Internal Newsletter
In the Loop
CITY BUDGET SPEECH 2016
Issue No.
27 May 2016
Date: Tue, 24 MAY 2016 Time: 11:00 AM
Tune in to your local radio station to listen live www.joburg.org.za CityofJohannesburg
Joburg’s economic democracy is rising What’s inside:
@ C i t y o f J o b u r g ZA
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Contents
Arts, Sports & Culture
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Message from the Executive Mayor
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Spend a family-friendly winter in Jozi
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Investments bring inner city to life
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Honouring the “human faces” of health care
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“City rising with the tide of economic democracy” – Mayor Tau
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Healthier habits can stop ‘silent killer’ in its tracks
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State of the City Address 2016 ‘Delivering the promised future…’ Budget will steer Joburg into a promising future
Creative programme adds to senior management experience
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COJEDI-programme expanding from its strong platform
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Welcome to Jozi!
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Safety campaign to make residents fire-savvy
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Call on Joburgers to continue saving power
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“Let us meet at Bruma…”
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Offering a “home away from home” to fellow Africans
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Smart City improvements captured in Project Tlhabologo
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Better, more equal pay on the horizon for City employees
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Recycling waste starts with us
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Joburg in Pictures
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Telling Joburg’s story at ‘a living institution’
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Legacy of Pop Legend brought to life in Joburg
Acknowledgements
Cover Credits
Editor: Thomas Thale - thomasth@joburg.org.za
Johannesburg’s Executive Mayor, Cllr Mpho Parks Tau, delivered his annual State of the City Address in Turffontein on 4 May.
Contributor: Luyanda Lunika - luyandal@joburg.org.za Photography: Enoch Lehung - enochl@joburg.org.za Lesego Montsho - LesegoMon@joburg.org.za
SOCA 2016 offered citizens and stakeholders a comprehensive overview of the City’s achievements over the past five years of the Mayoral Term. “Our new economic democracy is rising,” Mayor Tau said.
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ans of the “King of Pop” will be in for a major treat when an international production of Forever Jackson – Legacy of a Legend takes to the stage of the Joburg Theatre in June. This homage to the work and legacy of Michael Jackson comes to Joburg exactly 30 years after the legendary songwriter, performer and dancer received the Grammy Award for his video album, Thriller. The production is currently being staged in London where it recently won the top prize at the UK National Tribute Awards function. The title role is performed by British-born artist and producer, Robin Parsons – one of the few Jackson imitators that had the honour of performing for the King of Pop himself.
The show with a full cast of back-up singers and dancers features electrifying choreography, stunning special effects and performance of a vast catalogue of hits spanning Jackson’s 40 year career – including Billie Jean, Bad, Thriller and Man in the Mirror. Forever Jackson will play at the Joburg Theatre from 1 to 19 June. More information is available at www.joburgtheatre.com and tickets can be purchased through 0861 670 670.
Legacy of Pop Legend brought to life in Joburg
The “Jackson Five” – Facts about the ‘King of Pop’ 1. Michael Jackson was born into a musical family in Gary, Indiana in 1958. Together with his four older brothers he started the Jackson Five and soon caught the eye of Motown record producers and musical legend, Diana Ross. 2. Jackson remains the most-successful performer of all time – with 13 Grammys, 26 American Music Awards and inductions into the Halls of Fame for songwriters, pop artists, rock-and-roll performers and dancers. 3. Estimates are that he earned about $750-million from the sale of records during his career – and a further $400-million from musical rights, endorsements and advertising. 4. His album Thriller sold more than 65-million copies world-wide and reached the number one position on the charts in America, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom in the same week in November 1982. 5. During his career he recorded 119 songs that he composed – with 14 reaching the number one position on the American charts.
May 2016
Singing 100% live, his voice replicates the distinctive tones of Jackson; his dancing mirrors the legend to the minutest detail; and his image – created through two hours of theatrical make up – is the exact replica of the legend.
The start of Winter is a time when entertainment that cater for the tastes of a variety of audiences come to the various theatre venues in Johannesburg. • Vusi and Friends is an evening of inspiration gospel music hosted by Phiri-born Vusi Gcabashe and featuring Sbu Noah, Mabongi Mabaso and Thabang Mothapo. They will be at the Soweto Theatre stage on 13 May. • Joburg’s best amateur performers will be recognised at the 2016 NEA Young Performers Award competition at the Roodepoort Theatre on 21 May. More than 1 300 performers in classical music, dance, drama and contemporary music have been selected from eisteddfods held in the City to compete in the final event. • The German Rhine Philharmonic Orchestra will perform some popular classical music pieces at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens on Sunday 22 May. This is a great opportunity for families to bring along picnic baskets to enjoy a great afternoon under the African sky.
In the Loop – 23
Message from the Executive Mayor
Arts, Sports & Culture
Contents
• An exhibition on traditional healing traces its historical context, myths and stereotypes and tries to explain why it has remained relevant in the lives of large sections of contemporary communities.
Message from the Executive Mayor We made commitments to residents to improve their lives through accelerated delivery of services and implementation of developmental programmes that they can directly participate in and benefit from. This is exactly what we have been doing as a developmental local government, living up to our aspired status of a world-class African city.
• A retrospective of the work of veteran, photographer, artist and activist, Omar Badsha is currently on display featuring his drawings, art work and photographic essays over a period of more than 50 years. MuseuMAfrica is open to the public from Tuesdays to Sundays, including on public holidays. There is ample and safe parking available and the museum is located close to a number of coffee shops, theatres and other tourist attractions in Newtown.
The Johannesburg Growth and Development Strategy (GDS) 2040 vision is a reflection of the intense focus on accelerated service delivery, together with the extensive outreach and consultation process that took place to review and finalise it.
Museums to visit in Joburg:
Telling Joburg’s story at ‘a living institution’ M
useuMAfrica is a compelling journey back into South Africa rich, diverse and often contested past. Renowned historian, writer and activist, Dr Ali Khangela Hlongwane calls it “a living institution” which brings the history of Johannesburg in all its facets and complexities to life through magnificent permanent and contemporary exhibitions. As Deputy Director: Museums and Galleries Hlongwane is also former Chief Curator of MuseuMAfrica which is located at the Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown. Established in 1933 the Museum has gained new relevance since the democratic transition in 1994. It is home to one of the most diverse collections of material culture dating back to pre-colonial times, chronicling the cultures, systems and lives of communities who have been living in South and southern Africa over centuries. For cultural historians, researchers and curators the more than 850 000 objects on display and in the store rooms offer rich material for research and scientific analysis. The permanent exhibitions attract visitors – young and old – who want to get a greater appreciation about the history of the region during often turbulent times.
