In The Loop-January 2016

Page 1

Internal Newsletter

In the Loop Issue No.

23 Jan 2016

What’s inside:

Joburg Open swings the way to success

5

9

14


Contents

3

Message from the Executive Mayor

4

Joburg voters will go to the polls in busy 2016

5

Skywalk to create safer access for students in busy corridor

6

Upgraded clinic to improve health services in HillbrowSmart City opening new worlds to Joburgers

7

Scores of youth take up City youth empowerment opportunity

8

Vote of confidence in City’s financial leadership will boost investment

Arts, Sports & Culture

9

Skills for Africa’ brings bright new talent into the City

10

2016 started in festive spirit

11

Night of the Stars Region G Awards

12

Devoted colleagues call it a day at JMPD

13

A trip down Memory Lane with Woza Albert!

14

Charity wins big at Joburg Open Dinner

15

10th Joburg Open turns out to be the best ever

Acknowledgements

Cover Credits

Chief Editor Makhudu Sefara - MakhuduS@joburg.org.za

The Joburg Open has served as a launch pad for successful golfing careers in the past. The 2016 tournament lived up to this reputation when 21-year old Haydn Porteous won his maiden victory on the European Tour.

Editor: Thomas Thale - thomasth@joburg.org.za Contributor: Luyanda Lunika - luyandal@joburg.org.za Photography: Enoch Lehung - enochl@joburg.org.za Simon Mfumadi Nomsa Lehlwetsa Smanga Kumalo

MMC Mally Mokoena, the Acting Executive Mayor, presented him with the coveted trophyand his share of the £1.5-million prize money.

10th Joburg Open turned out to be the best ever T

he Joburg Open was hosted for the 10th successive year at the iconic Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Course in the City. More than 200 golfers from across the world teed off for the first round at an event that has now become a firm fixture on both the European and South African golfing calendars.

Haydn Porteous, a 21-year old local prodigy walked away with the winner’s cheque and the prestigious trophy. The action was broadcasted to television audiences in 35 countries – confirming the Joburg Open’s ability to showcase the City as a world-class golf and leisure destination.

The Euro 1.5-million prize money was shared among the top finishers that included South African golfing legend, Ernie Els.

January 2016

In the Loop – 15


Message from the Executive Mayor

Arts, Sports & Culture

Contents

Message from the Executive Mayor

1

We are leading South Africa – and, in many cases, the world – in our efforts to bring the youth into the mainstream of economic activities in a bid to realise socio-economic transformation in our communities. All this is through the City’s innovative and creative developmental programmes such as Jozi@Work, Vulindlel’ eJozi and the Jozi Digital Ambassadors.

2

We have also embraced the transforming qualities of new technologies and the City has massively invested in broadband and Wi-Fi infrastructure to enable the effective roll-out of these developmental programmes.

3

4

Be the change you want to see in Joburg Colleagues,

5

Charity wins big at Joburg Open Dinner The annual Gala Dinner on the eve of the 2016 Joburg Open was an opportunity for the City’s movers and shakers to make contributions to charitable causes. The dinner followed a very successful Pro-Am event during which guests teamed up with some of the world’s top golfers at the Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Course. Acting Executive Mayor, Mally Mokoena, welcomed guests and participants to the event and promised that the 10th Joburg Open would affirm Johannesburg’s reputation as a world-class African city with world-class infrastructure. Money raised during the event is donated to various charitable institutions such as the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital and sports and recreational development in the City. 1. Gauteng Premier, David Makhura, shared the stage with City of Johannesburg Events Director, Bongi Mokaba, MMC Mally Mokoena and the Chairman of Multisource, Phumlani Moholi.

6

The great Indian statesman, Mahatma Gandhi – who started his career as a human rights activist in Johannesburg – once called on his fellow campaigners for freedom to “be the change you want to see in the world.” At the start of 2016 we are looking forward with great anticipation to a watershed period in the City of Johannesburg’s history. Over the past several years we have built up sufficient momentum for change in the way in which the City conducts its business.

