In The Loop-September 2015 by CITY OF JOHANNESBURG JOBURG

Internal Newsletter

In the Loop Issue No.

19 Sept 2015

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inside:

Change the way you move

Contents

Arts, Sports & Culture

Message from the Executive Mayor

City Briefs

Change the way you move

Shopping fever hits Joburg during 10-day Festival

Johannesburg to steer global thinking at Africities Summit

Awards to recognise shapers of the city

Go-ahead given for Blue Economy innovations Massive road construction will bring long-term Rea Vaya is the way to go for growing number of commuters

The glue that holds the JMPD together

The man behind the voice in uniform

Education opens doors to opportunity

Next steps to turn ‘Joburg into smart city’

The safest pair of hands on the wheel of a Metrobus

High-tech innovation helps JRA to work even smarter

Iconic gallery celebrates 100 years with swank

Joburg in pictures

The “King of Rock-n-Roll” is not dead!

Tracing transport in Joburg through the times

Let’s get ready to rumble…

Let’s get

ready to rumble…

t might not attract the same blanket television coverage of the Rugby World Cup. Nor will the competitors receive lucrative sponsorships similar to that of the Springboks. But the competitive spirit will be equally high, and the quest for glory as great, when cities in Gauteng meet for the annual O R Tambo Inter-municipal Games in the West Rand this month.

Acknowledgements

Cover Credits

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

The EcoMobility World Festival 2015 will point the way towards the future of urban transport. During October, streets in the Sandton CBD will be closed for regular traffic and the emphasis will be placed on walking, cycling and public transport. As an avid cyclist, Executive Mayor, Mpho Parks Tau, is setting the example.

Editor: Thomas Thale - thomasth@joburg.org.za Contributor: Luyanda Lunika - luyandal@joburg.org.za Photography: Enoch Lehung - enochl@joburg.org.za Dion Ndlovu - dionn@joburg.org.za

“It is a mini-Olympic Games,” says Mary Khalefi, the deputy chairperson of the City of Johannesburg Employees’ Sports Committee – COJESCO – in describing the competition that takes places across 24 individual and team sporting codes in the coming days. This is the 9th time the Games, which brings together employees from municipalities across Gauteng, will be hosted. Named after the struggle stalwart and former President of the ANC, Oliver Reginald Tambo, the Games has generated a proud tradition and a fierce – yet friendly – rivalry – among municipal colleagues in the province. It is organised under the auspices of the South African Local Government Association – SALGA – and enjoys the enthusiastic support of the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Cllr Mpho Parks Tau, who is also the Gauteng Provincial Chair of SALGA.

“Team Johannesburg” will be defending its title as the topperforming municipality it won at the 2014 Games held in Sedibeng. Municipalities in Gauteng take turn to host this multi-sport event. Krishna Pather, the chairperson of COJESCO, says the City’s team will be finalised after the annual Employee Games and the preparations will then start in earnest. Great care is taken to ensure that both the team, the management and the coaches are representative of all the City’s entities and departments. Soccer, road running and volleyball are the obvious marquee codes during the Games but there are also ample opportunities to compete in more cerebral activities such as chess and morabaraba. Pather says the purpose of the Games is not only to encourage high-performance sporting achievements but also to promote a culture of healthy living and regular exercise among all local government employees. “But we are also ready for fierce competition to defend our title,” says Pather. “And to provide Mayor Tau the bragging rights amongst his colleagues for yet another year.”

Through the years the Games has developed its own rivalries and traditions, including an Olympic-style march-past of teams and torch-lighting and flag-raising ceremonies.

An action-packed programme:

In the Loop

Action Cricket

Bowls

Chess

Cycling Road

Darts

Golf

Morabaraba

Ncuva

Netball

Pistol Shooting

Pool

Race Walking

Road Running

Soccer Ladies

Soccer Men

Squash

Table Tennis

Tennis

Volleyball Men

Volleyball Ladies

Volleyball Mixed In the Loop – 23

Message from the Executive Mayor

Arts, Sports & Culture

Contents L

Message from the Executive Mayor

egendary crooner Elvis Presley makes a remarkable return to life on the stage for three weeks in October when the Joburg Theatre hosts the internationally acclaimed ballet performance of Private Presley.

the almost 4 billion people who live in cities across the globe. Transport and mobility are two of the biggest challenges facing our cities. How do we design and deliver transport systems and networks to move people wthout placing a greater burden on their income and adding to the pressures on our natural resources as well as the dangers associated with climate change?

Bovim Ballet, a South African company will perform a tribute to the music legend using the original recording of some of his greatest songs such as Love me Tender, Jailhouse Rock, Hound Dog and Blue Suede Shoes. Audiences can look forward to a night of nostalgic memories as timeless classics come to life on the stage through immaculately choreographed dances.

