In The Loop-October 2017 by CITY OF JOHANNESBURG JOBURG

Internal Newsletter

In the Loop Issue No.

October 2016

What’s inside:

Joburg’s wheels keep turning in Transport Month

Contents

Arts, Sports & Culture

Message from the Executive Mayor

Have clean fun in our parks, MMC urges

“If Johannesburg works… South Africa works”

City clinics join war against breast cancer

Mayor’s action plan to take City forward

City charts new routes of engagement

City will get moving during Transport Monthason

An early bird… that keeps on humming

Accessible public transport is vision of new MMC

Passion for their work shared by model civil servants

Transport Month inspires many ways to travel

Magic of compound interest makes your money grow

Joburg in pictures

Focus on social services for poor residents Top things to do in Jozi for under R200 City of Gold turns 130 Jozi gets more youth on the MOOV to digital learning

Meet Elise, JMPD’s golden girl

Joburg in line for top global green award

Comedy stars line up to stir Joburg audiences

2016 Employee Games

City initiates plan to curb land invasions

Acknowledgements

Cover Credits

Editor: Thomas Thale - thomasth@joburg.org.za

October is Transport Month and attention shifts to the ways in which Joburg residents move. New MMC for Transport, Nonhlanhla Helen Makhuba, has committed the City to deliver on an integrated transport system that is accessible to residents and contributes to the growth of the regional economy.

Contributor: Luyanda Lunika - luyandal@joburg.org.za Lesego Ngobeni - lesegong@joburg.org.za Mongadi Mafata - OupaMa@joburg.org.za Kabelo Maseng - KabeloMa@joburg.org.za Photography: Enoch Lehung - enochl@joburg.org.za Lesego Montsho - LesegoMon@joburg.org.za Leon Kinnear - 1ljkinnear@gmail.com

Scores of City employees flexed their muscles, tweaked their biceps and stretched their hamstrings before battling for supremacy in cricket, bowling, chess, cycling, darts, tennis, soccer, volleyball, shooting, golf, pool and other board games as part of the 2016 Employee Games at Marks Park Sports Club in Emmarentia, Region B, recently. All the top athletes will be included in the CoJ team that will fly Jozi’s flag at the OR Tambo Inter-Municipality Games on 23 October in Ekurhuleni.

October 2016

In the Loop – 23

Message from the Executive Mayor

Arts, Sports & Culture

Contents

Message from the Executive Mayor network is unable to effectively cope with an increasing demand of mobility from its population.

Chester Missing & Konrad Koch.

Tats Nkonzo.

Celeste Ntuli.

People living in informal settlements in this City, are faced with a myriad of challenges such as unemployment, lack of basic service delivery as well as difficulty in accessing economic markets and job opportunities.

Donovan Golliath.

Comedy stars line up to stir Joburg audiences

This administration believes that the extent to which people are able to use the opportunities available is dependent on how easily they are able to move around their towns and city.

• Stand Up Africa Six comedians from six different African countries celebrating the very best in stand up. Hosted by Tumi Morake.

Apartheid left Johannesburg specifically and South Africa generally, with a fragmented spatial framework that institutionalised salient aspects of race-based disadvantage.

• League of Nations This show knows no boundaries featuring six international acts on the same stage. Hosted by Joey Rasdien. • Fire in the Hole This show is not for the faint hearted or sensitive souls. There is fire in the hole and no prisoners will be taken! Hosted by John Vlismas. Joey Rasdien.

• Vernac Attack Featuring some of the best local performers delivering their routines in their mother tongues. Hosted by Tips Shampoonaiza. • Live from Constitutional Hill Trailblazing female talent bring their best routines to one of Johannesburg’s most iconic venues – the old Women’s Jail at Constitutional Hill. Hosted by Celeste Ntuli. • Downtown Comedy Jam Six of the hottest urban artists will set the streets of the inner city on fire with their blazing acts. Hosted by Donovan Goliath. • Comedy for Change This line up of socially conscious comedians shed light on issues affecting society today. Hosted by Konrad Koch & Chester Missing.

Tumi Morake.

hey are funny. They are irreverent. They are rude. They are off the wall. And in the coming days they will slaughter many sacred cows in Braamfontein and Newtown to the delight – and shock – of local audiences. The Johannesburg International Comedy Festival returns to the City in the first week of November bringing together over 50 top acts performing in 13 shows across six venues. Some of the country’s best known stand-up artists will be joined by comedic talent from the rest of Africa and abroad to offer locals a multi-sensory comedy experience. The first Festival hosted in 2015 was a major hit among Joburgers and the organisers are confident that this year’s shows will again draw large crowds to the performances – and to other entertainment and leisure venues in the inner city. “Our aim is to create a comedy festival in the truest sense,” says the event’s founder and director, Takunda Bimha. “This is a platform for artists to display their talents and for audiences to enjoy stand-up comedy as a unique art form.

22 – October 2016

• Late Nite Show Each evening performance ends with a selection of the best performances, supported by a live jazz band on stage. Hosted by Tats Nkonzo. More information is available on the Joburg Theatre website http://www.joburgtheatre.com/ and tickets can also be purchased through Ticketpro. Follow activities at #DeclareTheFunny.

Nataniël on the Roodepoort stage

A transport system to get Joburg working Colleagues, A special focus is placed on transport in the month of October. The City of Joburg is an extremely competitive space and the mobility of people, goods and information is important. Public transport is a crucial component of Joburg’s economy and a powerful tool to transform the lives of its residents. The rate of urbanisation as well as the high traffic congestion on our roads suggests that the City’s transport

adoptive parking, bike-sharing, and walking paths will be promoted. The DA-led City of Joburg will focus strongly on encouraging the use of public transport. More people using public transport will reduce infrastructure costs, save fuel, ease urban congestion and reduce pollution. It will ensure a safe, reliable and affordable public transport system, which is critical to reducing the number of vehicles on the roads. Public transport must be prioritised over private transport-with a particular focus on developing an integrated, multi-modal network in which different modes of public transport fulfils an appropriate role.