Furthermore, the City has taken pro-active steps to address the challenges relating to energy shortages and the constraints on our natural resources through the introduction of, among other innovations, load limiting - to minimise load shedding in City Power supplied areas of Johannesburg. We are also in the midst of a massive programme to rejuvenate the City’s core infrastructure, which includes roads and highways, re-engineered bridges and our stormwater system. It is already evident that the City of Johannesburg is providing, not only South Africa, but the whole African continent with leadership and innovation in the fields of urban design and sustainable transport alternatives. We are living and demonstrating the role that cities should play as the primary building blocks of democratic countries. Within all these processes of radical interventions and changes, the City of Johannesburg has not neglected its responsibility of

service delivery. We are a city hard at work to provide residents with quality basic services that they should rightfully expect from a well-functioning municipality. And we have achieved this within a climate of economic slowdown, both within the world and inside South Africa. The confidence by the global markets in the quality of our financial and administrative management was best illustrated in December 2015 when ratings agency, Fitch, upgraded and affirmed Johannesburg’s long-term ratings. The challenge of 2016 is to sustain this momentum and to ensure that Johannesburg remains steps ahead in providing leadership to other cities on the African continent. However, this is not only the responsibility of the leadership of the City. On the contrary, our achievements of the past can be directly attributed to the passion and dedication of all City of Johannesburg employees, across all departments and city-owned entities. It is in this spirit that I call on all my colleagues in the City of Johannesburg to recommit yourselves to a spirit of quality service delivery. We need to ensure that all the people of Johannesburg benefit equally from our innovative practices, programmes and achievements. In the spirit of Gandhi, we have seen that indeed today became better than yesterday – and now it is time to ensure that tomorrow is better than today.

Cllr. Mpho Parks Tau Executive Mayor

Use the QR code reader on your smartphone to scan these barcodes.

2. Jan van der Putten, Vice President: Operations of the Hilton Hotel Group addressed the Gala Dinner on behalf of the sponsors. 3. Acting Executive Mayor, MMC Mally Mokoena, welcomed guests, supported by Grant Wilson, of the Sunshine Tour. 4. Group Executive of Business Development at EOH, Patrick Makhubedu enjoying the gala dinner with Dr Nono Mohutsioa and Roy Mathabatha. 5. The City hosted a group of prominent business people from India who participated in the Pro-Am and spent time in Johannesburg. 6. The City’s Chief Operating Officer, Gerald Dumas, addressed the guests at the event.

14 – January 2016

www.facebook.com/ CityofJohannesburg

www.plus.google.com/ 1131415161359973 56931/posts

www.instagram.com

www.twitter.com/ CityofJoburgZA

www.youtube.com/ my_videos?o=U

www.flickr.com/ photos/city_ of_joburg/

www.linkedin.com/ profile/view?id=2453 26835&trk=tab_pro

In the Loop – 3


Arts, Sports & Culture

Good Governance

Joburg voters will go to the polls in busy 2016

A trip down Memory Lane with Woza Albert! Roll back the Rock and Roll times

W

oza Albert! is one of the plays that defined South African theatre since it was first produced in the mid-1980s. Set in apartheid South Africa, this celebrated classic asks what would happen if Jesus Christ – Morena – returns to earth and saves South Africans from the absurdities of racial oppression. Thirty years later, Woza Albert! still uses biting humour, dance, mime and song to shine a light on South Africa’s dark past. It offers an engaging and satirical insight into our history which was littered with laws that ensured black lives did not matter. However, the award-winning play is as relevant today as it was all those years ago because some of the issues it tackles remain part of our daily experience.

L

ocal government elections will dominate the civic and political scenes in Johannesburg this year as residents go to the polls to elect their representatives on the City Council. A date for the elections has not yet been determined – but it is widely expected to take place in the second quarter of the year. The last poll was held on 18 May 2011. More councillors to be elected The number of elected Councillors in the City will grow by ten – from 260 to 270 – following a demarcation process conducted by the Municipal Demarcation Board in 2015. Five new Wards were added to reflect the City’s growing population. This brings the number of directly elected Ward Councillors to 135 – with a further 135 to be elected through the system of proportional representation. As the largest City in South Africa – and its economic and financial hub – the local elections in Johannesburg will be closely watched by both local and international observers. The various political parties that will contest the polls will start their respective nomination processes early in the new year and build up their campaigns to draw the support of Joburgers as the election date comes nearer.

deliver his annual State of the City Address – SOCA – prior to the elections. Another SOCA will be scheduled following the polls during which the newly elected Mayor and Executive will set out their priorities for the new five year term in greater detail. After the elections, attention will turn to the annual Budget and the debates taking place within Council and in the various portfolio committees – Section 79 Committees – that perform oversight over the Executive. In 2015 the MMC for Finance, Councillor Geoffrey Makhubo, presented a record budget of R52.6-billion to Council consisting of R42.7-billion for operating expenditure and R9.9-billion for capital expenditure. However, Johannesburg remains the only state institution that appropriates a three year capital budget and close on R30-billion was allocated for this leading up to the conclusion of the 2017/18 financial year.