See what some of the critics have written: • • •

“The show is a hit… gripping performance…” – City Press. “A treat for a King…” – the Cape Times. “Technically perfect and artistically delightful…” Fanbase Magazine.

Private Presley is on at the Joburg Theatre from 9-25 October and tickets are available at Computicket. Cover your ears! The country’s rudest puppet is making his way to Joburg with the firm intention to insult and upset celebrities - but keep his devoted followers in stitches.

The “King of Rock-n-Roll” is not dead! Chester Missing, and his even cheekier side-kick, the ventriloquist, Conrad Koch, will be at the Fringe Stage in the Johannesburg Theatre from 20 October. The intrepid interviewer of politicians and newsmakers will answer some of the country’s most searching questions: Who are we? Where are we going? Why is there a white guy keeping him in a suitcase? Will Chester stay missing? Bookings can be made at Computicket but there is PG13 restriction for audiences who want to be insulted by the puppet. Struggle for human rights recounted Duma Khumalo is an unsung hero of the South African liberation struggle. He was one of the Sharpeville Six, arrested after a protest march in September 1984 turned violent. The case made international legal history because Khumalo and his colleagues were convicted and sentenced

22 – In the Loop

to death under the so-called “common purpose doctrine.” The sentences were later commuted and Khumalo and his five colleagues were released in 1991 during the negotiation process that led to South Africa’s democratic transition. He later worked with Amnesty International and was a founder of the Khulumani Support Group for apartheid victims. As a human rights activist, Khumalo attended the hearings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the late-1990. The harrowing accounts of victims and their families were collected and turned into a powerful stage production. The Story I am About to Tell is staged at the Soweto Theatre from 24 September to 4 October. Directed by Monageng Motshabi and with dialogue provided by Soweto-born performance poet, Lesego Rampolokeng. This production is one of the theatrical highlights of the year in 2015.

Joburg showcases its sustainability drive for future generations Colleagues, The City of Johannesburg is set to showcase its efforts to transform itself into a resilient and sustainable metropolitan when it hosts two international events in the next two months. The EcoMobility World Festival in October and the 7th Africities Summit, which starts in November 2015, will have a lasting impact on decisions that affect the future of

The EcoMobility World Festival to be hosted in the Sandton central business district in a bid to decongest the area, and subsequently the whole city, will open a window view into an alternative future. A future where public streets are made accessible to all road users. A future in which residents choose to walk, cycle and use public transport, rather than drive their private vehicles at all times. By decongesting Sandton and converting the streets of this important commercial hub into an eco-mobile environment, we will demonstrate Johannesburg's commitment and capacity to take a leadership role on issues that will continue to dominate the global agenda. All Johannesburg citizens and each one of the city's employees can make a contribution in your own individual way to boost the Festival's success. The temporary closure of streets and the diversion of traffic will, inevitably, lead to some discomfort. But this can be overcome by making use of the public transport alternatives - such as the Rea Vaya, Metrobus and the park-and-ride facilities provided by the city.

This is the time to change the way you move, swap your car keys for bicycle helmets, catch a taxi or hop on to a bus. This is the time for Johannesburg residents, even visitors in the city, to come and walk the streets in a part of our city that is usually congested by teeming traffic. The Festival is another step towards the long-term transformation of Johannesburg. Parts of the new public transport infrastructure that has been undertaken in the city will remain in place after the Festival has passed. The roll-out of Rea Vaya and other initiatives designed to transform the spatial landscape of the city to create a more cohesive and integrated society will continue unabated. I encourage all city residents, particularly the City of Johannesburg employees to help shape the future of the metropolitan through your participation in the public dialogues and imbizos during the Festival, and to continue the conversations on the various social media platforms. Most importantly, you are also called upon to become an EcoMobility champion by changing the way you move. This way, your demonstrated effort to transform our city will find expression in conversations during the upcoming 7th Africities Summit shortly after the Festival.

Cllr. Mpho Parks Tau Executive Mayor

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In the Loop – 3

Arts, Sports & Culture

Green Economy

Iconic gallery celebrates 100 years with swank O

ne of Johannesburg’s most iconic landmarks – the Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG) building in Joubert Park – celebrates its centenary this year and several exhibitions have been lined up to mark this milestone. Located on the corner of King George and Klein streets, the purpose-built structure was designed by architectural genius Sir Edwin Lutyens, a contemporary of Sir Herbert Baker, one of South Africa’s best-known architects of the time.

The EcoMobility World Festival will promote cycling, walking and public transport.

