environmental and education programme is for children between the ages of seven and 14. Club members will have the once-in-a-lifetime privilege to go behind the scenes into areas where only keepers go – up close with the animals. Covering 55 hectares of pristine land across the road from Zoo Lake, the Joburg Zoo houses more than 2 000 animals of about 320 species from around the world. This animal kingdom is open throughout the year, including Christmas, New Year’s Day and the Easter holidays. Booking for the holiday activities is essential. Contact Lebo Moalusi on (011) 646-2000 extension 216 or email lebo.moalusi@jhbzoo.org.za for bookings and information on the Joburg Zoo’s exciting programmes and activities. For information on the Honey Badger Club, email Jane Maema at jane.maema@jhbzoo.org.za or fax (011) 486-0244. In the Loopn – 19
Good Governance Financial Sustainability
Resource Resilience
City set to benefit from Gauteng provincial initiatives ohannesburg will be the centrepiece of a modernised JGauteng City Region playing an anchor role as the hub
of finance, the services and communications sectors and the pharmaceutical industry. Delivering his 2015 State of the Province Address, the Premier of Gauteng, David Makhura, presented a “strategic roadmap” for the transformation, modernisation and industrialisation of Gauteng over the next 15 years. The objective is to make Gauteng “the leading economy on the African continent” and build sustainable industries, socially cohesive communities and an active citizenry. This has some important implications for Johannesburg as the core of Gauteng’s Central Development Corridor: • Industrial Growth: Joburg is the financial capital and hub of the services industry. The City and province will work together with the private sector to attract companies involved in the high-tech and pharmaceutical industries. • Inner-city More than R10-billion in public and private funds will be invested over the next five years for the regeneration of the Johannesburg central business district. Much of this will be directed towards the better building programme and the greening of open spaces. • New Investment Johannesburg will become the home of the BRICS regional development bank and this will attract even more corporate investors and financial institutions into the City.
IDP – a catalyst for the “final push” The first phase of this construction will start before the middle of 2015. The impact of this development will have a ripple effect on the growth of township enterprises in Soweto and Lenasia. • Housing: Rietfontein is being developed as a mixed-use node with more than 8 000 residential units supported by commercial property, retail space and schools. This is a R20-billion project with the potential to create 17 000 jobs during the construction phase and beyond. • Transport: The expansion of the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit system “will reshape the political economy of space” in one of Africa’s largest cities. The City has invested more than R2-billion in this project. • Support for business growth: In the 2015/15 financial year the province will allocate more than R300-million for the support of township enterprises and cooperatives. New township hubs will be established in Ennerdale, the industrial park of Orlando will be revitalised and agri-parks will be created on the periphery of urban settlements to provide opportunities for farming. • Entrepreneurship: In Diepsloot about 160 township entrepreneurs involved in light manufacturing will benefit from a R1.6-billion investment in the Riversands/Diepsloot incubation hub. This will be part of the Riversands Commercial Park that will provide training, enterprise support and industrial space to emerging businesses.
• Township revitalisation: Kliptown and Alexandra will receive priority attention and 140 000 housing units will be built in Lion Park, Diepsloot East, Fleurhof, Cosmo City, Malibongwe City and Goudrand.
• Green technology: Gauteng is working with the University of Johannesburg and the private sector to build a solar plant that will supply 500 megawatts of solar energy into the electricity network and create more than 15 000 direct and indirect jobs.
• Job creation: The growth of Masingita City as an integrated commercial and industrial hub will create 15 500 jobs during construction and some 10 000 during its full operation.
• Healthcare: Electronic patient records have been introduced at the Zola-Jabulani hospital which will lead to a reduction in queues and greater efficiency in service delivery.
18 – In the Loop
T he City of Johannesburg is making “a final push” in the implementation of its priority programmes during the last 12 months of the current administration.