Written by Percy Mtwa, Mbongeni Ngema and Barney Simon Woza Albert! burst onto world stages with an irreverent view of the atrocities of apartheid. The veterans have since passed the baton to young guns in the form of the talented Mncedisi Shabangu and Hamilton Dhlamini. For 90 minutes the two actors captivate audiences through energetic and physical action as they perform the roles of barbers, domestic workers, soldiers and labourers who just heard the exciting news that Morena has landed by jumbo jet from Jerusalem to free South Africans from the chains of oppression. Woza Albert! hits the Joburg Theatre’s Fridge Stage on 5 February. It will be on show at 10am from Tuesdays to Thursdays and at 20h00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are available at www.joburgtheatre.com. There are special prices available for pensioners and high school pupils who are studying Woza Albert! this year as part of the speech and drama curriculum.

Joburg audiences will be transported back to the heydays of Rock and Roll, of swanky muscle cars, jiving couples, visits to road houses and dancing to the beat of swinging music. Bye Bye Baby that opens at the Joburg Theatre on 10 February – and runs till the end of the month – takes audiences on a musical journey through the Fifties and the Sixties. The sounds of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons provide the soundtrack to the extravaganza that has been performed with great success on stages across the United Kingdom. Valli had a distinctive falsetto voice and, together with his back-up group, he performed a number of charttopping songs and wrote the theme music for some of the great cult movies of the era – most notably The Deer Hunter, Dirty Dancing and the hit musical, Grease. Now, in his 80s, Valli still writes music and hit songs and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Reprising his role on the Joburg stage will be British singer, Jamie Ledwith, whose own falsetto voice is often compared to that of the original master. He will be supported by a combination of world-class vocals and harmonies, snappy choreography and a vast catalogue of easily recognisable hits. Bye Bye Baby will offer Joburg audiences a memorable an unforgettable night of nostalgia and set the stage for one of the most exciting years yet at both the Joburg and Soweto theatres.

Register to cast your ballot Voter registration takes place throughout the intervening years between elections and City residents are encouraged to check on the website of the Independent Electoral Commission – www.elections.org.za – whether they are registered or to phone the IEC’s helpline on 0800 11 8000. This is especially important for young voters who have turned 18 since the last national elections in 2014 or citizens who have recently moved to Johannesburg. Two SOCA’s scheduled The Elections will also have an impact on the City’s calendar for 2016. Executive Mayor, Councillor Mpho Parks Tau will

4 – January 2016

In the Loop – 13


Corridors of Freedom Financial Sustainability

Employee News

Devoted colleagues call it a day at JMPD M

ore than four decades after joining the City’s law enforcement division, four of the JMPD’s most dedicated employees are about to say their farewells to colleagues. Between them Lindaman Madziba, Helimon Dlamini, Fumbatha Mhlatshwa and Reginald Nkosi have accumulated more than 170 years of experience at various directorates of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department. Their retirements will leave huge gaps at the Department, but they share a confidence that the JMPD – and the City of Johannesburg – are on the right tracks to look after the safety and well-being of residents. Nkosi recalls that he joined as a traffic officer in 1971 and rose through the ranks after obtaining a diploma in Traffic Management two years later. He will soon retire with the rank of Superintendent. His three colleagues share a common experience of having worked as dog handlers during parts of their careers. Madiba was attached to the recovery unit while Dlamini and Mhlatshawa end their service in the by-law management directorate. They share a love for the City and the its people and a gratitude towards the JMPD and their colleagues who gave them opportunities to grow as persons, start families and support the education of their children.

Advice to colleagues “I love my job,” says Mhlatshwa. “I hope that I served as an example for my colleagues that will motivate them to work hard and be committed to their daily responsibilities.” Nkosi firmly believes in the virtues of “respect, patience, honesty and prosperity. If the City takes care of its employees, the employees will take care of the City,” is his sage advice. Dlamini relished the opportunities to work with members of the public while serving in the JMPD. His parting reminders to colleagues are to maintain a work ethic, show respect and be neat and punctual in their duties. Enriching experiences For Nkosi it was an enriching experience to see Johannesburg grow into a green and safer city. Service delivery has improved and the introduction of the Ten Plus programme was a vital intervention to create a safer environment, he says. The veteran lawman will soon have more time to spend with his family – including one child at university – and to indulge in his passion for birdwatching. Mhlatshwa intends to return to his family roots in the Eastern Cape while his other colleagues hope to devote more time to family, church and recreational activities.