Change the way you move T

he future of urban transport has arrived in Johannesburg. For 31 days in October, sections of the Sandton CBD will be decongested and preference be given to public transport, walking and cycling. The EcoMobility World Festival 2015 is a global event that attracts activists, thought-leaders and decision-makers to Johannesburg to discuss issues that are vital to future decisions on transport, mobility, access and sustainability. The first Festival, held in Suwon, South Korea, in 2013 drew more than 600 delegates from 40 countries. But it is also a Festival to be enjoyed by visitors and residents of Johannesburg alike. For City employees and the people of Jozi, this is a not-to-be-missed event.

Step 1 Put on your walking shoes and swap your car keys for a bicycle helmet. Take the bold decision to venture into Sandton during October and experience a car-free urban environment.

Antoinette Murdoch, Head of JAG, says the main centenary celebration would be held on November 10. The gallery will, as a build-up to the event, stage a series of exciting exhibitions. “This centenary celebration is not just about a one-night party; it is also an injection of energy into the space and the surrounding area.”

• Another much-anticipated exhibition consists of pieces by pre-Raphaelite artists and their contemporaries. Running under the theme “Work on Paper”, the exhibition will highlight, celebrate and interrogate JAG’s defining context – the city. Contributing artists to this ode include Sam Nhlengethwa and Norman Catherine. • African traditional work will also be on display. The exhibition is expected to show off about 20 “masterpieces” in and across all sub-collections, including the recently acquired Maritz Collection. • An exhibition that will fill the entire Meyer-Pienaar gallery will exclusively look at electronic and digital work. Featured work will include pieces by Mohau Modisakeng, Donna Kukama and William Kentridge.

Murdoch said restoration work to the building is under way, with some leaking roofs being reconstructed and the airconditioning system refurbished. The City of Johannesburg, the custodian of the art gallery, has allocated R24-million over three years to restore the building to its former glory. A book celebrating the rich history of the building, edited by Tracy Murinik, will be published during the celebrations.

Step 5: Have your say. Attend the EcoMobility Dialogues held at the IDC Convention Centre from 5 to 9 October and participate in the public Imbizos hosted by the Executive Mayor, Cllr Mpho Parks Tau. Step 6: Talk to your friends and colleagues about the Festival, be active on social media and spread the message about ecomobility, public transport and car-free city centres. Step 7: Experience Sandton from new angles. Enjoy the car-free environment, bring your friends along for a shopping trip with a difference and enjoy a light meal and a drink on streets that are usually teeming with traffic.

Step 2: Use public transport wherever possible. Park your car at a park and ride, hop on a Metrobus, board the Rea Vaya buses or take a minibus taxi to get to a destination in Sandton during the month.

Step 8: Follow the action. Watch the sports events that will take place on the streets of Sandton and Alexandra during the month, bring the kids for kart racing and road safety training and join thousands to watch the live screening of the Rugby World Cup Finals on 31 October.

Step 3: Be aware of the changes that will take place in the City. Appreciate the fact that there will be inevitable disruptions to normal traffic patterns and extend courtesy and patience to your fellow road users.

Step 9: Stay one step ahead. Download the updated information from the VayaMoja app and follow the action on the website: www.ecomobilityfestival.com and the Twitter hashtag #ecomobilityjoburg.

Step 4: Touch the future. Visit the Ecomobility Exhibition, watch the display of vehicles that have been used by humanity through the ages and take a ride on new innovations such as pedicabs, tuk-tuks and electric vehicles.

Step 10 Change the way you move. Be inspired by the World Festival to make long-term changes to your commuting habits by switching from private cars to public transport, cycling and walking.

4– In the Loop

The gallery was established in 1910 and was temporarily housed at the University of the Witwatersrand while the construction of the Lutyens Building was under way. The building was officially opened in 1915 and quickly became Johannesburg’s social and cultural hub.

• The star-studded centenary exhibition line-up will feature a large and varied range of exclusive acquisitions, including a display of the work of the country’s “new masters” such as Gerard Sekoto, George Pemba, Ernest Mancoba, Alexis Preller, Cecil Skotnes, Walter Battiss, Maggie Laubser, Dumile Feni, Gerard Bhengu and Peter Clarke.

In the Loop – 21

Africities Financial Sustainability

Employee News

Johannesburg to steer global thinking at Karabo Molepo, 16, a Grade 10 pupil at Coronationville High School, has been riding MaMbatha’s bus for the past three years. “She’s on time every day. Her bus is the most reliable and it takes us closest to school.”

Steering her way through the peak hour traffic, MaMbatha, ensures her young passengers arrive safely at their destinations

he coming Africities Summit will see Johannesburg offering leadership and direction to local governments across the continent to address the burning issues facing the world today.

Vacant urban spaces are being turned into small agricultural units that produce food for local communities, school feeding programmes and, increasingly find their way to the Joburg Market.