City Manager, Trevor Fowler, says the intentions are to accelerate implementation, consolidate the gains that were made and ensure strategic continuity into the next term of office following the 2016 local government elections. “We have transformed our strategic vision for the City into delivery and implementation during the past four years,” says Fowler. The City’s finances have been stabilised, service delivery was expanded, the Jozi@Work programme was launched and the Corridors of Freedom are in progress. “We are now ready to make the final push.” In the coming days the city-wide process of consultation on the content of the 2015/16 Budget and Integrated Development Plan will take place in all wards. A series of regional cluster meetings – or “community conversations” -- are scheduled between 11 and 23 April at which residents can give their inputs into the draft IDP. The 130 wards of the City are clustered together according to geographic proximity and overlapping attributes and developmental needs. Included in the document are the City’s proposals on tariffs for essential services – including water, electricity, refuse removal -- as well as the draft property rates and taxes for the 2015/16 financial year. Residents are called on to comment on the proposed tariffs. Tariff policy is determined by the affordability of services, the competitiveness of the City and returns on investments made on infrastructure used to deliver services. The final tariffs
will be announced in the 2015/16 Budget. The IDP is a multi-year strategic plan that describes the City’s strategic vision as well as the strategies and implementation plans required to achieve the vision. The IDP process will culminate in a Stakeholder Summit on 25 April where the submissions and proposals from the various cluster meetings will be communicated, discussed and, where applicable, incorporated into the final IDP document. Fowler says the inclusive nature of the IDP process “demonstrates the City’s ability to go back to the basics and reconnect with its citizenry.” One of the biggest areas of success has been in service delivery where a ‘customer-centric’ approach was introduced. This is about providing basic services, ensuring that they are well-maintained, introducing customer service standards and backing it up with effective by-law enforcement. The Corridors of Freedom and the Jozi@Work programme can be seen as “game changers” and confirmed Johannesburg’s position as the most innovative and progressive local government in South Africa. Flagship programmes in the Green and Blue Economies will not only ensure the environmental sustainability of the City but also create new opportunities for creative entrepreneurs that will eventually lead to job creation and citizen participation in the economy. “We call on residents and stakeholders to actively participate in the IDP process to enable Johannesburg to make the ‘final push’ over the next few months,” says Fowler.
In the Loop –
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Employee News
Good Governance
more effectively and achieving better results with existing resources.” Marais says the intention is also to invite comments and practical suggestions from employees on how productivity can be increased within their specific work environments. These proposals will be evaluated and, where practical, incorporated into the City’s Productivity Programme. It is important to get buy-in for the Programme from all employees. They should view productivity as a tool through which they can grow in their own careers and improve the quality of their service.
SOCA to set the agenda for the City’s ‘final push’ Johannesburg’s agenda for the next 12 months will be outlined in great detail by Executive Mayor, Mpho Parks Tau, when he delivers his State of the City Address on 6 May. Because of Johannesburg’s status as the economic and financial ‘capital’ of southern Africa, the announcements made during the SOCA are always followed closely by the media and analysts. This year will be no exception and it will take on added significance as the current administration’s term of office draws to a close and the country gears up for next year’s local government elections. This year’s speech will set the tone for the City “final push” to accelerate the implementation of programmes designed to achieve socio-economic transformation in Johannesburg. Mayor Tau is the most experienced leader currently serving in Local Government in South Africa. He was appointed to the Mayoral Committee in 2000 at the age of only 30 and succeeded former mayor, Amos Masondo as Executive Mayor in 2011. This will be the fourth SOCA delivered by Mayor Tau. Each of the previous speeches contained major announcements concerning the strategic direction to be followed in the subsequent years. •
2012 was the first SOCA following the adoption of the Growth and Development Strategy (GDS 2014). While building on the legacy of the previous adminis tration, the speech also set out a long-term vision
4 – In the Loop
for Johannesburg with clearly defined outcomes and objectives.
Productivity Programme to increase effectiveness and efficiency
“We are committing to a promising future. We are building a City that is resilient, sustainable and liveable,” said MayorTau
T he City has embarked on a dedicated programme to improve productivity by 10% each year over the next
•
“We are bringing home the message that productivity is the responsibility of every employee in the city – from senior management to those who have just recently started their careers,” says the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Corporate and Shared Services, Councillor Mally Mokoena.
The 2013 SOCA was dominated by Mayor Tau’s announcement of the Corridors of Freedom and the far-reaching plans to transform Johannesburg’s spatial planning and to “re-stitch the City” into an accessible and inclusive city for all.
“We will never stop searching for the possibilities of freedom in this city; it runs deep in our veins as Joburgers. We are continually striving to guard our most precious right of all - the right to change this city, and in so doing, shape our own future in a just and equitable city that inspires us to reach for our heart’s desire,.” •
At the Orlando Communal Hall in 2014 the Executive Mayor unveiled details about the “Jozi@Work” programme and the initiatives for the City to partner with communities in addressing socio-economic challenges.
“We are a city at work to remake itself and shape its future, as a ‘sustainable, liveable and resilient city’– a city that ‘cares’ for its people and their future,” said Mayor Tau.
three years. This will soon be introduced across the City.
