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A dynamic Christian school focussing on Mathematics & Science education
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TEL: 011 492 1114 CELL: 073 209 8180 074 729 0529 Email: info@bemsselcollege.co.za Website: www.bemsselcollege.co.za Address: 17 Loveday Street, Marshallstown, JHB
2017 Registration in Progress for Grade R - 12
Est 2009
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Issue 17 - 2017 Tel : 011 024-8210 / 011 402 - 1977 Inner-City Gazette
4 - 11 May 2017 Fax: 086 609 8601 inner_gazette
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Mayor vows to reclaim stolen
buildings in the inner-city
...as the City’s administration turns around the years of neglect, incorrect priorities, decay and mismanagement in the City of Joburg Staff Reporter news@inner-city-gazette.co.za
I
t is now business “unusual” in the City of Johannesburg. In his maiden State of the City Address (SOCA) at the Metro Centre in Braamfontein on Wednesday, May 3, Johannesburg Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba painted a picture of a city that was riddled with corruption; throttled by a high rate of unemployment, especially among the youth, and hamstrung by shocking service delivery backlogs. “The sheer magnitude of the backlogs that we have inherited is staggering. But, like all enormous challenges, the only way to tackle it is to take it one step at a time.” Mayor Mashaba said at 862 000, the number of unemployed people in Johannesburg was “unacceptably high.” He said Johannesburg’s infrastructure had crumbled, revealing a R170billion 10-year unfunded gap. The Mayor said the government had to be in “tune with the people it served”. “Following what has failed will not bring change. We can no longer conduct business as usual,” he said. Outlining the City’s 10-point plan, the Executive Mayor said his administration would ensure it embraced the environment brought about by the creation of a coalition government, pursue a responsive and
Pic by: Enoch Lehung Council speaker Vasco da Gama and COJ Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba at the official opening of the Council Chamber
pro-poor agenda, seek to grow the economy by 5%, create a professional civil service, fight corruption, produce an official housing waiting list, produce a list of incomplete housing units, fast-track the distribution of title deeds, extend clinics’ operating hours and revitalise the Johannesburg inner-city. On the pro-poor agenda, the Mayor said the proposed 2017-2018 Budget would largely be used to improve the lives and living conditions of the traditionally poor and under-serviced communities – the forgotten people of Johannesburg. He vowed to reclaim stolen buildings in the inner city. “The criminals, drug lords and slumlords have messed up our city. But we are on them. They are starting to flee. We are taking back our buildings and our streets. We are going to take back those buildings, clean them, refurbish them and turn them into decent and affordable housing units for our residents,” he said. He was optimistic the City would achieve its 5% economic growth target by 2021 that he was prepared to put his job on the line. “Vote me out in 2021 if I don’t meet the target. Don’t vote for failure,” he said.