Inner City Gazette

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Est 2009

Wrapped Edition

Issue 29 - 2017 Tel : 011 024-8210 / 011 402 - 1977 Inner-City Gazette

Fax: 086 609 8601

27 July - 3 August 2017

Email : info@inner-city-gazette.co.za 23 February - 2 March 2017

inner_gazette

Website : www.inner-city-gazette.co.za

076 681 0577

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Distributed free to households, churches, schools, libraries and businesses in Bellevue East • Bellevue • Benrose • Berea • Bertrams • Braamfontein • City and Suburban • City and Sub urban Industrial • City Deep • City West • Crown Gardens • Denver • Doornfontein • Elandspark • Elcedes • Fairview • Fordsburg • Glenanda • Heriotdale • Hillbrow • Jeppestown South • Jeppestown • Johannesburg Inner City • Kensington • Lorentzville • Malvern • Marshallstown • New Doornfontein • Newtown • North Doornfontein • Rosettenville • Troyeville • Turffontein • Village Main Ext 3 and Yeoville .

Mandela Day leveraged to develop future leaders Everyone has the ability and the responsibility to change the world for the better.

To see more pics visit our facebook page

Story time for the little ones at Uthando Centre

By Moses Moyo mosesmoyo@icloud.com very year on the 18th of July, the UN asks individuals around the world to mark Nelson Mandela International Day by making a difference in their communities. Everyone has the ability and the responsibility to change the world for the better, and Mandela Day is an occasion for everyone to take action and inspire change.

By devoting 67 minutes of their time – one minute for every year of Mr. Mandela’s public service – people can make a small gesture of solidarity with humanity.

It is out of respect and support of this unique individual that Max Green, Tshikululu, Afrox and Hudaco teams were welcomed to Uthando Centre, Braamfontein for Mandela day. Tshikululu served the kids a healthy bowl of soup and bread, leaving tummies full and hearts glad. Nikki Griffiths, the Executive Fund Manager said they were honoured to have done their 67minutes in Afrika Tikkun. They experienced an overwhelming rush of emotions as they spent every bit of their time with all the beneficiaries.

Afrox came bearing story books donations. They were welcomed by our excited beneficiaries with chants of music.

After handing out the books, they also did some storytelling.

Busiswe Mashila the CSI-Administrator emphasized that giving back and help in developing the young minds is one of the things that is close to their hearts and they endeavour to do it every time not only for Mandela Day Max Green gave our beneficiaries handmade teddy bears that were knitted by a group of women called Tembalani. As we spoke with Max Green himself, he emphasised the role that Afrika Tikkun is playing in today’s South Africa, “I realise that there is a growing need to appreciate the importance of both the young and the elderly in the society – to bring hope.” This day meant a lot to them and they said they are honoured to be part of our beneficiaries’ lives and to help them to develop.

The team from Hudaco made the children’s day by donating beautiful blankets, and packaging 40 food parcels. They donated and shared the food parcels to the parents of beneficiaries who are classified as Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) under the Social Support Service Department in Afrika Tikkun. “The smile of appreciation on the faces of our beneficiaries made our day worthwhile and this is why we will not stop supporting Afrika Tikkun in their journey to develop young minds”, said Head of Human Resources, Kay Briel. David Da Silva Hudaco’s Head of Finance emphasised that their partnership with Afrika Tikkun and investment in Mandela Day is based on a desire to contribute towards the development of tomorrow’s future leaders.

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NEWS

Inner-city Gazette

27 July - 3 August 2017

City launches Inner City transformation roadmap ‘The City is conducting multidisciplinary raids within hijacked buildings in order to fight criminal slum lords.’

Herman Mashaba @Hermanmashaba

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he City of Johannesburg launched its Inner City Transformation Roadmap, a plan for tackling the housing challenge within the inner city and creating safe, clean and connected communities with access to economic opportunities within the area.

This was during the Inner City Partnership Forum, held between the Department of Development planning, city entities and various role players in the private sector.

The roadmap is a multi-department and multi-entity supported response to the challenges of urbanisation within the inner city.

There is no doubt that one of the highest challenges we face in the inner city is access to affordable housing and the increase in hijacked buildings. It is estimated that some 30 000 accommodation units are required in the short term to address the needs of the most vulnerable households within the City.

Through the Inner City Housing Implementation Plan, we are set to make the inner city housing market work better for the poor.

The plan focuses on addressing three primary objectives: • Establishing Public-Private Partnerships with developers and Social Housing Institutions; • Improving the provision of temporary emergency accommodation;

Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba, Cllr Michael Sun and Cllr Nico de Jager look on as Anne Steffny from the JHB CID forum and the Executive Director of social development Wandile Zwane sign a partnership agreement.

and • Addressing hijacked buildings within the inner city.

Public-Private Partnerships with developers and Social Housing Institutions. A number of private role players already operate within the City providing social housing. Working together with these Social Housing Institutions and private developers, the City is better able to meet the increasing demand for quality low income housing.

Already, a number of institutions have expressed their desire to partner with the City. We are in the process of

establishing a co-ordinating forum which will champion these partnerships moving forward – something which has never been done in the City before.

The City is already exploring a number of possible incentives to bring more partners on board. These include the provision of: • Capital or operating subsidies; • Rates incentives; and • Long-term leases of buildings.

Temporary Emergency Accommodation Temporary emergency accommodation is in short supply within the

city. Under previous administrations, inadequate attention to the inner city housing crisis and the lack of a management system for temporary emergency accommodation has meant the City has operated with no implementable plan for meeting the demand for emergency shelter.