The Programme has various objectives over the short-, medium- and long term. Initially it will capitalise on quick wins, then build productivity capacity and, over the long term entrench a culture of productivity across the City.
Improvements in productivity will bring a number of long term benefits to the City. It will: •
lower the rate of absenteeism from the work place;
•
improve organisational effectiveness;
•
create a productivity mind set and culture;
•
improve performance of departments and entities;
•
enable employees to work smarter;
•
develop the ability to do more work with less resources; and
•
lead to higher levels of customer satisfaction.
“We want every person working for the City to think about their tasks, the impact of their actions on the citizens of Johannesburg and how it improves the quality of service delivery,” says MMC Mokoena.
Christo Marais, the Director Organisational Development says the City has conducted initial productivity assessments at five “pilot sites”: namely Revenue, Customer Relations and Urban Management, Pikitup, Emergency Management Services and the JMPD. The Programme will focus on these “pilot sites” as well as 25 other organisational units and some cross-cutting areas. To achieve this goal, the City will train 900 city managers and employees in the principles of productivity and they will then, in turn, spread the message to their colleagues in the work environment. “Higher productivity requires changes in the mind-sets of people,” says MMC Mokoena. “It is not about ‘working harder; it is about using your time
In the Loop – 17
Good Governance
Employee News
City Ombudsman sets up office J
ohannesburg’s first Office of the Ombudsman will open its doors to the public in July 2015. Advocate Siduduzo Michael Felix Gumede, a legal practitioner with more than two decades of experience will occupy this position that will serve the interest of the public in their interaction with the City.
The City relaunches EAP to address intrinsic productivity issues. T he City of Johannesburg is to relaunch its Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to address deep-seated
problems experienced by employees that impact on productivity and workplace effectiveness. The purpose of the relaunch is to promote awareness and inform the broader CoJ employees and internal EAP stakeholders about services rendered by the unit. Philip Lebelo, the City’s Director of Employee Relations and Development, and his EAP team are more than ready to deliver an improved service to the employees of the City and the organisation. Lebelo says the relaunch of the programme, which will take place on April 24, comes after the City had identified a number of gaps within its structure following an intensive assessment process. Employees experience a wide range of personal, emotional and behavioural problems that cut across all occupational levels such as substance abuse, finance, stress, absenteeism and relationships. These problems impact adversely on employees and EAP professionals assess and draw up an intervention plan to address these problems. “We have redrafted the EAP and substance abuse policy to provide better guidance on how to manage behavioural risks that impact on employee performance and productivity. We want to be more proactive, by educating employees about financial management and stress management in order to assist them to be more resilient to life challenges”. Says Lebelo. Lebelo says many employees are heavily indebted and indebtedness is becoming an epidemic. This impacts on their take-home pay, lowers their morale and self-esteem and affects their productivity. 16 – In the Loop
“So, we are bringing in a service provider to assess their needs and provide debt counselling to help them manage their debts. But we also want to check if all these garnishee orders are legitimate as people are being ripped off.” “We also offer a pre-retirement service so that those about to leave the City’s employ can get help.” Free health checks will be offered at the relaunch – for lifestyle diseases such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes etc. Lebelo’s message to the workers is: “We are open for business. Please don’t wait until it’s too late. We are here to serve you. We are professionals and we will treat everything 100% confidential. A healthy employee adds value and is very productive, which bodes well for the City.” He adds that the department is to be beefed up to provide enhanced service.
i
Communication Alert:
SALGA makes opening offer in salary negotiations The South African Local Government Association (SALGA), acting on behalf of 278 Municipalities countrywide made an offer of 4.45% increase for 2015/2016 during the opening rounds of negotiations. For years 2 and 3, SALGA offered an inflation-related increase plus an additional 0.25 %. The second round of negotiations will begin on 5 May. The salary and wage agreement signed in 2012 expires on 30 June 2015.