I want Johannesburg to be a city that empowers young entrepreneurs so they are given every opportunity to succeed.

All transport modes should complement as opposed to compete with each other so that a seamless system, with integrated ticketing, evolves. Measures will soon be introduced in the City to provide passengers with a single ‘Smart’ ticket, which allows them to access all modes of public transport.

A city that creates an environment where poor people are afforded the opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty and make a success of themselves.

There are a number of exciting activities planned by the City for transport month such as City of Joburg drivers appreciation day scheduled for the 8 October.

A simplified and integrated plan would get the City working again. This will ensure that the poor have easy access to quality public transport.

I plan on conveying a word of appreciation to our public transport drivers for their commitment to providing good service to commuters in Joburg as well as encourage them to continue improving it.

When individuals cannot move around freely and easily, their access to economic opportunities is compromised.

Our vision for a healthy and social city includes steering citizens away from cars to social and efficient methods of transport. We’ll model what other forward-looking cities are doing. Bus Rapid Transit, congestion charging,

Herman Mashaba Executive Mayor

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

Nataniël is one of South Africa most enduring artists with nation-wide audiences following his stage performances and culinary shows on TV. For the past 25 years Nataniël has kept audiences spellbound with his simplistic stage craft, astounding vocal abilities and one-of-a-kind humour. He is the only South African artist with 15 CDs, 15 books and more than 60 stage productions on his resume. On 3 and 4 November this outstanding entertainer will be live on stage at the Roodepoort Theatre with his 2016 production of Nataniël in Concert.

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In the Loop – 3

Arts, Sports & Culture

Good Governance

Meet Elise, JMPD’s golden girl

The mother of two, Vernon (22) and 20-year-old Cindy has been running since high school, going on to represent her region at the SA Athletics Championships. “The only time I stopped running was when I was pregnant with my babies. But I do about 10-13km four times a week, come rain or shine after work,” says Elise, who has been employed at the JMPD for the past 26 years. Instead of rushing off to catch the next episode of “7de Laan” and “Isidingo”, JMPD’s “superwoman” Elise laces up her tekkies and pounds the streets of Florida, Roodepoort, where she’s bringing up her children with hubby Tinus. After a run, she returns home to prepare supper and do other household chores.

Australian High Commissioner Adam McCarthy and a delegation from his embassy were among the first envoys to meet Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba to be informed about the priorities of the new administration.

Elise has completed two Comrades Marathons and a single Two Oceans but prefers shorter distances. She will be competing at the OR Tambo InterMunicipality Games in Ekurhuleni on October 23, where she’s expected to return with another gold medal in the 5km race.

“If Johannesburg works… South Africa works”

Everyone at the CoJ will be rooting for the City’s golden girl.

ohannesburg’s new Executive Mayor has committed his administration “to work tirelessly to bring about the change desired by the people of the City”. The people of Johannesburg have spoken during the recent local government elections. They want to see real change and bold steps to move Johannesburg forward again. “Because if Johannesburg works, South Africa works,” says Mayor Herman Mashaba. Delivering his inaugural speech as the newly elected Mayor, Cllr Mashaba said Joburg residents have chosen a diverse group of parties to lead them, but on one thing their voice was clear… change must come to Johannesburg. “The time for campaigning and politicking is over. We face great challenges that no party can confront on its own. Now is the time for all of us to roll up our sleeves and get working together.”

Number one priority is jobs He singled out job creation as “the number one priority” of the new DA-led administration in the city. The biggest challenge facing the City is the soaring unemployment confronting more than 800 000 of its people. Almost one in three residents is without work and the youth are the biggest casualties.

“Together we will bring change to our City of Johannesburg.

4 – October 2016

“Christ is the love of my life. I run all my events on His strength. I cannot take the credit for myself. I have to praise and worship Him for my talent,” says Elise.

The primary role of local government is to create an enabling environment for businesses to establish themselves, flourish and create permanent jobs. Small business development will be a primary focus area of his term of office because of its ability to create jobs and unlock the potential of people. His administration has set itself a target to achieve a 5% economic growth rate, “because if we do not achieve this, unemployment will remain high and the youth will still be out of school and out of jobs at the end of this term”.

Residents deserve quality service delivery Mayor Mashaba says one of his top priorities is to professionalise the public service by hiring the very best to run a City that attracts investment and creates jobs “Our residents deserve a City which serves them with the highest standards delivered by a civil service that is dedicated, proud and understands that under this administration the bosses are not the politicians but rather the residents of Johannesburg.” He called on councillors and residents to set aside political differences and work together with a shared vision to improve the lives of residents. Johannesburg is the cultural, political and economic heartbeat of South Africa and it is vital for the City to experience the change required to move forward again.

“Together we will bring change that creates job, delivers better services and fights corruption.

“Together we will make this a city of golden opportunities.”