• Johannesburg Arts Gallery – the largest gallery in Africa recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. Located in Joubert Park it houses more than 9 000 artefacts, paintings, sculptures, prints and lacework. • Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum in Orlando West, Soweto commemorates the role of youth and communities in the struggle against apartheid and oppression. The memorial stands close to the site where 12-year old student, Hector Pieterson, was shot during the 1976 Soweto Uprising. • The Kliptown Museum tells the vivid history of the thousands of people who contributed to the drafting of the Freedom Charter in 1955. Located at the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication it carries a collection of historic documents from South Africa’s rich struggle history including art work, photographs and media clips. • The Bensusan Museum of Photography is named after a former Mayor of Johannesburg who donated his collection of rare prints and photographic equipment to the City. Located at MuseuMAfrica in Newtown it continues to offer a venue for contemporary photographers to display their work. • The Workers’ Museum in Rahima Moosa Street chronicles the history of migrant workers who had to sell their labour in the City, especially in the gold mining industry. Permanent exhibitions are flanked by a library, meeting rooms and space for temporary collections. • The June 16 Interpretation Centre and Memorial Acre was opened in 2014 in Western Jabavu to serve as a centre of memory to document the struggle which led to South Africa’s democratic transition in 1994. • The James Hall Museum of Transport in Rosettenville offers visitors a rare glimpse into Johannesburg’s transport history, dating back more than a century. It is a treasure trove of information and displays including old trams, animal-drawn carts, bicycles and cars from bygone eras.
Delivering on our commitments
Building our city, building our future
Colleagues, As the current term of office draws to a close, it is time to reflect on the achievements of the past five years. Looking back, we were very fortunate to inherit a solid foundation of delivery laid by our predecessors. Our mandate was clear; to accelerate the implementation of our spatial and socio-economic transformation agenda for the benefit of all who live in Johannesburg.
This is, however, not a vision that will be realised overnight. Through the developmental programmes and service delivery innovations and initiatives that we have put in place, we know that we are delivering well on our commitments to Johannesburg residents. The challenges that we faced in 2011, and in some cases continue to face, were numerous. We are a vibrant and diverse city, with a population of 4.7 million people. Our City is made up of world-class infrastructure and facilities, as well as growing levels of middle and upper class residents. At the same time many households remain in poverty, with food security and inequality as ongoing challenges. In 2011 the City faced challenges around financial sustainability and resilience. Our challenge was to turn around the City’s billing system and implement high standards of prudent financial management.
Today we are a City that has received an unqualified audit opinion for the last three financial years. We have built our cash reserves significantly, and we are driving the highest capital investment programme in the country. Johannesburg has built a good reputation, both locally and globally, and we continue to be a destination of choice for business tourism, as well as for international conferences and events.
Leaders in innovation We have built innovation into all of our work, and the Green Bond continues to receive prestigious recognition as a revolutionary approach to financing and mitigation of climate change. Innovation has also enabled us to start producing electricity from sludge at one of our treatment plants while also exploring hydropower as another alternative that could significantly mitigate load shedding in Johannesburg. As the end of the 2011/16 term of office draws near, we are sure that the path towards realising our long term GDS 2040 vision remains sound. Challenges remain, particularly around the socio-economic issues that we confront on a daily basis. It is therefore important for all the work we have done to date to be continued beyond the ending term of office. This will ensure greater impact in creating access to economic and social opportunities, and certainly improve the quality of life for all who live in Johannesburg.
Cllr. Mpho Parks Tau Executive Mayor
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In recent years MuseuMAfrica has grown into “a space for critical thinking,” says Hlongwane. It is increasingly used as a venue for exhibitions of contemporary art, social history, book launches and as a platform where critical issues are being discussed and debated. With International Museum Day commemorated in May, MuseuMAfrica is an ideal place to engage with Johannesburg’s rich Past and to reflect on its Present and Future. Two special exhibitions are currently on display. 22 – May 2016
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In the Loop – 3
Joburg in Pics
Good Governance
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Investments bring inner city to life I
nvestments to the value of more than R14-billion have been attracted to the Johannesburg Inner City over the past decade.
“The City is leading the local war against drug abuse. Together with our communities we have established 28 local drug action committees, which are implementing local awareness campaigns.”
Revitalised precincts in the CBD such as Maboneng and Braamfontein are examples of the success that has been achieved in Johannesburg’s management of “the largest urban development zone tax incentive scheme in the country.”
Action against vandalism…
Delivering his annual State of the City Address in Turffontein, Executive Mayor Mpho Parks Tau said Joburg is complementing this with a better street trading management system for the inner city – “a trading sector where three of the CBD streets alone turn over in excess of ten billion rands per year.”
“We remain extremely concerned about the level of vandalism and cable theft on municipal infrastructure – particularly traffic signals and substations. This should be seen as economic sabotage because it robs citizens of access to basic services and opportunities to improve their economic status.
Commitment to slash red tape Johannesburg’s new economic democracy is rising because the billions of rand worth of purchasing power that are hidden in townships and informal settlements is creating new opportunities and growing existing businesses. Mayor Tau said the City’s new business services desk forms the frontline of its commitment to remain the leading commercial city in Africa and to slash red tape. “Our network of SMME hubs is there to make sure tens of thousands of new enterprises have the chance to open for business. The city has already supported more than 14 000 small companies through these hubs and enabled them to become part of Joburg’s rising economic democracy. “This is, by far, the largest SMME support programme in the country,” he said.
Leading the war on drugs…
Support for sports teams… “Let us celebrate the achievements of the sports teams and individuals whose performances have done our city and its residents proud. Our Golden Lions rugby team dominated the Currie Cup last year and is currently the leading South African team in Super Rugby. “Our Highveld Lions has been a dominant force in domestic cricket for many seasons and have served as a great example of how emerging talent such as Kagiso Rabada, Quinton de Kock and Themba Bavuma can be nurtured to the point where they become regular fixtures in the national side.