His appointment is in line with Executive Mayor, Councillor Mpho Parks Tau’s commitment to transparency, accountability and good governance in the City. Mayor Tau described Gumede’s appointment as “a culmination of years of planning, deliberations, public participation and intense negotiations, between political parties that help govern our city”. “The 2040 Growth and Development Strategy calls for council employees and leadership to embrace good governance practices and requires the City to be responsive, accountable, efficient and productive in the way it carries out its duties. It reflects the City’s approach to put people first and the Office of Ombudsman will hold everyone in the City’s administration accountable,” he says. As Ombudsman, Gumede will be the “designated neutral facilitator of last resort.” He will provide confidential and impartial assistance in resolving grievances and disputes. His responsibilities include investigating complaints, report findings and mediate fair settlements. All interactions with the Ombudsman are confidential and privileged. His office will ensure adherence to the principles of fairness and administrative justice and assist in preserving and promoting compliance with all resolutions, policies and bylaws. It will also investigate complaints relating to acts of maladministration and those that infringe on the Constitutional rights of citizens. Mayor Tau says citizens are urged to first take their grievances to established City structures and exhaust all available remedies before taking matters to the Ombudsman.
Meet the Ombudsman Adv. Gumede was born in Eshowe in northern KwaZulu- Natal and graduated with BA and LL.B degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand. He also holds a Masters degree in International Commercial Law from the University of Kent in the United Kingdom. He served as legal adviser in various companies and institutions, including Old Mutual, the Financial Services Board and BP South Africa. Adv. Gumede was admitted to the Western Cape High Court in 2003 and has been a member of the Johannesburg Society of Advocates since 2006.
Public Protector Thuli Madonsela told a recent public hearing that by establishing the Ombudsman’s Office, the City wanted to ensure that there was someone who carried the conscience of the public. “Whoever is appointed, must have the courage and power to tell councillors that they are not looking good, [in cases where they have erred],” she said at the time. In the Loop – 5
Smart City
Corridors of Freedom
you are the ones who are going to be responsible for implementing this,” the MMC said. The City and its partners – including technology giant IBM, Wits University, the Joburg Centre for Software Engineering and training institutions such as Seed Academy – consider information and communications technology as a priority sector that is central to improved productivity, economic development and job creation.
Big changes for Sandton transport under way T he Sandton CBD is destined for a comprehensive makeover with long-term changes to transport patterns and vehicle usage on the cards.
This will see a decisive shift away from private car traffic towards efficient public transport, bicycle lanes and pedestrian activities.
To achieve a more balanced transport mix, which is in line with trends in most modern urban environments, the City will introduce a number of interventions to encourage motorists to switch to alternative modes of transport. •
“Our objective is to create a liveable urban environment in Sandton, served by a multi-modal transport system that will improve access to this vital economic node in the north of the City,” says the MMC for Transport, Councillor Christine Walters.
The new Rea Vaya lane along Louis Botha Avenue and Katherine Street will link the northern suburbs with Soweto via the CBD and Hillbrow. It will also link to Alexandra, Midrand, Ivory Park, Sunninghill and Randburg;
•
A detailed Sandton Transport Master Plan has been developed by the City and consultations with residents and affected interest groups will continue in the months to come.
A transport loop will be established along Rivonia Avenue, Fredman Drive and 5th Street with a dedicated, curb-side lane for all forms of public transport;
•
Improved facilities are being arranged for taxi holding and a new rank will be constructed at the Sandton Gautrain Station;
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Plans to establish park-and-ride facilities at malls such as the Brightwater Commons, Monte Casino, Waterfall, Nicolway and Morningside Glen, are being discussed with developers;
The reality is that the Sandton CBD can grind to a halt if the current annual growth rate of 3% in commuter traffic continues unchecked, says MMC Walters. More than 85 000 vehicles, carrying close to 150 000 people move in and out of the Sandton precinct during peak hour traffic each day. 70% of these trips are undertaken in private cars. The long-term solutions will have to be found in safe, affordable and accessible public transport and a greater emphasis on non-motorised modes of commuting such as bicycles and walking. “We are working towards a future where cars will comprise less than 45% of the vehicle traffic in the Sandton precinct”, says Lisa Seftel, the Executive Director of Transport. Rea Vaya and bus trips will increase more than threefold -- from the current 6% to 20% -- while pedestrians and cyclists will, together, make up more than 13% of the traffic. 6 – In the Loop
•
Dedicated cycle lanes will be provided along Maude, West and Alice Streets and cyclists will in future be able to ride from Rosebank to Sandton on this network.
“Our initiatives in Sandton will become important indicators for future developments in the rest of Johannesburg,” says Seftel. “We intend to make public transport more accessible, create a denser network and enable commuters to switch easily between different modes during their daily journeys.”