Skywalk to create safer access for students in busy corridor A

circular skywalk will soon be constructed in Auckland Park to provide easier and safer access for thousands of students who have to navigate heavy traffic near the University of Johannesburg. The elevated walkway is an ingenious engineering solution offered by the Johannesburg Development Agency to manage the conflict between pedestrian and vehicular movement in a very busy City precinct. The route is vital section of the Empire-Perth Corridor of Freedom and is attracting growing volumes of traffic, including Rea Vaya buses, minibus taxis and passenger vehicles. Many of the students commute to the campus on foot or by bicycle and this has raised concerns about safety at the intersection of Kingsway Avenue and Beyers Naudé Drive. “A skywalk that raises pedestrian traffic above ground is a safe and elegant solution,” says Siyabonga Genu, development manager at the JDA, “and will also become a landmark in its own right.” The JDA took the initiative to design and implement a solution for the pedestrian vehicle congestion which is compounded by vehicle slip lanes at all four legs of the intersection. This feature helps to make the traffic flow more easily – but it does pose difficulties for passengers to negotiate their ways. The skywalk – or Hub – will enable pedestrians and cyclists to move safely between the University campus, the neighbouring residences, the Campus Park shopping centre and the many restaurants and shops in the vicinity.

Pending approval of the final design, construction of the skywalk will begin around the middle of 2016 and take about a year to complete.

UJ students have expressed their approval for the new traffic feature that will provide them with safer access to the campus. • Twenty-year old Katlego Mosima says she has always found the intersection to be dangerous. “We often have to run across the road looking out for taxi drivers and speeding motorists. A new bridge will allow for easy, safe travel across a busy intersection.” • Gladwell Ngweng, 22, is hopeful that the skywalk will enable students to move more safely between the campus and the neighbouring shops and restaurants. “Drivers are not always very considerate and many students are resorting to jaywalking to cross the road,” he says.

Siyabonga Genu of the JDA says the new engineering feature will contribute to the successful implementation of the Corridors of Freedom initiative. “It is in line with the City’s commitment to create liveable and sustainable environments in which residents are able to navigate safely and efficiently using both public and non-motorised transport,” he says.

On duty till the last day: Helimon Dlamini, Fumbatha Mhlatshwa and Lindaman Madziba.

12 – January 2016

In the Loop – 5


Employee News

Corridors of Freedom

Upgraded clinic to improve health services in Hillbrow

T

he Esselen Clinic in Hillbrow is undergoing a major upgrade with the construction of new consulting rooms and modern health facilities to meet the needs of the inner city’s growing population. The project is managed by the Johannesburg Development Agency – JDA – and will result in a major facelift to an important community facility that is more than 70 years old. The clinic forms part of the City’s flagship Corridors of Freedom initiative. Jocelyn Davids, the Development Manager at the JDA, says the aim is to raise the standards of health-care services for residents of Hillbrow and surrounding areas. “We are transforming the way the Esselen Clinic delivers health-care services to the community,” she says. “Thus, we are upgrading the building, reorganising the space and putting in place new facilities.”

The clinic was originally designed as a maternity hospital but, through the years, it has expanded the range of services offered to the public. The current work includes the upgrading of two entire floors to provide better access and facilities to patients and staff.

Night of the Stars Region G Awards Region G celebrated its annual achievements with a Night of the Stars Awards Ceremony.

1

2

3

4

A new ramp will connect the two busiest floors and some internal walls are being demolished to open up additional space and ease the flow of movement of people. The upgraded facilities incorporate 20 consulting rooms, a urine testing facility, a pharmacy, kitchen, change rooms, linen rooms and isolation units. Four spacious waiting areas are spread around the clinic and patients can also wait for treatment in a new courtyard area. “The completed clinic will be user-friendly and will accommodate everyone,” says Davids. The waiting period for patients will be shortened and the new layout and facilities will improve the quality of their interaction with the City. 6

5

1. Thamsanqa Radebe, the Deputy Director for Service Delivery received his award for the best performance by a department from Pastor Sonia Raaft of Ennerdale. 2. Christelle Miller was recognised for being the best employee in a service delivery department. 3. Elizabeth Mokoena was honoured with an award for best performer in the Office of the Regional Director. 4. The title of Employee of the Year in service delivery was bestowed on Lydia Phofu. 5. Wayne de Villiers received his recognition as the best performing staff member in service delivery from Michael Titus of Pikitup. 6. Lebo Motijane was named as the best learner in ABET programmes for 2015.