1. Two of Joburg’s ‘living icons’, struggle stalwart, Andrew Mlangeni and human rights lawyer, George Bizos, were awarded the Freedom of the City by Executive Mayor Parks Tau. Also present at the function were Ms Ellen Tau, the Mayor’s mom, Mr Ahmed Kathrada, Freeman of the City, First Lady, Pilisiwe Twala-Tau and Ms Tilly Michaels.
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“Our local soccer teams remain a source of pride for their millions of supporters, having won the league and various cups over the past few seasons.
“Nyaope and other drugs are consuming our youth, devastating families and wreaking havoc in our communities.
“I trust that all councillors and citizens of Johannesburg will join me in wishing our athletes well in the Rio Olympics and Paralympic games later this year.
“We are empowering our communities to confront substance abuse.
“Be assured that the world-class African City is behind you as you strive towards world-class achievements.”
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2. A six-metre statue of former President Nelson Mandela was presented to the city of Ramallah in Palestine by Mayor Parks Tau. The statue, created by local artists, has been placed at a venue called Mandela Square. 3. Present at the function to confer the Freedom of the City were Ms Sophie De Bryun, a Freeman of Johanneburg, Ms Hlengiwe Mkhize, the Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services and Council Speaker Cllr Connie Bapela. 4. Mayor Mpho Parks Tau awarded the Freedom of the City to Adv George Bizos and Mr Sello Mlangeni accepting on behalf of his father, Andrew Mlangeni. Looking on is Mr Frans Sheleng, the Protocol Officer. 5. Global tech giant, SAP, partnered with the City to train 30 unemployed graduates for international careers in the information technology sector. 6. The countdown to the 2016 Rio Olympics has started. Mayor Mpho Parks Tau hosted a ceremony to celebrate the event with the President of SA Sports Confederation,Gideon Sam and Brazil’s acting Ambassador to South Africa, Antonio Augusto Cesar. 7. MMC for Corporate and Shared Services Mally Mokoena launched an event to mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work. With her were Dr. Shaun Ramroop, the Group Head of SHELAFCM, Tshepo Makola the Executive Head of EMS, Dr Refik Bismilla, the ED for Health and Nombikayise Sithole, the Director: Safety, Health and Environment. 8. Executive Mayor Cllr Mpho Parks Tau and MMC Christine Walters with the winners of the ‘Jozi My Beginning’ Community Innovation Fund. The second
round of the competition to find great innovators has started.
4 – May 2016
In the Loop – 21
Good Governance
Employee News
Recycling waste starts with us F
or Noni Letsoela, Senior Specialist in the City of Johannesburg’s Waste Management and Regulation Department, charity begins at home. And through the dedicated efforts of her team they are changing the way City employees think about the mountains of waste they generate at the office… and influencing their recycling habits. As the co-ordinator and in-house project manager in Region F, Letsoela is determined to contribute to the drive to make the City a truly green metropolitan municipality. Although the Office Waste Recycling Project started in 2009, it was only in 2014 that Letsoela took it several notches up. Metro Centre in Braamfontein and 24 other City buildings in the Johannesburg CBD are part of the project.
Bins placed in corridors The two-bin system – one for paper and the other for cans and plastics – is gaining traction, according to Letsoela. For example, there are 300 bins in all the buildings, including the Metro Centre – in offices and the council chambers – which mean 150 recycling stations. Since last year the Office Waste Recycling Project became part of the Jozi@Work Programme and is being implemented in all offices in Region F. In June 2015, two co-operatives were appointed to collect the waste. Between them they employ 352 people – mostly women – who on a weekly basis collect the waste, sort it at their centres and sell it to third parties,” says Letsoela. “The idea is to encourage office workers to put their waste in the designated bins, strategically placed in the corridors. We want people to get up from their desks and deposit the waste in the bins.” Letsoela says although office workers are buying into the idea, more education is needed. “The response is great but we can do better because you still find paper in trash bins under the desks,” she says.
20 – May 2016
Small interventions… big results The next step is to remove all the small bins from offices of people at Traduna House to force them to get up and go to the recycling bins. “We are starting here as this is where EISD is based and we are the custodians of the Environment portfolio. We will also put up posters in lifts and other spaces to educate people about the importance of recycling and saving the environment,” says Letsoela.
“City rising with the tide of economic democracy” – Mayor Tau
Another aim is to change the reading habits of workers and to encourage them not to print out all the e-mails they receive. From this month, her department will run competitions to reward offices that collect the most waste.
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“We all have an obligation to limit the amount of waste we send to landfills because we are running out of space. This is our small intervention to save the environment,” says Letsoela.
This was the dominant theme of the State of the City Address – SOCA 2016 – delivered by Executive Mayor Cllr Mpho Parks Tau on 4 May.
• By empowering citizens as innovators Joburg is also enabling economic democracy to rise. Through Jozi@Work it is delivering on “…the promise to bootstrap local community enterprises as co-producers of municipal services.”
In a wide-ranging speech Mayor Tau reflected on the consistent and, at times, spectacular progress the City has made during his term in redesigning the spatial landscape of Joburg and creating more opportunities for citizens to access the economic ladder.
This programme has already enabled more than 1 000 cooperatives and small enterprises to become partners of the City, providing profit share and job opportunities for thousands of our residents.
To be involved, call Letsoela on 011 587 4283 or 0833993875.
ohannesburg’s new economic democracy is rising.
The City “has made a covenant with the citizens of Johannesburg” based on the Growth and Development Strategy – Joburg 2040. Five years later he can report that the covenant had delivered tangible and measurable results. • The new economic democracy is rising as the City implements spatial justice. The Corridors of Freedom is translating its vision into glass and concrete, into vibrant new living spaces in the here and now. • The new economic democracy is rising through increased access to shelter. The City has been developing quality integrated housing in areas such as Fleurhof, South Hills, Lufhereng and Malibongwe Ridge. The mega-projects at Lehae, Cosmo City and the Golden Triangle “…are easily the most ambitious mixed-income housing initiatives since the democratic transition,” Mayor Tau said.