JEDIS – looking for Jozi’s own Mark Zuckerbergs J
oburg now has its very own squad of digital knights, known as the JEDIS. And some of them might just turn out to be the next technology billionaires thanks to a programme launched by the City. Unlike their namesakes in the epic Star Wars movie franchise, the local JEDIS are firmly grounded in the day-to-day realities of a big city trying to keep abreast of the rapidly growing pace of technological innovation and development. . The JEDIS are tech-savvy young men and women who have been recruited into the Johannesburg Educating Digital Interns (JEDI) programme launched by Executive Mayor Councillor Parks Tau earlier this year. The aim is to empower them to boost their employability or to start their own businesses. The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Development, Councillor Ruby Mathang, summed up the objectives of the R20-million programme when he told the first wave of interns at Sci-Bono in Newtown: “We want you to be the new Mark Zuckerbergs.” Computer entrepreneur Zuckerberg co-founded the social network website, Facebook, while studying at Harvard University in the United States in the mid-2000s. The group of 250 was selected from a pool of 600 hopefuls via online platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. The number is expected to grow to 1 000 by the end of the year. MMC Mathang explained the links between this programme and the City’s plans to roll out free Wi-Fi. “We want people to have Wi-Fi access on buses, at taxi ranks and on the streets of Johannesburg – and
The selected candidates now have options to choose between studies in network engineering, web development or fibre engineering.
Over the next few months, they will undergo “boot camp-type” technical training and take part in an exciting six-month in-service training programme – gaining valuable practical experience working within the City and at some of South Africa’s most prestigious digital institutions. According to Zolani Matebese, the City’s Head of Broadband, the JEDI initiative – the single largest learnership programme ever in the municipality – demonstrates the City’s commitment to enrich people’s lives. “Once the initiative is rolling, the job of the digital interns will be to spread out into their communities,” he said. Ravi Naidoo, the City’s Executive Director for Economic Development, said efforts to “accelerate visionary entrepreneurs in the ICT sector” were evident from the success of its #Hack.Jozi Challenge. According to Matebese, the JEDI and #Hack.Jozi programmes will contribute to “improved productivity, economic growth and job creation”. Matebese’s optimism is shared by IBM’s Indran Naick. “IBM has always been a very innovative company and supporting this type of innovation is a big part of what we do all across the globe,” said Naick. Andile Ngcaba, chairman of FibreCo, told the interns how much his company was looking forward to “clubbing with you in making Johannesburg a world-class City.”
In the Loop – 15
Corridors of Freedom
Employee News
City opens doors for People with Disabilities through Training and Skills Programme P eople with Disabilities are getting unprecedented opportunities to receive vital on-the-job-training within the City of Johannesburg that might open the doors to future employment.
The first intake of 20 interns started work in March 2015 and they are full of praise and enthusiasm about the new experience designed to broaden their skills and prepare them for future careers. “I am so grateful to the City of Johannesburg for selecting me to be part of this new initiative,” says 40 year-old, Thulane Khumalo, who was retrenched by his former employer after his leg was severed in a vehicle accident. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime and I am determined to repay the confidence the City has shown in me through the quality of my performance.” He spoke to In the Loop during a break in the training programme which forms part of the one-year learnership. The interns will spend 30% of their time in the classroom to improve their theoretical skills and the remaining 70% working in departments across the City. The course work covers subjects such as Accounting, Budgeting, Ethics and the role of the various spheres of Government. The successful candidates will receive a National Certificate in Government Support Services (NQF Level 3) upon completion of the course, explains Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Group 14 – In the Loop
Corporate and Shared Services, Councillor Mally Mokoena. “This is a great experience for me,” says 31 year-old, Innocentia Mabasa, who has been wheelchair-bound since early childhood. She has joined the Citizen Relationship and Urban Management Unit (CRUM) and is hopeful that her performance during the year will lead to opportunities for full-time employment.
12-hour countdown to a green park R
otunda Park in Turffontein was turned into a lush, green and inviting environment during a 12-hour period on 26 March. This is the latest success in the Xtreme Park Makeover programme under the auspices of Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo. Within a 12-hour period Rotunda, one of the oldest green spaces located close to the inner-city, underwent a major transformation. Some 300 workers planted grass and trees, built new flower beds and painted the playground equipment.
The park's green pitch was revamped to accommodate a skate court, children's playground, fitness track and picnic shelters. The park's gym area and gym equipment as well as its cycling space have been enlarged and modernised. The aim of the Xtreme Park makeover initiative is to fast-track the establishment of outdoor recreational facilities in highdensity areas. Thus is achieved through the rehabilitation of public spaces that are showing symptoms of illegal dumping, littering, vandalism and vagrancy.