6 – January 2016

In the Loop – 11


Green Economy

Human and Social Development

Scores of youth take up City youth empowerment opportunity

i Vulindlel’ eJozi in numbers:

J

ust over 100 000 young people have already registered for Vulindlel ‘eJozi – a youth programme designed to break down barriers to opportunities for up to 200 000 young people.

2016 started in

festive spirit

The milestone was achieved within the first Quarter following the launch of the joint youth initiative between the City of Johannesburg and Harambee Youth Accelerator in June 2015.

J

oburgers celebrated the start of the New Year in style with a colourful Carnival procession through the streets of the Inner City and a music festival in Newtown. Some 300 dancers and performers clad in colourful costumes participated in the Carnival that started in Hillbrow and ended at Mary Fitzgerald Square. Here, thousands of party-goers danced their way into 2016 to the beats of some of the country’s top performing artists. A massive firework performance, launched from the M1 motorway, signalled the start of January 2016

Phindile Chauke, spokesperson for the Executive Mayor, Councillor Parks Tau, says Vulindlel’ eJozi is a fresh approach to youth empowerment because of its ability to match the skills of young people with the needs of employers in the labour market, further education opportunities and entrepreneurial development. The programme was first announced by Mayor Tau in his State of the City Address 2015 in which he described it as an initiative aimed at prompting the youth to actively contribute in shaping their future. Chauke says that registration of young people for Vulindlel’ eJozi – on either its mobi-site or during awareness campaigns in various Johannesburg communities – is an essential first step to be taken.

200 000 – the target for the number of young people who will be registered and benefit from entry-level job training and placement, on-line further education and training as well as entrepreneurship skills development;

100 000 – the number of youthful Joburgers who have registered for the programme within the first Quarter;

45 000 – the number of opportunities already secured and available for candidates;

7 000 – the number of candidates that are already supported by the programme;

1 000 – the number of young people that have already secured permanent entry-level jobs across various sectors of the economy.

Chauke says that several youth development initiatives by the City of Johannesburg have recently been recognised in a global study commissioned by Citi Foundation and reported in the influential publication, The Economist. “In this report Johannesburg is named as one of 35 cities around the world whose youth development initiatives – especially Vulindlel’ eJozi and Jozi@Work – are found to be effective and aggressively harnessing the power of youth to drive sustainable economic growth,” she says.

The registration is then followed by the screening of candidates to establish their needs in comparison to opportunities that have already been secured by the programme. The candidates are professionally assessed through interviews and testing to determine their existing skills and establish areas where further training is required. The initiative is also unique in that it gives young people access to meaningful opportunities at no financial cost to themselves. “This is made possible through collaboration between the City, communities and the private sector - in a bid to break down barriers to opportunities and tackle the estimated 33% youth unemployment in Johannesburg,” she says.

10 – January 2016

In the Loop – 7


Human and Social Development

Good Governance

Vote of confidence in City’s financial leadership will boost investment J

ohannesburg’s reputation as an attractive destination for investment was strengthened by the decision of global agency, Fitch Ratings, to upgrade and affirm the City’s long-term ratings. The Fitch decision demonstrates confidence in the quality of Johannesburg’s financial management and corporate governance, says Councillor Geoffrey Makhubo the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance.

4

Top Five Questions and Answers on the City’s rating. MMC Makhubo answered a number of important questions in an interview.

1 2 3

1. Why is the Fitch decision so significant? The affirmation of our rating came at a time when there were gloom and pessimism about the financial performance of institutions in South Africa. Within this climate of uncertainty in local and global markets, rising interest rates and rapid fluctuations of currencies Joburg stands out as a great example of stability and prudent financial management.

5

‘Skills for Africa’ brings bright new talent into the City

By participating in the soccer activities the ladies have managed to bring lifestyle illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity under control. The initiative also helps to make the elderly feel loved and honoured by the community. “We also teach them self-defence tactics, arts and crafts and gardening. We aim to empower the elderly in every way we can,” says Cllr Nxumalo. The function was also attended by members of other teams that take part in the annual tournament including Ogogo Besivivane of Zola, the Pimville All Stars, Ipi Ntombi of Diepkloof and Ria Stars of Rockville.