More than 5 000 representatives from African cities with more than 100 000 inhabitants will convene in Johannesburg from 29 November to 3 December for the 7th Africities Summit. The biennial event is organised by United Cities and Local Government in Africa (UCLG-A) – an umbrella body that unites municipalities, discusses issues of shared interest and exchanges best practices on how to address the issues confronted by cities on the continent.

2. Migration and human trafficking The harrowing images of migrants fleeing from conflict zones in the Middle East have jolted governments and civil society into action. Earlier this year, Executive Mayor, Mpho Parks Tau attended a meeting of local government leaders with Pope Francis in the Vatican where human trafficking and modern day slavery dominated the agenda.

The delegates, representing a combined population of 350-million African citizens, will look at the host City: Johannesburg, for leadership and study the example of the City’s responses to some of the most pressing global issues of the 21st Century like:

The City’s own experience in the integration of migrant communities within the urban environment through initiatives such as the Migrant’s Desk and programmes to promote social cohesion will be under the spotlight during Africities 2015.

1. Feeding a growing population By 2030 more than half of Africa’s people will live in cities. Rapid urbanisation means that cities can no longer look towards rural areas and farms to produce food and address hunger.

The safest pair of hands on the wheel

Urban agriculture is the wave of the future and Johannesburg has launched a number of projects that can serve as practical success stories to the rest of the continent.

of a Metrobus

The City’s Food Resilience Flagship Programme has encouraged the growth of more than 200 small-scale farmers and cooperatives.

hulile Cecilia Mbatha never wants to miss a day’s work. On the rare occasions that she does, her regular passengers cannot wait for her to return so they can tell her how much they love and missed her. This is the kind of rapport that has developed between this passionate Metrobus driver and her army of passengers – learners attending school in various parts of Johannesburg. It’s a five-minute drive from her Zondi 1 home in Soweto, to the Metrobus depot in Zondi 2. When the 59-year old grandmother starts her day the road is still quiet. At that time of the morning the road is quiet; so it’s a lovely drive to work. But that is the lull before the storm. The energetic and noisy commuters start filling the double-decker Metrobus at 5.30am. She patiently waits for everyone to swipe their tags or pay cash before she hits the road. On a regular day she ferries about 500 schoolchildren on Route 551 from Soweto to other parts of Joburg. It’s a labour of love for Mbatha. The two-hour trip – which can be slightly longer depending on traffic jams, accidents and other unforeseen circumstances – winds through the townships, with Mbatha carefully steering the huge bus.

20 – In the Loop

3. Tackling climate change and environmental decay Africities will be followed immediately by COP 21 – the UN Climate Change Conference held in Paris in December. The decisions taken in Johannesburg will have a direct impact on the discussions between nations in Paris to reach a universal agreement on climate and set realistic targets to slow down global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Johannesburg’s innovations in this field – such as the retrofitting of buildings with energy-saving devices, the switch to renewable energy sources and the introduction of public transport that run on eco-friendly fuel – will point other African cities towards long-term sustainability.

“I love this job. I love these children even more. It is my responsibility to get them from home to school and back safely and on time. I provide an essential customer care service as a driver, an ad hoc counsellor and a mentor for these kids,” she says. Born in Jabavu, Mbatha has been a Metrobus driver for the past 10 years. She got her bus driver’s licence in 1987 while working for Putco, and was hired as a driver by Metrobus in 2005. She starts the second leg of her shift – the journey back home – at 15h00. It is noisy inside as the children talk on their way back from school, but Mbatha takes it in her stride. After all, this is her home – a mobile home – away from home. She knows most of the children by name. Her passengers feel safe in her company. As she steers the bus through the narrow streets of Protea North, Chiawelo and Mapetla to the final destination in Zondi, one by one the children thank her politely as they get off. One plants a kiss on her cheek. “Have a great evening, mama. I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow,” one of the girls says. In the Loop – 5

Employee News

Blue Economy

attend classes run at his place of work twice a week and, in December 2014, the proud father of two graduated with three distinctions. With this qualification behind his name Ramela was transferred to the CRUM Service Delivery Unit where he now works as an inspector in Ward 80. In this position he is at the frontline of visible service delivery in the City. Complaints about issues such as blockages and leaking pipes, illegal dumping of rubble and uncollected refuse are logged on to the computer and his responsibility is to follow up on the issues and ensure they are resolved. AET has given him a new lease on life. It also inspired his 18-year old son who is enrolled at the University of Johannesburg. “At age 46 I went back to school. This is proof that education has no expiry date. It has worked for me,” says Ramela. Bread baked with fruit trimmings instead of flour will soon be available in Joburg.

Go-ahead given for Blue Economy innovations he implementation of Blue Economy programmes is getting closer to reality with detailed projects, timeframes and expected outcomes falling into place.

decision by the Mayoral Committee means that the practical implementation of the Blue Economy projects will start within the current financial year.