“We are challenging the interns to perform and excel during the 12-month period. If they demonstrate commitment to the job and depending on the availability of a budget and vacant positions, the City may offer them full-time positions in line with our commitment to grow the number of employees among People with Disabilities. Future employment is one the objectives of the programme”, says Ms. Kwatsha. Sabelo Luthuli, 21 year-old former matriculant from the Hope School in Soweto, says “it is a huge honour to be part of the first intake of interns.” He enjoys the opportunity to interact with colleagues and members of the public in his current placement at the Department of Social Development and sees a definite future career for himself in Local Government. Luthuli, who has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), says the City of Johannesburg should be congratulated for its leadership in bringing People with Disabilities into the mainstream of the work environment. In the Loop – 7
Employee News
Jozi@Work
Jozi@Work brings major changes to Pikitup’s activities J
ozi@Work is changing the way Pikitup conducts its business with the continuing roll-out of waste-related work packages to cooperatives in the city. The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Environment and Infrastructure Services, Councillor Matshidiso Mfikoe says Pikitup is changing its model from being totally responsible for waste collection to a community collection system where the focus is on the empowerment of cooperatives and emerging enterprises.
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bagging of waste and transportation to sorting facilities;
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litter bin cleaning;
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cleaning and eradication of illegal dumping spots;
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collection of dumped waste into bags, tipper trucks or skips;
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sorting of recyclable waste and its disposal through the recycling market.
Community Development Achievers in the spotlight There was a festive atmosphere when the Department of Community Development held an awards ceremony to recognise its outstanding employees and departments. The winners were presented with certificates and floating trophies.
The selected cooperatives will also work closely with local ward committees and community-based organisations to conduct education and awareness campaigns against illegal dumping and littering. MMC Mfikoe says through Jozi@Work Pikitup wants to promote active citizenship and encourage communities to play a role in preserving and protecting the environment. At the same time, the programme contributes to poverty alleviation because it provides opportunities for sustainable job creation and enterprise development.
The winner of the Executive Director’s Award Choice; with Vicky Shuping; Executive Director of Customer Relations and Urban Management.
Best Support Unit winner: Finance and the Office of the MMC.
The project also has significant educational value because it will result in a reduction in littering and illegal dumping and promote the concept of sustainability and the value of clean and liveable environments.
This is in line with the Jozi@Work concept of developmental service delivery announced by Executive Mayor, Councillor Mpho Parks Tau in his 2014 State of the City Address.
Field workers from the City will soon visit homes of Joburg residents to provide them with information on the Jozi@Work programme and how they can participate in work packages offered by Pikitup.
“Our objective is that a ring-fenced proportion of Pikitup’s budget must go to ‘local hands’ organised through a network of Capability Support Agencies,” says MMC Mfikoe. Communities can come up with their own ideas and suggestions which will then be refined through regional steering committees.
The campaign will start in April. Residents should be on the lookout for the field workers who will be dressed in the distinctive yellow/gold overalls worn by participants in Jozi@Work.
Faried Loonat, Best Manager is congratulated by the Executive Director of Community Development Dudu Maseko.
Finance was named as the Best Support Unit.
Joburg in pictures
The first work packages for Pikitup have already started in the Zondi area in Soweto and opportunities for participation have been advertised in other areas. Ten cooperatives were appointed and will be supported by The Waste Group which serves as the Capability Support Agency for Pikitup. The cooperatives will be responsible for a number of activities, including the: •
distribution of refuse and recycling bags;
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cleaning of targeted open areas and open spaces; 8 – In the Loop
Executive Mayor Parks Tau hosted the Mayor of Ramallah in Palestine, Musa Hadid, as part of Human Rights Day celebrations.
Speaker Connie Bapela, MMC Mally Mokoena and Mayor Parks Tau with some top matric performers from poor backgrounds who received support from the City to assist them with their studies at tertiary institutions.
In the Loop – 13
Health
City geared up for
Economic Development
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Measles;
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Tuberculosis (TB);
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Polio – which causes irreversible paralysis;
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Diphtheria – a bacterial infection in the nose or throat;
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Tetanus – also called “lockjaw”
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Whooping cough – a highly infectious bacterial infection;
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Hepatitis B; and
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Diarrhoea caused by the Rotavirus;
vaccination season
Successful global vaccination campaigns have helped to eradicate many of these conditions in large parts of the world – including South Africa.