“ run because I don’t want to get old,” says Elise Fortune, who is the Johannesburg Metro Police Department’s golden girl. For the past 10 years, Elise has been scooping gold at the National Metro Games and it was no different at the recent event in Turffontein, where the JMPD battled it out with its counterparts from Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and eThekwini for top honours. The annual week-long games included cycling, darts, golf, netball, volleyball, soccer, pool, shooting and running. Fortune took the top spot in the running category, which covered 10km. “It required me to have endurance and I sacrificed a lot of time so I could train adequately for the tournament,” says Fortune, who is a Procurement Officer at the JMPD. “I am glad to have won this category. For me, it was not just a simple run. I drew my inspiration from many people. So it was important for me to earn the gold medal. “One person I look up to is Caster Semenya. She overcame every hurdle on her way to win a gold medal for South Africa at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. She has achieved a lot at international level. I am happy to represent all the women in the City of Johannesburg, especially those in the law enforcement fraternity,” says Fortune.

In the Loop – 21

Good Governance

Joburg in Pictures 1

dynamic Ten Point Plan “to kick start Joburg’s revival” was recently announced by Executive Mayor, Cllr Herman Mashaba. The plan of action is the product of a comprehensive process of discussions between the incoming political leadership and senior officials in the administration and reflects the Mayor’s priorities. 1. A recognition by all of the political arrangements imposed by the electorate and the need for all city structures to move forward with speed.

2. Joburg must be a responsive and pro-poor government.

6. The inner city must be revived to bring people and business back into Joburg’s urban core.

7. The official housing waiting list will be completed and signed off by the Mayor within 90 days.

8. A report will be produced within 60 days on the number of completed houses built by the City – but not yet allocated or handed over to beneficiaries.

9. The City will fast-track the handing over of title deeds – to ordinary residents, churches and businesses.

3. Plans and policies must be aligned to enable the City to achieve a 5% economic growth rate. Johannesburg must be the engine of the country’s economic growth and an example of how government and the business sector can work together to achieve growth.

Extended hours for the delivery of health services to residents will be investigated as a priority through a pilot project at an existing clinic.

4. A professional public service must be created that will serve Joburg residents with pride.

5. Corruption is “public enemy number 1” in Johannesburg.

Mayor’s action

plan to take City forward Johannesburg’s new Mayoral Committee with Executive Mayor, Herman Mashaba, Speaker of Council, Cllr Vasco da Gama and Chief Whip, Cllr Kevin Wax.

1. Executive Mayor, Herman Mashaba and First Lady, Connie Mashaba at the Joy of Jazz. 2. Local songstress, Judith Sephuma and US saxophonist, Geral Albright were among the headline acts of Joy of Jazz. 3. Chief Operating Officer, Gerald Dumas, and music promotor, Peter Tladi, attended the opening night of the Jazz Festival. 4. Among the guests at the Land Rover Polo Tournament were: Tourism executive, Lumka Dlomo, actor and TV presenter, Maps Maponyane and businesswoman, Johanna Makgalemele... 5. ... business executive, Lungile Molefe and Wenzokuhle Msibi... 6. ... Springbok rugby star, Siya Kolisi and Olympic sprinter, Akani Simbine..

2016 – September2016 2020 – September

On the Inner City…

On infrastructure…

The City will facilitate the revamping of empty and hijacked buildings by the private sector, provide low-cost housing and affordable commercial spaces for small business and ensure that Pikitup works double shifts to address the issue of filthy environments.

City entities will implement plans to protect power sub-stations from cable theft that leave business and residents sitting in the dark. A longterm security project will ensure power infrastructure will become less attractive targets for criminals.

On transport… Transport plays a critical role in economic growth. The City will ensure that Joburg has well-functioning roads, storm water and public transport so that people and goods can move quickly.

On the upgrading of informal settlements… The DA-led administration will “work tirelessly to provide decent services and help lift people out of poverty.” City Power has prioritised the electrification of the City – including a fast-track programme in Zandspruit.

On housing… The City will ensure that “thousands of title deeds are given to people so that they have the dignity of a proper home which can be passed on to their children.”

Inthe theLoop Loop –– 55 In

Employee News

Transport

City will get moving during Transport Month

Magic of compound interest makes your money grow

ride on the Gautrain for senior citizens, an “Amazing Race” through the streets of Joburg for executives and street clean-ups and makeovers are among the top activities taking place in the City during Transport Month.

Transport MMC, Nonhlanhla Helen Makhuba, says the activities are designed to create greater awareness of the important role that roads and transport play in the economy of the City. Most of the events will be fun and enjoyment – but the underlying message is for citizens to respect the City’s road infrastructure and to switch away from private car usage to public transport.

Get on your bike! Students at the University of Johannesburg will be encouraged to take up cycling and to make use of the existing cycling infrastructure that is already in place linking the campus with Wits and into Braamfontein. (3 to 7 October).

Appreciate the drivers Some 100 drivers in the public transport sector will be recognised for their safety records, driving skills and excellent service. This is a joint initiative between the City, private bus companies and the taxi sector. (8 October).

Extreme makeover Residents in Region D will join officials of the Johannesburg Roads Agency to convert a street into a valued community asset. The activities will include the cleaning of the street and kerbs, the repainting of road signs, the removal of illegal advertising and unsightly stickers from signs and road furniture and the scrubbing of graffiti. (14 October).

Talking to commuters The JRA will conduct awareness campaigns at shopping malls in each of the City’s regions. The objective is to promote the activities of the Infrastructure Protection Unit which acts against vandalism and cable theft that cause traffic disruptions and power outages. This is also an opportunity for residents to give feedback to the City on transport issues within their communities such as potholes or service failures. (15 to 20 October).

Ride for Freedom Cycling enthusiasts will get another opportunity to participate in a Freedom Ride through the streets of Region A, starting at River 6 – October 2016

Sands. This is a leisure event that regularly attracts up to 5 000 riders of all ages. Money raised through the Rides is donated to bicycle empowerment centres that distribute bicycles to low-income communities and train mechanics. (16 October).

ompound interest is almost like magic. It makes rands multiply before your eyes. This amazing phenomenon occurs when the interest on a sum of money attracts interest itself – earning interest on interest.