• The new economic democracy is rising in the way in which the city uses the power of technology and innovation to enrich the quality of life of our citizens. The introduction of an Intelligence Operations Centre linked to CCTV cameras in the CBD has led to a reduction of 22% in actual incidents of crime in the inner city. Electronic patient records will reduce waiting times at clinics to an average of 10 minutes per person and improve the quality of care experienced by patients. • The continuous roll-out of basic services and strategic infrastructure also contributes to rise of economic democracy. By the end of the current term the City will have spent more than R30-billion on improving Johannesburg’s infrastructure as part of its R100-billion commitment to capital expenditure over ten years.
“Our record of delivery during the current term of office shows that we are succeeding in meeting our vision for the Johannesburg of the future,” Mayor Tau said. In the Loop – 5
Employee News
Good Governance
State of the City Address 2016
Better, more equal pay on the horizon for City employees
This follows the settlement of the illegal strike by Pikitup workers who had gone on an unprotected strike in April. The agreement was facilitated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.
Salary Progression The settlement agreement sees the City move away from the current system based only on three levels of ‘Minimum, Medium and Maximum’ to a common job evaluation system of TASK which is generally applicable to Local Government undertakings. There’s now also a common salary key scale across the city and its entities. All employees will now be placed on a salary notch on the new pay scale based on their length of service and performance.
Salary Parity To Be Achieved
Molaodi Khutsoane, Group Head of Group Corporate and Shared Services.
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t the end of May, employees at Pikitup who are on level A and B will receive salary adjustments in accordance with the Political Facilitated Agreement signed by the City, the South African Municipal Union, and the MEC for Co – Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and Cosatu Gauteng Province. The rest of the employees of the City and its entities who are on bands A and B will get their salary adjustments on 1 July. The salary increases for Pikitup employees will be backdated to 1 January 2016. The R1 000 and R750 advances paid to Pikitup salary bands A and B employees following the settlement agreements in December 2015 and April 2016 will be deducted from the backdated salary adjustments. Negotiations for levels C and D employees are underway and if an agreement is reached, the employees will be paid according to new salary scales from 1 July. Discussions on a salary progression system are also continuing and are expected to be concluded soon.
6 – May 2016
“Policy and systems will be developed to detail the performance-based aspects and set out how an employee can progress through the notches,” says Molaodi Khutsoane, Group Head of Group Corporate and Shared Services. The intention is to ensure that over time, the City achieves salary parity, meaning that there’ll be internal consistency in pay scales across the city and its entities. The pay adjustment to be received by employees is in addition to the 6% annual increment which will also be implemented on 1 July.
“Following the agreement, the city will embark on a benchmarking exercise which will include comparisons with industries in the private sector, government and other local authorities,” says Khutsoane. “A key consideration of the exercise will be what the city can afford.”
In the Loop – 19
Good Governance
Employee News
Smart City improvements captured in Project Tlhabologo P
roject Tlhabologo – this project will soon become a household name in the City of Johannesburg, where employees and the customers interact with the City through its newer, user-friendly ICT platform.
The Northern Sotho word for “improvement” signifies what the project is all about: •
improved access for customers
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improved end user satisfaction and customer experience
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improved information sharing and a reduction of silo applications in the non-SAP environment
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improvements in maintenance and support costs.
Budget will steer Joburg into a promising future had an impact on a regional economy that was heavily dependent on the mining industry for more than a century. Under the leadership of Executive Mayor Parks Tau and his Mayoral Committee the City has made critical investments in a future that will look radically different from the past. The previous Budgets delivered by MMC Makhubo were defined by major investments in the type of infrastructure that will modernise the City – high-speed broadband, rapid public transport, “smart technology” to deliver power, water and sanitation to a rapidly growing population.
Under the flag of Project Tlhabologo the modernisation of Johannesburg’s IT environment is expected to gather momentum in the months to come. The aim is to turn Johannesburg into a truly “smart city” – offering customers a single point of entry to conduct E-services. The project will replace ageing applications and contribute to the citizen-centric approach to service delivery. In addition, the City’s intranet, extranet and internet is being revamped, and will soon have a new look and feel, offering efficient functionalities and reliable services “Non-SAP applications” is made up of some 400 City applications including the City’s E-services which enables the City’s online interaction with clients in areas such as property transfers and emergency management services. Through Project Tlhabologo the City is moving towards a single data management platform.
Recognition for quality management The traditional “bricks-and-mortar” infrastructure has not been neglected. The City’s freeway network is currently receiving a major facelift, ageing water and power infrastructure is being replaced and once-decaying precincts such as Braamfontein, Newtown and Maboneng have been given new leases on life. Soweto has undergone a transformation with the capacity to attract new investment – based on the quality of the infrastructure delivered by the City. The introduction of new models of service delivery through Jozi@Work and initiatives such as Vulindlel’ eJozi are creating greater access to opportunities for residents of the City, especially the youth. The prudent management of the City’s finances by MMC Makhubo and his team has contributed to confidence in Johannesburg’s future as expressed in investments in the City’s bonds, unqualified audit reports over the past three years and stable ratings from the world’s leading agencies. The 2016/17 Budget will be watched with much anticipation because of the pending local government elections, scheduled for 3 August. As in the past, it will offer another layer of financial stability on which the future Joburg will be constructed.
Five Fast Facts: The search for a descriptive name for the “Non-SAP Application Modernisation Project” was launched earlier this year, says Patricia Mahapa, the Deputy Director of AD&SS responsible for the initiative. Employees were encouraged to come up with a name that best captures the intentions and the objectives of the project. An adjudication team selected the name Project Tlhabologo and the winner, Lesego Morake, from EPWP Finance, won a new laptop at a function where he was congratulated by Molaodi Khutsoane, the Group Executive Director of Group Corporate and Shared Services. Morake says he chose the name “because it serves the purpose of the project. The City aims high to improve the workings of its systems.”
18 – May 2016
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Mr Morake being congratulated by Molaodi Khutsoane (GED of GCSS), Richard Nene (Director – AD&SS), Patricia Mahapa (Deputy Director- Non SAP Applications) and the non SAP Application project team.