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However, these programmes must be maintained to prevent future outbreaks of the diseases that have long-term implications for health and high rates of mortality.
accination against preventable childhood diseases is the most important public health initiative undertaken in Johannesburg. A city-wide awareness campaign to emphasise the benefits of immunisation will be undertaken from 24 to 30 April during the annual Global / African Vaccination Week. Councillor Nonceba Molwele, Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Health and Social Development says Johannesburg has achieved enviable results with its vaccination programmes reaching more than 99% of the population. Vaccination forms part of the free health care services provided by healthcare professionals at the 80 clinics and health facilities managed by the City. Mothers and their young children who require immunisation on the prescribed schedules, can visit the clinics five days a week during normal operating hours. MMC Molwele says the purpose of Vaccination Week is to bring the message across that: “health is in the hands of the people.” Every person – especially women and children – have the right to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Immunisation gives comprehensive protection against some of the most dangerous diseases known to humanity. Among them are:
12 – In the Loop
Mary Daka, the Deputy Director: Public Health, says vaccination is a priority programme for the City and it wants to increase the demand for, and utilisation of, immunisation services. During the week health promotors, ward-based outreach teams and field workers from Jozi Ihlomile move from door-to-door to provide information and trace unimmunised children. They will then be referred to the nearest health facilities to receive vaccinations. Communication is also done through Social Media and the distribution of pamphlets containing information about the immunisation schedules that must be adhered to. Daka says the importance of vaccination should not be underestimated. Many of the diseases are either life-threatening or can have long-term health consequences. They are also easily spread through body fluids, interpersonal contact or contamination caused by poor hygiene. Children who share confined spaces that are often poorly ventilated such as classrooms are the most at risk. The good news is that global vaccination programmes have helped to increase resistance in the population and almost eradicated the presence of conditions such as polio in South Africa. The last reported case of polio in South Africa was in 1992, but the country – and the City – are not resting on their laurels or scaling down immunisation efforts.
City ready to swing along at Rand Show 2015 T he City of Johannesburg will have a prominent and vibrant presence at the annual Rand Show to be held at the Nasrec Exhibition Centre in early April.
displays by the SA National Defence Force which include practical demonstrations of military manoeuvres used in battle conditions, precision marching drills and equipment used during its peace-keeping operations.
The Executive Mayor, Councillor Mpho Parks Tau will conduct the official opening of an event which has grown into the biggest exhibition aimed at general consumers and visitors in the country.
It will also feature a wide variety of fun rides, water slides and adventure trips while South Africa’s strongest men and women will compete for bragging rights at a truck-pulling competition held on 11 and 12 April.
“We have to be where the people are to ensure that when they raise their concerns, we are there to address them,” Mayor Tau said when he announced that the City would have a stall at this year’s Rand Show.
Ticket prices vary between R50 and R120 – depending on peak periods – with special deals available to pensioners, teens and young children.
This year’s show will take place from 3 to 12 April and is expected to attract close to a quarter of a million visitors and more than 300 exhibitors ranging from government departments to private sector companies. The City’s stall will be manned by officials from all municipal-owned entities between 9am and 7pm on a daily basis, with a view to addressing municipal-related concerns raised by residents. “Many of our residents hardly ever get time off work to visit our offices to have matters related to rates, municipal accounts and other issues addressed,” Mayor Tau said. The City uses the Rand Show to distribute information on vital issues such as fire and water safety, its health and social welfare programmes and the roll-out of smart technology to manage water and power consumption. The organisers of the Rand Show promise that this year’s event will be one of the biggest and best-attended shows in history. Among the top attractions will be
Visitors to the Rand Show are encouraged to make use of the Rea Vaya rapid transit service which has stops located conveniently close to the Nasrec venue.
Five things to know about the Rand Show: •
The first Rand Show was held in 1894 – 121 years ago – and organised by the Witwatersrand Agricultural Society.
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It is popularly known as the Rand Easter Show because it coincides with the annual Easter Holiday weekend;
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The show was first hosted at Milner Park on Empire Road which is today housing the West Campus of the University of the Witwatersrand;
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In 1984 the show was moved to its current venue at the Nasrec Expo Centre.
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Last year the show attracted more than 200 000 visitors during the 11 day period. In the Loop – 9
Human & Social Development
Opinion
elderly. During the day the Department will also provide details about a wide range of services offered to senior citizens such as wellness programmes, advice on healthy lifestyles and awareness on social grants and human rights issues as well a variety of social activities and hobbies.