Dimakatso and Kagiso’s combined contributions are equal the total contributed by George. The magic of compound interest is best illustrated by the comparison of Dimakatso and Kagiso’s saving experience.

It is a lot like putting self-raising flour and seeing the dough increase in size. Even the world’s cleverest person, Albert Einstein, said “compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it earns it and he who doesn’t pays it”.

Despite Dimakatso contributing R1 200 000 less than Kagiso (R600 000 as opposed to R1 800 000), over a much shorter space of time (10 years as opposed to 30 years), her retirement savings are larger than Kagiso’s, at age 65.

For compound interest to work, you need to reinvest the interest and patience to watch your money grow like dough for dumplings.

“Amazing Race” – Jozi style The Kasi-to-Kasi Adventure takes teams on a treasure hunt through the streets of the City. Participants can only use public transport to follow clues that lead them to some of the city’s most popular tourism and leisure destinations. (21 October)

R60 000 each year between the ages 25 and 35 . In total she invests R600 000 over 10 years . Dimakatso invests

The example illustrates the power of compound interest and the importance of saving for retirement sooner, rather than later. As long as interest rates don’t fall, the amount you receive in interest grows each year you keep your money in the bank. The same principle works when you invest in shares or unit trusts, where annual returns are, on average, higher than they are at the bank. With compounded returns, the money your investments earn one year will earn money for you in following years — as long as you reinvest it.

Be safe on the road Road safety days will be hosted on selected roads to encourage communities to be safety conscious and respectful of all road users. Sporting and social activities will take place on roads that are mostly only used by motorised transport. (22 & 29 October).

Get on board Rea Vaya Members of the Mayoral Committee will visit the Rea Vaya depot in Braamfontein to observe the operations of the Bus Rapid Transit system and be briefed on its future operational plans. (25 October)

The ride of their lives

R60 000 each year between the ages 25 and 65 . In total, he invests R2 400 000 over a period of 40 years .

Kagiso also invests

George invests

R60 000

each year, but does so between

35 and 65. In total, he invests R1 800 000 over a period of 30 years .

the ages

To illustrate the magic of compound interest, below are interesting examples:

Senior citizens from White City will be hosted by MMC Makhuba on a bus ride to Park Station where they will board the Gautrain. The event will showcase the advantages of an integrated public transport network in the City. (26 October). In the Loop – 19

Service Delivery

Employee News

edication and a passion for their work are the vital qualities that have made Edisa Khosa and Timothy Netsianda two of City Parks and Zoo’s most outstanding employees of the past year. Netsianda, a zookeeper at the Johannesburg Zoo has been named as the Employee of the Year at the city-owned entity tasked with environmental upkeep and animal conservation, while Khosa is the overall winner of the Citizen’s Award. “I definitely enjoy my job – caring for reptiles, fish, frogs and spiders – and wake up each day with enthusiasm. I often work overtime without any compensation,” says Netsianda. He has been credited with curating the Animals of the Amazon permanent exhibition, which is one of the Zoo’s most successful and popular projects to date. “I championed the selection of animals and worked very long, stressful hours,” he says. He is currently enrolled for a BSc Honours Degree in Environmental Management and spends most of his down time interacting with animals – his second family – but also finds time to watch soccer and rugby, shopping and studying. His personal ambition is to be selected for a Master’s degree in Environmental Management. Netsianda been with the Zoo for a little over twenty years and enjoys all aspects of his work, from caring for the animals, managing the ecosystem and interacting with zoo visitors. “I love engaging with visitors, assisting them and answering their questions – we want them to keep coming back to the Zoo,” he says.

Born and bred in Soweto MMC Makhuba has a thorough understanding of transport issues facing local residents through her long career as a community activist and organiser. After matriculating from the Nghunghunyane High School she worked as a pension and provident fund administrator while studying in financial and credit management at Damelin College.

Passion for their work shared by

civil servants

model

Vital support to grieving families Khosa started working as a general worker at the Westpark Cemetery in 1984 and has since occupied several positions at Johannesburg City Parks. She is currently the administration clerk at the Westpark Cemetery and was chosen by an external panel of adjudicators as the winner of 2015’s Citizen Award. “You need to have empathy and sympathy in this job because you deal with people in mourning. My job is to listen to them, to assist them and to ensure that when they walk out, they are satisfied with JCPZ’s service,” she says. Apart from registering and allocating graves for burials, Khosa also deals with undertakers and families and helps in searches to locate grave numbers. “We use a manual system with names written in big books, dating back to 1942. People often enquire about the death of a loved one without proper information. It can be quite a mission to find the grave but when you do, the families’ joy makes the search worthwhile.”

Looking after the departed – Edisa Khosa at the grave of young Aids activist, Nkosi Johnson, at the Westpark Cemetery.

18 – October 2016

She joined the Inkatha Freedom Party at a young age and rose through the ranks to the stage where she is currently the national deputy chairperson of the IFP’s Women Brigade. She was first elected to Parliament in 2009 where she served on the social development and home affairs portfolio committees and as alternate on the committees for trade and industry and health.

Zookeeper and friends – Timothy Netsianda has a special knack to work with reptiles and crawling species.

Khosa is four years shy of her retirement, but says it’ll be hard to “leave my home and my people”. She says when retired she looks forward to turning her hobby, baking and cooking into a fully-fledged catering business. “And also to exercise,” she says.

Accessible public transport is vision of new MMC

The single mother of one – and proud grandmother – says she has no intention of moving out of Soweto and is relishing the challenge to serve the people of Joburg through her leadership in the Transport portfolio.