User-friendly system to speed up processes Customers will in future enjoy an improved experience of interaction with the City through a modernised ‘City Next’ platform, and applications with enhanced capabilities, says Mahapa. This will improve the speed and efficiency of service delivery and offer residents an improved ability to access their statements and settle accounts. The new platform will also bring obvious benefits for City employees who will be able to work more efficiently and deliver services faster. This will result in a reduction in backlogs, the minimisation of escalations and improved turnaround times. In addition, employees who work on the new platform will acquire proficiencies on a system that is at the leading edge
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etropolitan Budget speeches are always eagerly awaited by analysts and economists who want to evaluate the City’s financial performance – and by residents and ratepayers expecting to hear news about what they will have to pay for water, lights and property rates. The 2016/17 Budget – to be delivered by the MMC for Finance, Geoffrey Makhubo on 24 May – will be no exception. Johannesburg is the leading metro in Africa and plays a decisive role in the commercial, financial and social life of the entire continent. Since he took over this responsibility in 2011 MMC Makhubo had to navigate Joburg’s finances through the dark clouds of a global economic downturn. Rising inflation, continuing high levels of unemployment and falling commodity prices - all
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In the past five years – since the 2011 local government elections – the Johannesburg Budget has almost doubled in size – from R28.3-billion to R52.6-billion in 2015/16. The Johannesburg Budget is the largest metropolitan budget in South Africa – and larger than that of five of the country’s nine provinces.
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The Budget allocates funds to cover operational expenditure – Opex – of all department and municipal-owned entities in the City as well as capital expenditure – Capex – to fund the provision of infrastructure.
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The City is currently in the third year of a decadelong programme to invest over R100-billion in economic infrastructure.
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Increases in rates and tariffs are announced in the Budget following a comprehensive process of consultation with residents and stakeholders.
In the Loop – 7
Employee News
Smart City
The National Development Plan has identified the ICT sector as one of the critical enablers for South Africa’s future economic growth. Unemployment among youth between the ages of 15 and 34 has grown in the past decade and ICT training is seen as an important intervention to address this challenge.
Long-term benefits for communities The first group of interns were selected from applications received on online platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. They had the options to study courses in network engineering, web development or fibre engineering. At the launch of the programme the MMC for Economic Development, Cllr Ruby Mathang, said there are close links between the C.O.J.E.D.I programme and Johannesburg’s broader initiative to roll out free Wi-Fi across the City. Once the initiative is rolling the digital interns will plough back their skills and experience into communities where they will assist people in becoming technology-savvy with the ability to access digital resources.
COJEDI-programme
expanding from its strong platform
Through C.O.J.E.D.I Telecoms the City and its partners will create the young entrepreneurs of the future who are able to build and grow their own businesses in the ICT sector and, in turn, pass on their skills to an ever-growing number of people.
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t is a case of “back to the books” for senior executives in the City of Johannesburg who participate in an innovative management programme offered by the Wits Business School.
Executive skills for senior management are in high demand in South Africa and the City wants to attract the best available human resources in the country and retain them through the opportunities for growth that are available to them.
The course material is designed to offer City officials in seniorand middle-leadership positions in departments and municipalowned entities the opportunities to gain high-level exposure to modern practices in the fields of corporate governance and financial management.
The Wits Business School is one of the most respected tertiary institutions in the country and has partnered with the City to develop a curriculum and training modules that best meet the requirements of managing a major urban environment.
The first group of 30 executives and 50 middle managers has just completed an eight month study programme and the graduates will receive their academic recognition in June. Some 160 more have started a new module that will run till the end of August.
More than 500 young interns are already participating in the “COJEDI-programme” – the name given to the City of Johannesburg Educating Digital Interns Initiative. The aim is to train at least 1 000 youths to the point where they have the skills to participate in the rapidly expanding ICT environment.
Enoch Mafuyeka, the City’s Deputy Director: Employee Development, says National Treasury regulations require of senior managers in local government to have the skills that are commensurate with their responsibilities.
When he launched C.O.J.E.D.I in early 2015, Johannesburg’s Executive Mayor, Councillor Mpho Parks Tau described it as “part of the foundation phase of developing a smart city.” “We are equipping the youth to be Joburg’s innovative professionals and entrepreneurs,” Mayor Tau said.
Creating sustainable spin-offs
C.O.J.E.D.I Telecoms has already established key partnerships and projects with a number of IT and telecommunications companies in South Africa to remove barriers that prevent access to opportunities for youth employment and entrepreneurship.
Creative programme adds to senior management experience I
oburg’s ground-breaking initiative to equip unemployed young people with vital information technology skills through training is delivering promising results.
This “foundation phase” has now turned into a “growth spurt.” C.O.J.E.D.I Telecoms was established as the sustainable arm and spin-off of the training programme. The intention is to give the youth more than just training – and to create a sustainable platform for young IT graduates in the country.
City Manager, Trevor Fowler, Reggie Boqo, the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer, Gerald Dumas.
“We are equipping the youth to be Joburg’s innovative professionals and entrepreneurs…” – Mayor Mpho Parks Tau.
This is especially pertinent for executives that are accounting officers, chief financial officers and take key decisions in the fields of supply chain management and corporate governance. The City of Johannesburg can be compared to many of the top corporate giants in the country with an annual Budget of more than R52-billion and assets of about R70-billion under its control. Attracting the best skills to the City Mafuyeka says the City wants to move beyond a situation where it merely meets the legislative requirements as set by the Treasury. It offers an environment for career development and personal growth and this also reflects on the confidence that stakeholders and residents have in the quality of leadership in the City and in the standards of corporate and financial governance that are in place.
Classes are scheduled at the Parktown campus of the Wits Business Schools and the executives are also required to complete work assignments and independent study. Training programmes for officials at middle management level are offered by other educational service providers to prepare them for executive positions within the City in the future, says Mafuyeka. Curriculum for success The Financial Management Programme offered by the Wits Business School offers the following modules:
Group Dynamics
Municipal Strategic Planning
Performance Management
Corporate Governance
Stakeholder Relations
Municipal Budgeting
Management of Municipal Assets and Liabilities
Risk Management in a Municipal Context
Project Management and IT
Municipal Financial Reporting
Legislative Environment and Policy
8 – May 2016
In the Loop – 17
Economic Development
Health
Healthier habits can stop ‘silent killer’ in its tracks. I
t is often referred to as the “silent killer.” In many instances hypertension – or high blood pressure -- shows no symptoms until after it has done significant damage to the heart and arteries.