The Mayoral Committee has given the go-ahead for the implementation of projects that will put Johannesburg at the forefront of innovations that can transform service delivery, create jobs and promote entrepreneurship among residents.

Blue Economy is described as a model that will shift society from scarcity to abundance with what is locally available. In the Blue Economy there are no waste products. Materials are continuously reused through a “closed loop” process which turns them into new products, new components and new materials.

A number of projects with high-potential for success have been investigated and feasibility studies conducted. The

Programme

Local entrepreneurs will install low-flush toilets and water-saving urinals as a standard feature in Joburg homes, offices and businesses. In-pipe turbines within the water network will generate power and be made available to households and industry. Organic waste will be diverted to bio-digesters to harvest gas for fuel and energy. Tonnes of rubble from illegal dumpsites will be converted into stone paper that can be used for eco-friendly packaging, containers and shopping bags.

“Receiving a matric certificate after 27 years brought me so much joy and self-esteem, says Mokhine. “I have the City to thank for that. Determination, perseverance and hard work kept me going and I am now motivated to fight even harder to complete a degree.

“I didn’t write my final matric exams because of illness. Soon after I recovered I got a job and never went back to complete high school,” she says. Mvunyiswa spent seven years at the Institute of Internal Auditors in Bedfordview before joining the City in 2012. One of her seniors saw a potential in her and encouraged her to go back to school, which she did in February 2013. Studies open new horisons: The Adult Education and Training programme has created opportunities for City employees to advance their careers.

Elusive matric finally in the bag Semakaleng Ellen Mokhine has been an activist for most of her adult life. During that time she travelled the world as a leader in the NGO and trade union environments. “Community work is what I know best,” says Mokhine who was a runner-up for the Sowetan Woman of the Year Award in 1990. . “Growing up, people thought I was a social worker because of all the work I did in my community. They were surprised when I told them that I didn’t even have matric,” she says.

6 – In the Loop

With this qualification as background she entered the University of Johannesburg to study for a Higher Certificate in Community Development with the intention to complete a full a degree that will qualify her to further pursue her passion to work within communities.

The Office of the Speaker is at the nerve centre of the Council’s business. Administrator Ruth Khuthala Mvunyiswa knows how hectic life can be. She juggles this schedule with her studies at the Regenesys Business School in Sandton, where she is studying towards a BA-degree in Business Administration.

The Joburg bread will use fruit trimmings to replace flour and create a healthier and more affordable alternative. This programme will help to address food insecurity which affects 1.4-million people in Johannesburg. Micro mushroom farms will turn a nutritious product into viable businesses for thousands of community-based enterprises.

Her daughter, a student at the University of Pretoria, encouraged her to go back to school and she enrolled for her matric studies with the City of Johannesburg Employee Relations and Development in 2013.

“It is never too late to study,” says busy achiever

Delivering his State of the City Address in May, Executive Mayor, Councillor Mpho Parks Tau said the intention of the blue economy is “to use smart innovation to solve complex problems.”

After failing matric in 1987, she was frustrated. She devoted her full attention to her work as a secretary in the Development Planning and Facilitation department but the yearning to complete her high school studies remained.

She enrolled in the City’s Matric programme where she passed all six subjects despite meeting the demands of her heavy work schedule. This year she enrolled at Regenesys and is determined to graduate in 2017. “I attend classes twice a month. Sometimes I regret all the time I wasted in the past but now is the time to rectify that. When you are young you don’t realise what you have until it’s gone. But it’s never too late and when you put your mind to it you can achieve anything. She credits the City and the AET programme with the opportunity to complete her schooling and her aim is now to achieve an MBA. “When you have to juggle studies with duties at work you don’t have much of a social life,” says Mvunyiswa.

“But, my message is that nothing beats education.” In the Loop – 19

Transport

Employee News

AET

Doreen Zimbizi

learners progress at their own pace through the various courses on offer and exams are written when they are ready and confident to participate. The 180 current AET learners attend classes at the following institutions:

Tladi Skills Centre Lenasia Corobricks Centre

Pimville Centre; Thuso House Midrand Centre Lives turned around: Sam Noko Ramela and Ellen Mokhine have benefited from the AET programmes offered by the City.

AET

“I feel proud of my achievement. I feel empowered and my success is, hopefully, going to inspire others to follow in my footsteps. There are a lot of women who are general workers in the City who must be encouraged to take up AET. Don’t be shy or embarrassed,” says Mosikili. She describes the AET programme as “a great opportunity” that has empowered her with the ability to achieve her dream. “My new goal is to enrol for further studies at the University of South Africa (Unisa) before I turn 50,” she says.