There are certain challenges at specific sections of Rea Vaya that need to be addressed such as ticketing offices that are not always operational or bus stations that are too cramped – but these are issues that can be overcome to make the system more accessible.

ohannesburg deserves a transport system that is accessible and affordable for all its citizens and can support the growth of the City’s economy. “I am really looking forward to work with everybody within the transport sector, and to listen to the views and needs of commuters so that we can develop this workable system,” says the new member of the Mayoral Committee for Transport, Nonhlanhla Helen Makhuba. Her vision is for an integrated public transport network where commuters are able to switch from Rea Vaya, to taxis, to buses and on to the Gautrain without any problems – and then to have seamless connections to the public transport systems of neighbouring metros such as Ekurhuleni and Tshwane.

MMC Makhuba says she is receiving positive feedback from commuters on the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit system and this will grow as the network extends in coming years to reach the furthest corners of the City.

She regards the taxi industry as an essential partner to the City to create a united transport network. “My passion is to establish a good relationship with the taxi industry and to explore other opportunities with them to grow their share of the transport business and contribute to the health of the broader network.” One of the issues that will be explored through a trial project would be the establishment of dedicated lanes for taxis on certain identified roads within the City,

The need to protect the City’s extensive road infrastructure is another of her priorities and MMC Makhuba supports the efforts undertaken by the Johannesburg Roads Agency to take action against cable theft and vandalism.

In the Loop – 7

Employee News

Service Delivery

Transport Month inspires many ways to travel P

ublic transport is the backbone of Joburg’s thriving economy – from Reva Vaya to Uber, to trains and minibus taxis – public transport gets the city moving. The benefits of using public transport include saving on petrol, easing traffic congestion and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. To reduce the amount of fuel burnt by private vehicles, which ultimately leads to air pollution, the City advises employees and residents to use public transport, where possible, and help fight climate change. We asked some employees who are regular commuters to tell us about their experience of public transport in the City.

Lesego Montso – Intern, Digital Communications Which mode of transport do you use?

Jacqueline Nel – Admin Officer

Faizel Kaldine – Senior Printer

Wendy Eksteen – GIS SPECIALIST

Noluthando Mazibuko – EPWP

Which mode of transport do you use?

I use buses.

Taxis and bus

Taxis

How long have you been using this transport for?

For the past 21 years

For 10 years.

11 years

How much does it cost per month?

R800

R375

For ever. How much does it cost per month? R400pm How long does it take to travel to work? One hour at most. What is the one key benefit of using public transport? It drops me off right in front of my workplace

8 – October 2016

How long does it take to travel to work?

45 minutes – 1 hour

30-45 minutes

What is the one key benefit of using public transport?

Public transportation saves money

My reason for using public transport is because I can’t afford to buy and maintain a private car.

Which mode of transport do you use? Taxis

R720 How long does it take to travel to work? 45 minutes What is the one key benefit of using public transport? I don’t really know if there are direct benefits to using taxis, but one can say they help you beat the traffic and save petrol money

I use taxis on a daily basis to travel to work and home. On occasion I use the Gautrain if I need to go to other places besides the CBD. How long have you been using this transport for? Public transport has always been, and still will be, my preferred form of transport. How much does it cost per month? In a month it costs me R360 per to travel between work and home. How long does it take to travel to work? It takes me a little less than an hour. What is the one key benefit of using public transport? When I get off the taxi it offers me an opportunity to walk. I walk a lot and I am able to track the distance I cover.

An early bird… that keeps on humming J

oburg’s longest-serving employee continues to carry on with her duties with great diligence and commitment to service… and has no intention of slowing down.

Her “early bird habits” are well known. She arrives at work at around 06h00 every day because this is a time when she can be most productive in an easy and quiet environment.

Fresh out of school the Germiston-born Ingrid Gretchen Grovè started as a shorthand typist at the City in January 1970. At the time she was one of the City’s youngest employees – so young that she could not even be registered on the Johannesburg pension fund.

When asked what keeps her motivated she responds: “I like the challenge of the portfolio that has been assigned to me.” And she thoroughly enjoys the interaction with colleagues who share her office and work space.

From here she moved to the City’s Health Department and became an invaluable cog to keep these services running as private secretary to the manager for administration. “I witnessed the Council rolling out integrated health services across the regions. I was fortunate to have been part of the initial plans surrounding these facilities and had the privilege of visiting each and every clinic and health centre across Johannesburg – during the planning phase and also recently.” In her current position as Assistant Director in the Finance Department she is responsible for the management of the municipal accounts of the City’s staff members. Her attention to detail and enjoyment of her work environment and colleagues have not diminished in the ensuing 46 years. She remains as enthusiastic about her work now as on the day she joined the city as a 16-year old. Everybody in the City knows her as “Mrs Grovè” and she ascribes her longevity to her love for her work and her “German roots.”

Motivated by challenges She has been married for 35 years and is the proud mother of a son, and a grandmother to two young men who all subscribe to her strong work ethic. To add to her work experience she studied for – and achieved – a National Diploma in secretarial management from the then Technikon Witwatersrand. Coming to work has never been a chore, she says “because each day is different with different challenges that keep me moving.” Pressed on whether she has any plans for retirement after more than four and a half decades Mrs Grovè is quick with a response: “Not really. I have been blessed with good health and enjoy the daily challenges at work.”

In the Loop – 17

Human and Social Development

Employee News

City charts

new routes

of engagement J

First point of contact for residents “Based on some of the Twitter polls done recently, residents find our Twitter handle the most useful, informative and fun account you can find. Residents call it the preferred and first point of contact before any other platform to get info or to enquire about service related issues,” says TK, who facilitated a social media session for CoJ staff at the Roodepoort Civic Centre recently.

oburg is increasingly embracing new and smart digital tools to communicate effectively with residents and a growing number of employees are getting onto the “digital bus.”