Testing for high blood pressure is a simple and painless procedure but it should form part of every patient’s visit to a clinic.
The City of Johannesburg is involved in a comprehensive campaign to create a greater awareness about the dangers associated with high blood pressure – especially to demonstrate how healthier lifestyles and changes to daily routines can lead to an improved quality of life.
Once hypertension is diagnosed the health care professionals in the City can provide easy-to-follow advice on how to reduce the blood pressure through changes in lifestyle.
Elionora Lebethe, the Deputy Director: Public Health says there are growing concerns among health care professionals about the growth in the number of deaths that can be directly attributed to hypertension. Figures from Statistics South Africa show that hypertension is among the 10 leading underlying natural cause of death in the country. This shows that the burden of hypertension in South Africa is increasing.
J
oburg’s exciting new domestic tourism campaign is achieving its goals to create greater awareness about the City’s tourism potential and encouraging residents to make visitors feel welcome.
The City has established chronic disease support groups in 84 wards and continues to step up its efforts to spread information and advice,” says Lebethe.
Johannesburg is one of Africa’s top tourism destinations and attracting a growing number of both business and leisure visitors. Conferences, conventions, sports and music events attract niche-market visitors who spend their leisure time on the streets of the city, shopping or going to entertainment.
The awareness programme on hypertension forms part of the broader campaign to promote healthier lifestyles announced by Executive Mayor, Mpho Parks Tau and stresses the values of good nutrition, exercise and wise lifestyle choices.
Compared to other global cities Joburg is one of the most affordable destinations offering value-for-money experiences in transport, accommodation, dining, nightlife and cultural attractions.
“Let us give visitors a wonderful experience of our city – including interaction with our warm and welcoming people.” “Welcome to Jozi – Make a Visitor’s Day Today!
The Welcome to Jozi campaign also encourages locals to “Make a Visitor’s Day Today!” – by going the extra mile, being helpful courteous and friendly. Nabintu Petsana, the Head of Joburg Tourism says the City had a strong presence at the Tourism Indaba 2016 in Durban which attracts travel agents and industry insiders from across the world. The City’s Events Calendar was launched at the Indaba as well as a new partnership with Union Pay, one of the world’s largest credit card companies, based in China. This will also be used as a platform to promote Joburg as a tourism destination in the growing Chinese market.
What to watch out for…
What to do…
People often don’t realise that they suffer from hypertension but the impact of the condition can contribute to other, more dramatic conditions, such as heart attacks, diabetes or strokes.
Most cases of hypertension can be managed through healthy lifestyle choices. In many cases patients do not have to be placed on expensive treatments – but they can contribute to better health by changes to their routine and lifestyle patterns.
Warning signs that you might have hypertension include:
• Chronic headaches; • Ongoing fatigue and shortness of breath; • Blurred vision and dizziness; • Nosebleeds;
“Visitors to our City make major contributions to our economy,” says Councillor Ruby Mathang the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Development. “They support local businesses and spend money which flows back into our economy through job creation and better infrastructure.”
Cllr Ruby Mathang, MMC for Economic Development.
• Consider what you eat. Stick to healthy and balanced meals with a good combination of proteins, carbohydrates, vegetables and fat. Avoid over-cooked meals which remove nutrients from the food… and cut down on the size of the portions. • Get more active. Physical activity remains one of the most effective ways to improve quality of life. Spend at least 30 minutes a day involved in jogging, walking at a brisk pace or dancing. • Cut out the smokes. Cigarette smoking immediately raises your blood pressure and the harmful chemicals in tobacco can cause your arteries to narrow, increasing the chances for heart disease.
If these symptoms persist the best advice is to visit a clinic and consult a health care professional. They will be able to prescribe treatment or give valuable advice that will definitely improve the quality of your life. 16 – May 2016
• Reduce your alcohol intake. Drinking too much can raise blood pressure to unhealthy levels. The best advice is to cut back on alcohol consumption to the point of moderation. In the Loop – 9
Service Delivery
Health
Safety campaign to make residents fire-savvy T
he Jozi Safety kit – distributed to communities during the winter period – has proven its value as an emergency intervention to reduce the number of fire incidents and fatalities in the City.
Mulaudzi says the campaign will continue throughout the winter period. “We aim to build resilient communities which are capable of dealing with emergencies and disasters at the early stages – before we as professionals arrive on the scene.
About 1 000 households in informal settlements will receive Jozi Safety Kits in June as part of a comprehensive awareness campaign to promote household safety and inform communities about the dangers attached to the use of candles and paraffin laps.
Fire incidents remain a major safety concern for the city because of their potential to spread rapidly through informal settlements and cause devastation to life and properties. These risks increase during the winter months when people spend more time indoors and make greater use of heating and lighting appliances.
a Para-Safe stove – which extinguishes itself in the event of excessive movement;
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a paraffin container with a safety cap;
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a smoke detector – which serves as an early warning system;
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a burn kit to treat minor burns;
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a latern light; and
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a 25-litre bucket which stores water that can be used to extinguish fires.
he City’s core of professional nurses represents the human face of health care delivery to a population of more than 4.5-million people.
International Nurses Day celebrated on 12 May is an opportunity for management and communities to pause and think about the contribution that nurses make to the quality of life in a city such as Johannesburg. For most of the 350 professional nurses working across the 81 clinics in Joburg it was a day of service – like any other day. Early morning arrival at the clinic. Attending to the needs of up to 170 patients a day. Offering advice, treatment and words of encouragement to visitors to the clinic or in the community. Staying at the clinic till after closing time and until no person remains in the queue. Rakosa says the City is fortunate to be able to count on the dedicated professionals working in the health care system.
Practical safety tips Many of these incidents can be prevented if people have sufficient information about the safe use of candles, paraffin stoves, and braziers – imbaula. The EMS is encouraging residents to buy stoves that are approved by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications. “We also urge Joburgers not to take imbaula inside their dwellings as they might cause potentially fatal carbon monoxide inhalation,” says Mulaudzi. The awareness campaign will also include vital practical hints about the safety aspects involved when using candles and paraffin stoves. The primary messages are to keep candles away from children and extinguish flames before going to sleep. Paraffin lamps must always be placed on a flat surface and great care must be taken to ensure that the flames are protected.