“I want to be a Regional Director one day.” 18 – In the Loop

He is one of more than 40 000 Johannesburg residents who use the BRT system daily.

Shabi parks his car and stops briefly to hand over the car keys to Andrew. Both men know the drill – it is a relationship of trust. Shabi knows that by the time he returns from work in the evening, his car will be squeaky clean. But right now he is in a rush to catch the next bus before the queues get longer.

Andrew says between 80 and 100 cars park here daily. Some motorists are very friendly, others just ignore the car guards and don’t want to pay for parking.

“I save more than R1 000 on fuel a month. I have no stress of driving in heavy traffic during peak hour, and the service

“The commute is brief and the service is efficient and very reliable. Parking in town is R20 a day; here it’s R30 a week. Here our cars are safe, thanks to the car guards,” he says.

“We only expect R6 a day for parking. On a good day I make R70,” says Clifford. Andrew makes more because he doubles up as a car washer. He washes between 10 and 14 cars a day – at between R20 and R30 a wash. Fridays are particularly busy. As a regular commuter on Rea Vaya Shabi has only praise for the system. He also appeals to the City of Joburg to erect car ports to protect the cars against the sun and hail, a sentiment shared by Sibongile, who works at Chancellor House. “The park-and-ride facility is great for the environment and my pocket because I save R2 000 on fuel a month,” she says.

Rea Vaya is the way to go for growing number of commuters

It was also the time when she heard the news that she has graduated – with three distinctions – from the Adult Education and Training programme.

Her daughter, who is at university, supported her during her studies but she also singles out the Regional Director, Abigail Ndlovu, Human Resources Manager, Miranda Smit, and her tutors for their encouragement.

The parking lot is almost full. Young men and women hurriedly lock their cars, quickly exchange pleasantries with 60-year-old car guard, Clifford, and his twenty-something colleague, Andrew, before running across a section of Chris Hani Road to catch a Rea Vaya bus to work in the Johannesburg CBD.

Shabi has been using the bus rapid transit system for the past three years. He drives a short distance from his Protea Glen home, parks the car in the parking lot, hops onto the bus and alights in the CBD a few metres from his office at Standard Bank 30 minutes later.

Important switch leads to upward trend in career

For the 46-year old Mosikili, it was a crowning achievement in a long quest to gain knowledge and improve her skills through education and hard work. “I was determined not to spend the rest of my working career as a cleaner,” she says.

is efficient, safe and affordable,” he says as he walks briskly towards the waiting bus.

More than 10 buses have come and gone in my first 15 to 20 minutes at the station.

These are the stories of some of the inspiring colleagues who benefited from the AET programme:

October 2014 holds very special memories for Mpoetseng Paulina Mosikili. This was the month that she started her duties as a switchboard operator at the City’s Region A offices in Midrand – the same place where she has been employed as a cleaner since 1996.

pull up in the parking lot of Rea Vaya’s Thokoza Park Station in Rockville, Soweto, just before 6.45am.

Education “has no expiry date”

am Noko Ramela wears a wide smile these days. At 52, he feels an equal among his colleagues and he has the City of Johannesburg and the AET programme to thank for his new-found confidence and job satisfaction. Ramela is a supervisor in Region A’s Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) division in Midrand. He joined the City as a general worker in the Engineering Department in 1997. When services were centralised he was hired as a driver and later promoted to the position of messenger. Five years ago he enrolled for the City’s AET programme. “I saw opportunities come and go. I had experience but no education,” he says. He grabbed the opportunities to

In the Loop – 7

Employee News

Smart City

CityNext Next steps to turn

‘Joburg into smart city’

On the path to success: Sam Noko Ramela, Mpoetseng Paulina Mosikili, Ruth Khuthala Mvunyiswa and Ellen Mokhine

he modernisation of the City of Johannesburg’s ICT environment is gathering speed with the design of a new user-friendly platform currently at an advanced stage. “We are moving closer to the goal of turning Johannesburg into a truly ‘smart city’, providing our customers with a single point-of-entry to conduct e-services and our departments with an improved ability to deliver quality services,” says the Acting Group Head of IT, Tumelo Kganane. CityNext is the name of the platform that will enable Johannesburg to expand on its online services and work more efficiently. The new system will replace ageing technology and contribute to the City’s citizen-centric approach to service delivery. An important current focus area is the modernisation of the “non-SAP applications environment.” This involves the City’s online interaction with clients in areas such as billing, revenue, property transfers and emergency management services. Improved customer experience Customers will be able to access all e-services from one, user-friendly, point of access. CityNext offers customers an

8 – In the Loop

improved experience through a user-friendly platform and a new look and feel,” says Kganane. This will improve the speed and efficiency of service delivery with an improved ability to access statements and settle accounts. Benefits to employees The department has concluded a series of “discovery workshops” with entities to determine their needs and expectations of the ICT modernisation. This also includes analyses of the business interactions between the City and its customers to indicate what is required of the single platform. The next phase is the design and building of the CityNext platform that will serve as the blueprint for the future. This will be taken back to departments to match their expectations with the ability of the system to deliver, followed by a testing stage. Kganane says CityNext will improve the quality of customer interaction but also bring major benefits to employees who will have access to a single system with all data being updated in real time across all departments and entities.