As the City turns digital, more and more of Joburg councillors can now be found on Twitter and Facebook communicating issues related to service delivery.

Although Joburg has the biggest social media presence in the government sector with a single account in South Africa and Africa as a whole, plans are at an advanced stage to get all seven regions to also activate or strengthen Twitter accounts and beef up their online presence.

Regions and entities are also showing more interest in growing the City’s social media presence on Twitter, which attracts about 800 000 fans (including Joburg Roads Agency, Joburg Water, City Power and Group Communication and Marketing account combined) a month.

“Our social media presence and tactics have caught the attention of local and international media, making headlines in several newspapers and on television news in the last few months,” says Digital Manager, Tumelo “TK” Komape. “We have the highest response rate on Twitter, sitting at 97% of queries receiving response at least within six hours over a 24/7 period ... over 70% queries get responses within six to 15 minutes. Facebook has given us blue badge status several times for our high response rate,” says TK. The City’s social media accounts are growing at a rapid rate, with our Twitter handle in particular, @CityofJoburgZA, growing at 10 000 new followers every month.

“Whenever these accounts work together, they drive some of the major trends in SA and influence the direction and content in our social media space,” says TK.

he City will use October – Social Development Month – to raise awareness about the basket of social services it offers to poor individuals and households.

Social Development Month is also used to encourage communities to identify social issues affecting them and to devise ways to deal with these.

The municipality provides much-needed social assistance to various groups in society, including disabled people, pensioners, ex-combatants, those who live in child-headed households, HIV-positive persons as well as those with a history of domestic violence, abuse and dependency on substances.

Cementing relationships

The Mayoral Committee Member for Health and Social Development Dr Mpho Phalatse says the City will focus on building partnerships with the private sector during the month.

Each year, the City sets aside millions of rands for its expanded social package (ESP) which is designed to provide social assistance subsidies to residents earning less than R3 366 a month.

“We’ll do this in a bid to improve the quality of life of our citizens as well as to create opportunities for all, particularly poor communities,” Dr Phalatse says.

Through the ESP, registered individuals or indigent households and those living in inner city flats receive electricity, water, rates, sanitation and refuse removal subsidies.

The City’s Health and Social Development department will use the month to communicate its work and highlight successes achieved, as well as cement relationships with stakeholders.

Focus on social services for poor residents

One of the participants at the Roodepoort Civic Centre, Ntombi Maseko says the training was good but feels she needs to do the Twitter thing more often to get used to it especially when one is not used to the latest technology. "It was very interesting but it would be nice to have another session. I guess what fascinated me was the fact that I can communicate anything happening in our region.”

The City’s digital marketing tactics – how we communicate content – have also been noted as creative, current and relevant, leveraging on hashtags reaching millions more than would have been the case if we had used a traditional government communication approach. The MMC for Health and Social Development, Dr Mpho Phalatse.

Residents who register for the subsidy are evaluated based on the City’s poverty index, which has three categories: • Band 1 – aimed at helping those on the borderline of poverty • Band 2 – aimed at those earning a meagre income, which falls below the survival level defined by the City’s poverty index (R2 000) and • Band 3 – aimed at the indigent with no formal income and living in destitution.

16 – October 2016

The City offers the following basket of Social Services to support people of all socio-economic backgrounds. • • • • • • • • •

City Social Package programme Access to Social Grants programme Vulnerable Households Support programme Early Childhood Development programme Women Development programme Skills Development programme Youth Development programme Street Children Opportunity programme and NGO/CBO Support programme

On registering, the applicant is evaluated using a score of 100 points; 70 points are based on a person’s income and personal circumstances and the remaining 30 points are based on geographic circumstances.

The number of South Africans benefitting from social services has increased from 2.5 million in 1993 to more than 16 million by mid-2014. The child support grant, initially introduced in 1998 with 70 000 beneficiaries, currently benefits over 11 million children.

As part of the City of Joburg’s 10 point plan, the blueprint for the current coalition administration, the municipality is committed to run a responsive and pro-poor government.

The City’s Food Resilience Unit within the Social Development Department, prepares about 15 000 meals to feed 200 children, three meals a week, every six months.

In the Loop – 9

Human and Social Development

City of Gold turns H

istorians and chroniclers differ on the exact date of the birth of Johannesburg but agree that gold was first discovered in the city 130 years ago. This event lured multitudes of fortune seekers from across the globe to the tent town that is now known as Johannesburg, South Africa’s commercial heartland.

Health

130

Marshalltown was laid out in the gold rush town, born out of the barren, sprawling Highveld. It was named after Scotsman Henry Brown Marshall who commissioned a plan to build it in September 1886. Then mapping and land surveyors of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek, Christiaan Johannes Joubert and Johannes Rissik, were sent to map the town, and history records that Johannesburg was named after their shared first names.

In less than three years after the discovery of gold, Johannesburg had become the largest town in South Africa with a population of more than 100 000. Over 630 000 ounces of gold had been mined by the end of 1889 and more than 75 000 workers were employed on the reef.

Women who access the clinics will undergo a free screening for breast cancer and will be provided with more information on how to combat the scourge.

•

“But we also urge women to do a regular self-examination, especially when they feel something abnormal in the breast. That way they will be able to nip things in the bud before serious damage occurs,” says Elionora Lebethe, Deputy Director for non-communicable diseases in the City’s Public Health. The City is also teaming up with international cosmetics company, Estee Lauder, to raise breast cancer awareness with the lighting of the Nelson Mandela Bridge pink in October. The iconic bridge was first lit pink in 2012 to highlight the importance of knowing about the disease.