10 – May 2016
T
Quite often the first face a new born baby will see is that of a nurse who assists in the delivery process. Sadly, it also often the last face present when someone passes away after a lengthy illness, says Jabu Rakosa the Director: District Health Systems Development.
Robert Mulaudzi, the spokesperson of the Emergency Management Services (EMS), says there has been a 42% reduction in fires in informal settlements since the introduction of the Jozi Safety Kit in 2009. In the coming weeks the EMS will be visiting communities in Alexandra, Kya Sands, Diepsloot, Kliptown, Denver and Kathrada Park to spread safety messages and hand over the safety kits, which consist of: •
Honouring the “human faces” of health care
“They show a commitment beyond the call of duty and a willingness to serve in an environment where time and resources are often stretched to the limit.” Because of the quality of training, the nurses take responsibility for the bulk of health care delivery at clinics, including the examinations of patients, diagnosis and treatment; immunisation, maternal and infant health care, emergency treatment, health education, prescriptions and dispensing of medicines. Cases that require specialised treatment are referred to provincial Community Health Centres and hospitals or to the medical doctors who visit the clinics on a regular basis. Professional nurses in the City have all successfully completed four years of basic training and most of them continue with their studies while performing active duties or attend courses in specialised disciplines. The MMC for Health and Social Development, Cllr Nonceba Molwele, says she wishes all the nurses in the City another fulfilling event on 12 May as they commemorate the International Nurses Day.
Fast Facts about International Nurses Day
1 2 3
It is celebrated around the world every year on 12 May – the birthday of Florence Nightingale. Florence Nightingale is widely known as the “founder of modern nursing.” She was a tireless campaigner for the professional training of nurses and higher standards of hygiene in hospitals. During the Crimean War – 1853 to 1856 – she became known as “the Lady with the Lamp” because of her regular visits to wounded soldiers on the battlefield. To this day, the lamp she carried remains the symbol of the International Council of Nurses.
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The former maternity hospital in Hillbrow was named after Nightingale. Parts of the Hospital Hill complex have made way for the modern, new Constitution Hill.
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The theme for 2916 International Nurses Day is: Nurses: A Force for Change: Improving health systems’ resilience. In the Loop – 15
Human and Social Development
Service Delivery
Spend a family-friendly winter in Jozi F
amilies in Joburg are constantly looking for destinations to visit in the city during the winter holiday period. The mild daytime climate in the City encourages outdoor activities and many of the best-known venues cater specifically for families with children. Both residents and visitors to the City are spoilt for choice when considering where to go in the next few weeks and the Joburg Tourism website, Facebook and Twitter accounts also carry a wealth of information about special events, destinations for discerning visitors and how to get around in Jozi. In the Loop’s “Top Pics” for winter 2016 are: • In the footsteps of Struggle heroes: Hector Pieterson Memorial – in the year in which South Africans commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising this is a “must visit” destination for anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of the country’s struggle history and democratic transition. The striking memorial pays tribute to the thousands of students who marched against apartheid education in 1976 to set in motion a political and social revolution that culminated in the first democratic elections in 1994. The memorial and museum is located close to other venues of historical significance including the Mandela House. Location: Khumalo Street, Orlando West. • Walk with the animals… The Joburg Zoo remains the City’s most-visited attraction. It is a world-class facility and a perfect destination where the entire family can spend a whole day observing animals in natural surroundings. Among the rare animals that have made the Zoo famous are pygmy hippo, Western Lowland gorillas, Sumatran orangutans and endangered white and black rhinos. Special tours for children are offered on a regular basis including activities such as animal feeding, face painting and behind-the-scenes peeks at the Zoo’s operations.
Location: Jan Smuts Avenue; Contact: 646 2000 or website: www.joburgzoo.org.za for information about tours, bookings and entrance fees.
Call on Joburgers to continue saving power T
How to save energy…..
• Joburg in miniature Santarama in Rosettenville has been one of Joburg’s best-loved destinations since its opening in the early 1970s. Children find the scaled-down version of the City and other South African landmarks very attractive and recent additions of Jungle Gyms and a mini golf-course have added to its allure.
he winter months inevitably bring higher levels of electricity consumption as households and offices switch on heaters and air conditioning systems to stay warm. Shorter days – and longer nights – also lead to lights burning longer during the winter period.
Serious efforts have been made in recent months to spruce up Santarama and turn it into an attractive place for visitors and tourists. The entrance fees are used to support one of the country’s best-known charities – the SA National Tuberculosis Association – Santa.
A year ago the term “load shedding” was on everybody’s lips and work and family activities had to be organised around Eskom’s schedules to switch off power to neighbourhoods on specific times of the day.
• Utilise natural lighting whenever possible – by opening blinds to let the sun shine in and positioning work stations close to windows.
Compared to the rest of the country Johannesburg residents escaped the worst experiences associated with power cuts – especially in the later months when City Power’s system of “load limiting” became effective.
• When you are the last to leave the office – take an extra 60 seconds and walk through your department to check whether all lights are switched off for the evening.
Location: Rosettenville Road – close to Wemmer Pan. Contact number: 011 435 0543. No booking is required. • Best place for water sports Emmarentia Dam – is adjacent to the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and is a popular fishing spot where anglers come to catch mirror carp and large-mouth bass. The dam is also a popular spot for sailboard and water sport enthusiasts. Food vendors are plentiful over the weekends or visitors can pack their own picnic baskets to enjoy a great day in the outdoors and in a safe environment. Location: Olifants Road, Emmarentia. Contact number: 011 712 6600.
“However, there is no reason to be complacent,” says City Power’s Managing Director, Sicelo Xulu. “Energy conservation should become part of our daily routines – even when the concerns about load shedding have abated.”
Contact details for Joburg Tourism: www.joburgtourism.com
f
www.facebook.com/johannesburgtourism
@JoburgTourism
The rate of consumption in businesses and households can be measured accurately and advanced warnings are sent when excessive levels are being reached. The City’s programmes to install smart meters and encourage households to switch to solar heaters are also having an impact on reduced consumption.