Education opens doors to opportunity A

dult education has the power to turn lives around.

It opens the doors of opportunity to people who have been denied the chances in the past. It creates empowered individuals who are equipped with the skills and knowledge to participate in a challenging work environment. It inspires others to also take the first steps towards knowledge and self-improvement. Adult Education and Training (AET) is a programme within the City of Johannesburg that empowers employees with the

essential skills that enable them to grow as individuals and contribute better to society and the work environment. Coordinated by Group Human Capital Management, the programme is designed for previously-disadvantaged adults who had little access to educational opportunities before and did not complete their high school training. The AET programme offers individuals knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that help to kick-start a journey of future learning.

In the Loop – 17

Smart City

Employee News

The man behind

the voice in uniform

ou have heard him on the radio a million times and you have seen him on TV many more times than you care to remember. Wayne Minnaar is one of the most quoted and widelyinterviewed officials in the City of Johannesburg officials. But what is less known is that the Chief Superintendent and Spokesman of the JMPD has served the City for a stunning 34 years. He joined the City as a foot patrol officer in 1981 as a 21-year old whose yearning to wear a uniform brought him to the service. With his unbridled determination and dedication to the job, it did not take long before he started rising through the ranks, becoming the first black officer to be appointed a patrol driver in 1982; first black freeway patroller in 1983; first black dog handler; first duty officer/inspector; first black freeway patroller; assistant superintendent in 1992 and head of both scholar patrol and school driver education a few years later. He has held the positions of Chief Superintendent and Chief Spokesperson since 2001. “It has been a long and winding road,” says Minnaar as he reflects on his colourful and eventful career. He is not showing any signs of slowing down, and if he could wind back the clock the 55-year old grandfather would make the same career choice. Minnaar abhors bribery and corruption deeply but contends that “it takes two to tango” – the corrupter and the corruptee. “The law must be decisive when dealing with such crimes,” says Minnaar. And does he have any plans for the future? “My wish is to serve the people of Johannesburg in the public safety sphere for another 34 years,” he says.

High-tech innovation helps JRA to

work even smarter

The assets are divided into the following categories: stormwater infrastructure, roads furniture, bridges, street names and as-built drawings and document management.

“The data is now available to the JRA within the Geosemantic System and resulted in an improved ability to pick up problems in all the regions and respond quickly,” says Mpho Kau the JRA’s Acting Managing Director. “It is a critical determinant for the JRA to achieve its objectives of improving the roads infrastructure within the City. Assets captured on the Smart City Solution are searchable and updates can be tracked. The JRA created a webpage for the Smart City Solution for easy access by interested parties, allowing them to filter assets by ward, region and type. Moreover, all assets on the Smart City Solution can be visualised and their aesthetics examined.”

The JRA is the entity owned by the City of Johannesburg responsible for roads, traffic lights, bridges, storm water drains, manholes and the maintenance of road.

The database of the Agency’s assets has been comprehensively updated with geotagged labels, photographs and standardised asset categories and identifications.

Cllr Christine Walters, the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Transport, says the new innovation will result in improved service delivery to the public and better management and planning capabilities for the JRA.

“The system has sufficient storage capacity to keep complete document and visual records of infrastructure such as roads, bridges and pavements. Through the system we are now able to know what infrastructure needs attention, where to intervene, how to budget and when to introduce maintenance,” says Kau.

he Johannesburg Road Agency is now able to respond quicker and more effectively to issues relating to infrastructure following the introduction of a Smart City innovation. The Smart City Solution enables the JRA to develop a complete view of the City’s roads inventory in a modernised fashion befitting of a world class African city. Images of all JRA assets are captured on the system for effortless tracking.

The last audit of road infrastructure assets was conducted in 2007. This created difficulties in terms of management, maintenance, budgeting and planning, says MMC Walters. “It was problematic to take decisions without access to the most recent and accurate information.” This prompted the JRA to conduct a comprehensive survey to verify information and update information regarding assets. The year-long programme used field workers recruited from communities and offered employment to more than 50 people.

16 – In the Loop

A customised and web-based application has been developed for the JRA to enable easy searches and improve the capacity to retrieve information. By linking information and layering the data the smart city application enables the JRA to take informed decisions and generate relevant reports, he says. Furthermore, planned developments – including artistic impressions – will be uploaded on Smart City Solution to reassert the JRA’s position as a transparent roads agency.