Recent events in Johannesburg and other urban centres where violent acts were directed towards foreigners, especially migrants from the rest of Africa, have focused the attention on the important issue of social cohesion and forced us to ponder whether as a City, we are doing enough to promote inclusivity and the integration of communities.
The City is also responsible for the management of a number of old age homes and retirement villages and it provides support and advice to welfare organisations that provide special services such as home-based care.
Johannesburg is proud of its multicultural tradition. We regard diversity as a virtue, not a hindrance. We celebrate the contribution that people from diverse backgrounds, speaking different languages and representing different traditions, are making to build a truly great African city, a beacon of economic growth and development and a symbol to the world of how a united City can prosper despite a legacy of enforced separation and mistrust. The Department of Community Development has committed itself to actions and initiatives that will accelerate the process of social cohesion. It believes the most effective way to achieve this is to address issues with the potential to divide communities, contributing to mistrust and undermining the efforts to build a united city with a shared future for all. Major changes towards greater social cohesion are indeed happening in Johannesburg. These are often overshadowed by dramatic negative events reflected in the media and which divert attention from the real progress being made. Chris Vondo; Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development.
Let’s enjoy our freedom
and build a united city
The annual Freedom Day celebrations always provide South Africans with an opportunity to reflect on the gains made since the democratic transition of 1994 – but also to commit to a future where the principles enshrined in the Constitution find expression in our actions and decisions. The 2015 event will have added significance because it is celebrated in the same year in which our country commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Freedom Charter adoption at Kliptown in 1955. This seminal document is also the bedrock upon which our modern Constitution and our system of democratic local governance were built.
10 – In the Loop
Community Development has put in place tangible interventions to alleviate poverty and long-term measures to ensure the growth of sustainable and self-reliant communities. Its literacy initiatives and skills development projects are all designed to promote social cohesion through access to common social spaces and shared cultural opportunities. The programmes offered address the core challenges of poverty and vulnerability, inequality and social exclusion. Our libraries open new worlds of learning for young and old alike, while the promotion of cultural events and sports activities help to further break down the barriers that still divide society. Freedom Day 2015 should therefore provide Joburgers with many reasons to celebrate. But it will also serve as a reminder of what still needs to be done and the contribution that each of our citizens can make towards the creation of a City truly united in its diversity.
The event is being organised in collaboration with a NonGovermental Organisation Ketso Net and the Johannesburg Forum for the Elderly who organise programmes, events and outings for senior citizens throughout the year.
Joburgers born a century ago have experienced tumultuous times and were witnesses to the growth of Johannesburg as a modern city and the economic hub of Southern Africa.
Caring city honours the elderly
If you saw the first light of day in 1915 you would have been: •
seven years old when the University of the Witwatersrand was moved to its present campus in Braamfontein (1922);
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12 when the first traffic light was installed in the City (1927);
enior citizens over the age of 100 will be celebrated at a special event hosted by the City of Johannesburg on 15 April.
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26 when Nelson Mandela first moved to Johannesburg and found accommodation at 46, Seventh Avenue in Alexandra (1941);
More than 800 elderly people from across the City will attend the function hosted by the Executive Mayor, Councillor Mpho Parks Tau at the Walter Sisulu Community Hall in Randburg. Here they will enjoy a special lunch, listen to entertainment and receive a gift to mark them reaching this special milestone.
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32 when construction on the Baragwanath Hospital (Chris Hani-Bara) was completed (1947);
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40 when the Freedom Charter was adopted at a mass meeting in Kliptown (1955);
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48 when political activists were arrested at Liliesleaf Farm and charged with treason during the Rivonia Trial (1963);
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56 when construction on the Hillbrow Tower was completed (1971);
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61 when the Soweto Uprising started (1976);
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75 when Nelson Mandela was released after 27 years imprisonment and returned to his home in Vilakazi Street, Soweto;
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85 when you could vote for the first time in a democratic local government election (2000).
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Councillor Nonceba Molwele, the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development says the celebration will honour the contribution made by the elderly to the growth of Johannesburg. “They were born at a time when Johannesburg was only a mid-sized mining town and they helped to make it grow into Africa’s largest commercial centre and a global city.” The theme of the day will be to honour the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela who started his legal career and political activism in Johannesburg. He later returned to the City after his retirement as South Africa’s first democratically elected President. Like his struggle comrade, Walter Sisulu, Madiba was later honoured with the Freedom of the City of Johannesburg. The Executive Head of Social Development, Wandile Zwane says the event demonstrates the City’s reputation as a caring city which is committed to support the
In the Loop – 11