Johannesburg was only promulgated as a city in 1928 and inner city streets such as Von Brandis, Rissik, Joubert, Harrison, Von Wielligh, Commissioner and many others pay homage to individuals who played a role in establishing the town.

Johannesburg will join several cities around the world in lighting landmarks pink to call attention to breast health and the early detection of the disease.

Today, Johannesburg is a concrete jungle and the world’s largest urban manmade forest. It is affectionately called Jozi, Joburg or Egoli – a bustling metropolis and South Africa’s leading centre of commerce, industry and finance.

Dr Mpho Phalatse, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development, says: “The lighting of the Nelson Mandela Bridge will serve as a reminder that the earlier breast cancer is detected and diagnosed, the better are one’s chances of beating it.

Joburg’s municipal boundaries are dotted with financial and business sectors, lifestyle and leisure retreats, retail and wholesale traders, community services, manufacturing, agriculture and construction.

The Johannesburg City Hall in Rissik Street was built in 1914 and is currently home to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.

Fast Facts

he City’s 81 clinics will open their doors in October – and an iconic landmark will turn pink – as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Rapid growth of metropolis

Life was tough for the early miners who worked Joburg’s gold deposits.

In recent years, a lot has been done to develop the city and align it with international counterparts like New York, Paris and Sao Paolo. Many socio-economic disparities are being overturned, jobs are being created, there are economic opportunities opening to all and in some areas sustainable human settlements have replaced uninhabitable shacks.

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Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women worldwide – representing one in four of all cancer cases; It is increasing particularly in developing countries, where the majority of cases are diagnosed in late stages.

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South Africa is ranked 50th on the World Cancer Research Fund’s list of countries with the highest cancer prevalence rates. The most prevalent among women are breast, cervical, uterus, colorectal and oesophageal cancers.

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Although breast cancer is primarily a women’s disease, about 1% of breast cancers occur in men.

• − − − −

Breast cancer risk factors include: Family history; One’s susceptibility to the condition; Age - the risk increases as one gets older; and Genetics - as many as 10% of cases are thought to be hereditary and lifestyle. The consumption of alcohol and obesity after menopause are linked to the increase in risk.

“We are committed to beating these statistics through education. We will continue this cancer drive within all health facilities in the City of Joburg during the month of October. “We are proud of this partnership with Estee Lauder and commend them for taking action,” says MMC Phalatse. Estee Lauder SA General Manager Loren Dreyer says calling attention to breast cancer “serves to create a dialogue around taking a conscious interest in one’s health”.

City clinics join war against breast cancer BREAST CANCER

Awareness Month 10 – October 2016

In the Loop – 15

Public Safety

Human and Social Development

Have clean fun in our parks, MMC urges

MOOV has also piqued the curiosity of Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande, postgraduate students from the University of North West and professors from Poland, who all dropped by to get the lowdown at the Orange Farm centre. Confidence to take on the world. The centre’s first graduate, Nelson Ngalo, has started his own business. He designs websites for a fee after completing the web design and online marketing courses in record time.

he newly appointed ‘Member of the Mayoral Committee for Happiness’, otherwise known as Community Development, Cllr Nonhlanhla Sifumba, is planning to be a party-pooper if Joburg residents fail to play by the rules. Now that summer has loudly announced its presence, the City is gearing up for an influx at its numerous parks as residents come together over a braai and rekindle fond memories of yesteryear, and MMC Sifumba has urged everyone to play by the book. “Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo has enlisted the help of the JMPD to ensure that residents get to enjoy the splendour of our parks in peace. Rule number one is that you can’t consume alcoholic beverages in our parks.” “Rule number two is that no loud music is allowed. If you break the rules, you will face the consequences. City officials and residents are urged to familiarise themselves with the necessary by-laws so that they do not find themselves on the wrong side of the law,” says MMC Sifumba. Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo further requests cyclists to equip their bicycles with bells and to make use of them when necessary to warn walkers or runners who may not be aware of your approach. Dog walkers are urged to keep dogs on a leash at all times and clean up dog’s poo. In some areas, runners and cyclists also use the City’s public parks, and dog owners are urged to walk to one side of the path - keeping left as a rule. Runners using earphones should be aware that they are not likely to hear cyclists approaching to pass you from behind, and make sure to keep to one side of the path. People who braai can only do so at designated areas within the parks.

“Being self-employed is tough but MOOV has given me the confidence to take on the world. What I like about MOOV is that I did not get a fish daily. I was taught to catch fish. Now I can try to stand on my own feet instead of relying on handouts,” says Ngalo.

Chapter three of the Public Open Spaces by-laws state that no person may, within a public open space:

Phase one of MOOV training entails basic web design and exposes students to the digital world and builds their confidence. Phase two gives students a basis for employability.

shoot a projectile of any nature; camp or reside; consume, brew, store or sell any alcoholic beverage;

bath, wade, or swim in or wash him- or herself, an animal or any object, including clothing, in any water body;

make, light or otherwise start a fire except in a facility provided by the Council for that purpose;

use any sound equipment, including a radio, portable hi-fi or car stereo;

play an active game, except in an area designated for that purpose on a sport playing field or on a golf course.