In the Loop – 9

Employee News News Employee

Joburg in Pictures

Picture 1: The JRA hosted a function to celebrate Women’s Day. From the left are: Middah Spaumer (guest speaker), Karen Mills (JRA Company Secretary), Nelisiwe Maphanga (Office of the MMC for Transport), Cllr Christine Walters, the MMC for Transport, Nampusheng Sebatane (JRA), Semakaleng Mokhine (Transport), and Bertha Peters-Scheepers (Manager: Marketing & Communications at the JRA). Picture 2: Activist Sophia de Bruyn was among the guests of honour at the meeting of the multiparty Women’s Caucus, hosted by the Speaker of Council, Cllr Connie Bapela. Picture 3:

Nkhensani Makhobela and Jacqui Alexander attended the first meeting of the multiparty Women’s Caucus at Marks Park.

MMC Chris Vondo congratulates Felicity Carroll on her long service to the JMPD.

The glue that holds

the JMPD together

verybody at the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department knows her. The unwritten rule is that if you want any document, advice or anything to do with administration at the JMPD, “ask Felicity”.

Felicity Carroll, that is. The 58-year old senior secretary was among the 250 City public safety employees who were recently recognised for their long service.

Picture 4: Female councillors from all political parties received special recommendations from Speaker Connie Bapela at the launch of the Women’s Caucus at Marks Park.

She remembers the day she left Port Elizabeth to seek greener pastures in Johannesburg as if it were yesterday. The starryeyed 17-year old started out as a typist at a retail store but was soon lured with an opportunity to join the Johannesburg Traffic Department in Harrison Street.

Picture 5: City employees used Casual Day to make bold fashion statements and raise money for charities that support the disabled. At the back are Bongani Miyeni, Tsolo Tlhotlhmosang, Siphiwe Khumalo, Musheni Munhya, Derick Briel and Annie Mokgathle. In front are Lauren Jonas and Belinda Bolleurs. 5

10 – In the Loop

Through the years her enthusiasm and competence opened doors to her appointments to various positions at the JMPD. “In fact, I have done everything within the department save for going out into the streets to issue tickets. They would not

allow me. They said I was too good-natured to do it,” she says with a chuckle. As she slowly approaches retirement age, Carroll feels people with long service should not be easily dispensed with if they are willing to continue to contribute. Experience, she says, is something to be shared. Her credo is that every public safety official should treat everybody with respect. “The way you treat people goes a long way,” she says. For new recruits, her advice is: ”Adjust, fall into place and be a team player.” In the Loop – 15

Employee News

Heritage and Culture

Awards to recognise

shapers of the city

t will be a day of glitz and glamour at the Soweto Theatre when the Development Planning Employee Awards get underway in early October. The City’s inspectors, planners, urban designers, architects and GIS specialists will swap their hard hats and steel toe boots for designer suits and traditional wear at the red carpet event. Nominees will have their faces beamed on the screens mounted on the walls as they take to the stage to receive their awards. Bonginkosi Mthombeni, the 2010 SA Idols finalist will be in the house to serenade the guests.

Tracing transport

Councillor Roslynn Greeff, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Development Planning says the awards are tokens of appreciation to the department’s 394 employees for their hard work and dedication.

in Joburg through the times T

“These awards reward and recognise those individuals and teams, who have performed beyond the call of duty, for their efforts. Keeping the promises contained in the customer charter requires high-calibre staff dedicated to delivering top-qualityservices to the citizens of Johannesburg."

he horse-drawn carriage has given way for spanking new dual-fuel Metrobuses and the clanging bells of the bright red electric trams were replaced by the more muted sounds of the Rea Vaya fleet… but Johannesburg remains a city on the move.

According to MMC Greeff, the department has ample reasons to celebrate this year."The Department has experienced many positive and exciting changes including the appointments of skilled and knowledgeable planning practitioners from designated groups of the previously disadvantaged. The department has seen a huge improvement in meeting the score card deliverables over the past financial year and spending on the capital budget also improved significantly.” Yondela Silimela, Executive Director: Development Planning says the awards are part of initiatives to recognise staff and performance in the various directorates of the department. “Personnel are our most valuable asset. We deliver a service and our people, their skills, dedication and attitude are the embodiment of the service we provide". There have been various initiatives to honour and celebrate personnel in the department, but it has not hosted an awards ceremony in recent years. Silimela says the winners of the seven categories will walk away with coveted prizes.The ceremony will be a culmination of a process during which employees were asked to nominate colleagues who best represent the categories. Management then drew up a shortlist from the nominations in each directorate.

And the nominees are… Category

Nominees