011 342 4316
During the month of May South Africans observe Energy Month where the focus is on collective efforts citizens can take to reduce consumption and switch to energy-efficient habits in their own environments.
…. in the office
• Switch off all unnecessary lights in your work environment – especially in conference rooms, common areas, kitchens and bath rooms that are not occupied throughout the day;
• Turn-off and unplug all idle equipment such as copiers, printers, kettles and urns when they are not in use.
• Take personal responsibility for energy saving in your work place and encourage your colleagues to follow easy and practical steps.
… at home
• Take a shower instead of a bath – it will help to reduce consumption, and lower your monthly bill.
• Keep the fridge door closed – and make sure it is properly sealed. • Switch to energy efficient light bulbs – they might be slightly more expensive at first, but will last longer and result in long term savings. • Invest in proper insulation for your ceilings – it will reduce the need to use energy-sapping heaters or air conditioning. • Geysers use the most power in your home – switch them off when they are not needed because the water will remain hot for the next few hours. • Involve your family in decision-making about energy and teach practical power saving tips to children from a young age. (source: City Power/ Eskom)
14 – May 2016
In the Loop – 11
Human and Social Development
Resource Resilience
“Let us meet at Bruma…” B
ruma Lake – one of Joburg’s best-known recreational and leisure landmarks – is open to receive visitors and shoppers following a comprehensive make-over. Through the year it has become one of the city’s most popular landmarks, located at the eastern entrance to the City and in close proximity to the Gauteng freeway network. “Meet us at Bruma,” was a popular saying among Joburgers looking for an easily accessible spot to rendezvous before leaving for the nearby O R Tambo International airport.
Sanele Mayisela, Regional Coordinator and Robinson Sathekge, Head of the Migration Su-Unit are often the first ports of call for new arrivals in Joburg.
Through the years, however, severe pollution has disturbed the pristine environment resulting in a heavy build-up of sludge from discarded motor oil, washing powders, plastic bags and other litter flowing into it from the Jukskei River. Timely intervention to halt pollution
Nature took its course
The lake turned into a polluted eyesore and the stench rising up from its water drove away visitors and customers who frequented the flea markets in the neighbourhood during weekends. Bruma became a source of frustration for many small business owners and residents living close to its banks.
The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Environment and Infrastructure, Cllr Matshidiso Mfikoe, says the City took a far-sighted decision to let nature take its course to restore the surroundings to their natural order.
Serious concerns were raised about the long-term impacts on the eco-system of the area and the health of residents.
The project has fully restored the river’s flow while the plants along the vegetated banks contribute to natural processes of aeration and water filtration.
The Johannesburg Development Agency stepped in and, in mid-2014, started with a R65-million programme to renew the lake and upgrade the surrounding environment. The first step was to drain the lake and to allow the silt bed to dry out completely. The Jukskei River was diverted from the centre of the lake to allow for the construction of a new channel.
During the second phase of the rehabilitation further landscaping will be done and sections of the Lake will be converted into a recreational park. The well-known pedestrian bridge – first built in the 1980s – will be restored to its original condition.
A major milestone was reached in December 2014 when the channel was completed and the Jukskei – Joburg’s premier river system – was again allowed to flow unimpeded through the newly completed water way.
The City is confident that a rehabilitated Bruma Lake will attract leisure visitors and contribute to the economic regeneration of the precinct centered on a state-of-the-art park. Bruma is well-located in close proximity to the emerging “Chinatown” developments in neighbouring Cyrildene.
Offering a “home away from home” to fellow Africans W
hen you enter the neat offices of the Migrants Help Desk in downtown Joburg your eyes are immediately drawn to the colourful posters on the wall. A huge map of the world dominates the one side. On another there are depictions of the flags of many African nations – Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Mozambique… Then there is the one poster that simply proclaims – “Home Away from Home... in da City of Joburg.” For newly-arrived migrants who come to the “City of Opportunity” in search of economic – and sometimes, political – freedom the message is a welcoming one. Jozi is no stranger to various cultures and is proud of its uniquely African character. Executive Mayor, Mpho Parks Tau, has emphasised time and again that the City sees diversity as a source of strength, rather than an issue that raises concerns. Outside the streets of Joburg are teeming with bustling activity. Taxis make their own ways down Bree Street. Pedestrians cross the road, seemingly oblivious of the dangerous traffic. Street traders and hawkers peddle their wares and help to negotiate you into a parking spot… and out of a “fee” for this service. Inside, the building Robinson Sathekge, the Migration Sub-Unit Head speaks passionately about the advisory services offered by the City to people arriving here from other countries. For many newcomers this is a confusing experience. They are facing new laws, new regulations and intricate administrative processes to access services, find accommodation and make a living on the streets of an ever-active City. Some of them enjoy the established support networks of religious and cultural communities. For other there is access to the Migrants Help Desks situated in each of the seven regions. Sathekge says many of the issues cannot be resolved immediately by the City. But his office can offer migrants good advice based on years of experience and access to relevant
12 – May 2016
departments such as Home Affairs, or even the embassies of their countries of origin. A Migration Advisory Committee – JMAC – meets regularly under the chairmanship of Mayor Tau to address most of the concerns that new residents of the City are faced with, to iron out bureaucratic wrinkles... and ensure that Jozi meets it promise to be “a home away from home.” Africa Day is a special celebration on the Johannesburg calendar because it reflects on the City’s position on the continent and the long history of struggle against colonialism. On 25 May 1963, the Organisation of African Unity – OAU – was formed bringing together many of the newly independent states which emerged from British, French or Belgian colonial rule. South Africa joined the 54-member body soon after the democratic transition in 1994. It was subsequently renamed, the African Union and, in 2015, Johannesburg played host for the 25th Summit of this important continental body. Sanele Mayisela, the Regional Coordinator in the inner city – Region F – says Africa Day presents a great opportunity to strengthen understanding about issues relating to migration, refugees, human rights and xenophobia. Schools across the City participate in debates, poetry and arts events where these issues are being discussed and awareness is created about Joburg’s pivotal position as a haven for migrants coming to the City from across the continent. The final event will be hosted in Region B.
In the Loop – 13