4. What are the Agency’s expectations for the future? Fitch notes that, despite a slowdown in the national economy, the City’s R10-billion investment in infrastructure over a ten year period will support the continuing good performance of Joburg’s economy. This will lead to an average growth in Gross Domestic Product – GDP – of 2 to 3 % over the medium term resulting in an expanding tax base when coupled with a slightly rising population.

5. What are main benefits attached to the Ratings upgrade? For global investors it shows that Johannesburg is a safe and potentially profitable investment destination. For local residents, ratepayers and the business sector it sends positive messages that the policies implemented by the City are correct and that the leadership can be trusted to continue on its current path.

2. What are the implications of the improved ratings?

The captain of the Jabavu Top Ten FC, Lindiwe Mkhasibe, says her team is delighted with winning both the league and knock- competition and determined to build on its success in 2016.

S ome 30 talented young City graduates are about to start an advanced skills development programme that will place them on the ladders to careers in the public service.

They will benefit from the SAP Skills for Africa initiative – a scholarship that offers three months of training to graduate students with an interest in local government. Alexandra-born Lesego Nonyane, says she is “over the moon with joy” for the opportunity to join the programme and “to work with one of the most respected institutions in the country – the City of Johannesburg.” The 23-year old graduate from the CIDA City Campus has an interest in public administration and human resource management and wants to add technology skills to broaden her horisons. Through a partnership with the City the students will undergo a ten week training programme consisting of a combination of classroom lectures and e-learning through access to digital courses. Half of the Joburg class will specialise in SAP Financial systems while the remainder will receive their training on the SAP Human Capital Management programme. With an Honours-degree in Political Science from Wits, 28-year old Zain Carrim describes himself as “highly-motivated to make a career in the public sector.” The training programme will enable him to add hands-on technical skills to the academic knowledge he has already acquired.

Gogos dribble their way to health and victory

Investors take long-term decisions based on the analyses provided by the global ratings agencies. This report will give them confidence in the stability of the City’s political and administrative leadership and in our management of its finances. This should result in more investment, leading to economic growth, job creation and further opportunities to improve infrastructure and the quality of service delivery.

8 – January 2016

Community action needed to tackle causes of crime

A

concerted drive to address issues plaguing communities – and tackle crime at its roots – will take place in the City this year. The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Public Safety, Cllr Sello Lemao, says City departments will visit all seven regions between January and June to listen to communities and identify issues that require priority attention. MMC Lemao launched a festive season safety campaign in Riverlea and then went on a walkabout to meet members of the community and listen to their concerns about safety. Drug abuse, break-ins, robberies and assaults were among the issues mentioned most frequently by residents. Several crime hotspots in the metro were identified and targeted by law enforcement agencies during the holiday period. “Our aim was to make criminals feel unwelcome in communities,” says MMC Lemao. “We want to form partnerships with communities to address crime and develop strategies to root out the causes of criminality.” Civic and community leader, the Rev Eugene Sinclair, who accompanied MMC Lemao, says the social ills affecting communities such as Riverlea and Noordgesig must be addressed by parents taking responsibility for the errant behaviour of their children.

3. On which basis did Fitch Ratings take its decision? The agency lauded the City for its “robust budgetary performance” when measured against international standards. It highlighted the fact that Joburg is the largest – and wealthiest – city in the country and home to the major financial institutions and corporate headquarters. The report singles out the City’s capacity to collect revenue and offer ratepayers good value for the rates and taxes they contribute.

attributed to its embracing of the City’s Go Jozi Healthy Lifestyle programme initiated by Executive Mayor Mpho Parks Tau.

Job opportunities for the youth will also go a long way in tackling the causes of crime. “By making resources available and creating employment we will help to keep idle youngsters away from criminal activities,” he says.

T he conquering gogos of the Jabavu Top Ten FC swept away all competition in the 2015 Soweto Old Ladies Soccer League and winning the knock-out tournament.

Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance, Mr. Geoffery Makhubo.

The feisty ladies were celebrated at a lavish party in Rockville where they were presented with two trophies and several medals. The team founder and matron, Cllr Zodwa Nxumalo, says the success can be

In the Loop – 9


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.