Jozi gets more youth on the

MOOV

Two streams are offered: Information technology (coding) and business (finance, marketing and behavioural economics), and MOOV’s flexible approach enables students to discover and develop their interests. Students who progress to Phase 3 choose from the many courses offered by the best universities in the world. The City and its partners are continuing to open the doors of learning and training to more residents of Joburg.

to digital learning A

year since the launch of the Massive Open Online Varsity (MOOV), more than 7 000 students have had the doors to learning and training opened wide in the nine centres funded and supported by the City of Joburg. Had it not been for MOOV, 26-year-old Bhekuyise Motaung could still be driving his father’s taxi in Orange Farm. His co-facilitator at the Orange Farm MOOV centre, 25-year-old Vangile Masina could still be asking her parents for internet café money to mail her CVs. The two and others in the nine MOOV centres have been spreading the online education gospel thanks to the City’s R25-million investment in the further education programme, which falls under the city’s youth skills empowerment initiative‚ Vulindlel’ eJozi. MOOV, which boasts centres in Alexandra, Jabavu, Emndeni, Westbury, Orange Farm, Johannesburg CBD, Sandton, Ivory Park and Diepsloot, gives mostly young people access to free, high quality, and open source educational material from all over the world. “Our youngest students in Orange Farm are 15-year-old Grade 9 learners who come to the centre four days a week after school and our oldest is a 65-year-old grandmother who initially wanted to learn to use a computer but now is hooked,” says Motaung.

14 – October 2016

In the Loop – 11

Public Safety

Green Economy

Joburg in line for top global green award J

The City is in line to win one of the prestigious C40 Cities Awards at a function to be hosted in Mexico City in December.

Other cities that are among the 33 finalists in the ten different categories include Cape Town, Boston, Rotterdam, Wuhan, Stockholm, Vancouver, New York and Nanjing. Each of the finalists “demonstrated exceptional innovation and ambition to build low-carbon and climate-resilient urban communities,” according to the panel.

C40 is a network of global megacities that is committed to address climate change. Johannesburg hosted the Mayors’ Summit of the organisation in 2014.

In addition to being in line for the award the City will also feature prominently in a global publication, Cities 100, which will be issued by the environmental organisation during the summit.

ohannesburg’s innovation in the fields of environmental sustainability and green energy has been recognised by a top global organisation for the 4th year in a row.

The Johannesburg Biogas-Energy Programme has been selected as a finalist in the Clean Energy category, says the Executive Director of C40 Cities, Mark Watts.

City initiates plan to curb land invasions R

esearch shows that the City of Johannesburg attracts more than 10 000 new arrivals from all over the continent and other parts of the world every month, adding to the already stretched resources.

One of the priorities is to produce, within 60 days, a report on the number of completed houses built by the city and the province but not yet allocated or handed over to beneficiaries.

The search for housing by new Joburg residents has resulted in a surge in land invasion, putting their actions on a collision course with City authorities.

This completed audit will give City officials a clearer picture of the available housing stock. Acting Executive Director for Housing Patrick Pophi says the City will ensure that no one jumped to the front of the queue during the housing allocation.

As part of a multi-pronged strategy to tackle land invasion and related issues Executive Mayor Cllr Herman Mashaba and his Mayoral Committee have adopted a 10-point plan to transform Johannesburg.

Mayor Mashaba also promised to fast-track the handover of title deeds to residents, churches and businesses so that people can have security of tenure and use property as collateral to access funding.

“We received 160 high-quality nominations from 75 cities showcasing a range of important and innovative policies and programmes that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve urban resilience to climate change,” he says. A jury panel is currently reviewing the entries from the finalists and announcements will be made at a prestigious global event hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies and Hong Kong-based green energy company, BYD. The event will coincide with the C40 Mayor’s Summit that takes plan in the Mexican capital from 30 November to 2 December.

Global initiatives with local benefits Tiaan Ehlers, the Executive Director: Environment and Infrastructure, says Johannesburg is excited to make it onto the final shortlist once again. Last year the City won in the Finance and Development category in recognition of the Green Bond which raised more than R1.5-billion to fund programmes designed to mitigate climate change. There is great international interest in Johannesburg’s biogas programme because it sets a practical example of how to address harmful emissions and combat climate change. “The programme demonstrates specific benefits to city residents and shows how a city can introduce interventions that address climate change while also serving the socio-economic needs of communities,” says Ehlers.

About Joburg’s biogas programme… To avoid the negative impact of rising electricity prices the City is implementing a project to promote biogas energy as a fuel source to generate power. The biogas-to-energy project is already in use at two of the City’s waste water treatment works – Driefontein and Northern Works – and will be rolled out to the remaining plants. During the process to treat waste water the non-biodegradable materials are extracted and subsequently disposed of at a dedicated landfill site. During the sludge digestion process, biogas is produced and fed into a biogas plant that converts it into energy.

Appeal for patience

Unlocking economic opportunities

This forms part of running a responsive and pro-poor government, but the Mayor has appealed to residents to be patient.

“Having a title deed provides one with the opportunity to better one’s life and enter the mainstream economy,” says Mayor Mashaba.

“We are dedicated to give people access to adequate housing and to restore their dignity, but all we ask is for residents to be patient with us.” “We took office a couple of weeks ago and have already started getting the ball rolling to ensure that a credible housing waiting list is compiled and signed off by myself as Executive Mayor in 90 days,” says Mayor Mashaba. He says people need to understand that there was no quick fix to housing backlogs and he also plans to speed up the handing over of title deeds in the City. More than 2 000 residents will be issued with their title deeds between now and the end of December this year.

12 – October 2016

The Johannesburg Metro Police Department’s By-laws Unit has been evicting illegal land occupiers but Mayor Mashaba says the City wishes to avoid such action “as we know the real concerns that residents face”. He says the City wants to ensure that the land is fully serviced, with roads, proper sanitation, access to water and electricity before people could live on it. “We can’t live in the city of golden opportunities while people live on top of one another and have no addresses,” said Mashaba.

In the Loop – 13