To begin addressing this, JOSCHO has 2849 units in various stages of development which will be used for this purpose.

A property management system is also under development for temporary emergency accommodation in particular.

The City is also eager to partner with the private sector – developers willing to create opportunities for the development of temporary emergency accommodation.

Addressing hijacked buildings within the inner city The City is in the process of conducting an extensive audit of inner city buildings. The purpose of this audit is to identify hijacked buildings which could be converted into low cost rental stock. The first stage of this audit is being conducted in Jeppestown, with the goal of identifying 25 suitable properties for development.

Added to this, the City is conducting multidisciplinary raids within hijacked buildings in order to fight criminal slum lords who live off the desperate needs of our residents. The City is also conducting socio-economic and needs audits of those liv-

ing within those buildings in the hope of providing much needed support.

Further to this, the City is taking all possible steps to determine the identity of the true owners of hijacked building in order to begin the process of reclaiming these spaces. Where owners cannot be identified, the City will look to acquire these buildings so to utilise them for housing development.

Of course, revitalizing the inner city also requires we address safety, cleanliness and access to economic opportunities within the City. To this end, the JMPD has recruited 1500 new officers who will provide enhanced visible policing within the inner city.

The City has already allocated R50 million to Pikitup to include a third shift to clean the inner city.

In order to promote economic growth, the Department of Economic Development will promote job opportunities and investment through 12 new SME Hubs, providing new co-working space for 1200 small businesses.

The Department will also support growth through the development of priority precincts within the inner city, which will support investment in sectors such as tourism, arts and culture and housing development.

I am confident that by working together with all sectors of society, we will be able to turn the inner city into the heartbeat of the City and a place of opportunity for all our residents.

Time for Change Home receives donations

‘Alone and scared in a big city, she was on the move again, this time to no particular destination. So began the life of sex work.

Staff Reporter news@inner-city-gazette.co.za

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ife in the big city has been very unkind to Silindile Ngobese.

After being chased away from home in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal, by her stepmother at the age of 14 – shortly after her mother died – Ngobese fled to Johannesburg to seek a better life.

Instead of finding a city paved with gold, she was confronted with more misery, hardship and suffering. The distant relatives and friends she stayed sent a clear message to her that she had overstayed her welcome.

Alone and scared in a big city, she was on

the move again, this time to no particular destination. So began the life of sex work – to make a little bit of money to her head above the water – alcohol and drugs. For 16 years, her life was on a slippery slope, with each passing day looking gloomier than the one before.

Now aged 30 with three children – the fourth is on the way – she found some respite when a Good Samaritan she knows only as Sean, who took pity on her, referred her to Time for Change Community Home, a haven for homeless people at the Drill Hall in the Johannesburg inner city, about six weeks ago.

Although not really an ideal place to live in, the home – run by the City of Johannesburg and the University of Johannesburg – has given her some stability in her life and it is helping her to regain her dignity and sanity. And things are beginning to look up.

She received another pleasant surprise. Officials from the City’s Region F and representatives of the University of Johannesburg as well as of a number of faith-based organisations arrived at the centre with a bagful of clothes, food parcels, soap and blankets to donate to her, her children and other tenants in honour of the selfless deeds of the late former president Nelson Mandela, who would have turned 99 years old on Tuesday.

For Silindile, it gave her life more meaning. It gave her the

Drill Hall in Joburg Inner-City, which is home to Time for Change Community Home.

zest to live and to be there for her children. It showed her that there were, like Mandela and Barbara Hill, founder of the Time for Change Home, people who cared about those who were less fortunate than themselves.

“It’s a godsend,” was all the emotional Silindile could say as she battled to find the right words to express her gratitude.

The home takes care of 16 adults and 33 teenagers, who come from different backgrounds and from various parts of the country.

Silindile said coming to the home was not an easy decision to make. “I had become tired of the way I was living. But it was a hard decision to drop what I was doing to just up and leave.

“But I eventually decided to do it for the sake of my young and beautiful children.

I came here and was welcomed with open arms. The management of the home managed to find a school for my daughter, Nomthandazo, who is in Grade 9. I am happy to be here and grateful to the City of Johannesburg and the University of Johannesburg for making life easier for all of us here,” she said.

Hill has, however, appealed to the City to help her find Time for Change a place of its own. “There’s very little space in the Drill Hall as we share the building with other organisations. That’s why we are forced to turn away a large number of homeless individuals and street kids,” she said.

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Est 2009 Issue 29 - 2017

27 July - 3 August 2017

Tel : 011 024-8210 / 011 402 - 1977 Inner-City Gazette

Fax: 086 609 8601

Email : info@inner-city-gazette.co.za

inner_gazette

Website : www.inner-city-gazette.co.za

076 681 0577

gazette_city

Distributed free to households, churches, schools, libraries and businesses in Bellevue East • Bellevue • Benrose • Berea • Bertrams • Braamfontein • City and Suburban • City and Sub urban Industrial • City Deep • City West • Crown Gardens • Denver • Doornfontein • Elandspark • Elcedes • Fairview • Fordsburg • Glenanda • Heriotdale • Hillbrow • Jeppestown South • Jeppestown • Johannesburg Inner City • Kensington • Lorentzville • Malvern • Marshallstown • New Doornfontein • Newtown • North Doornfontein • Rosettenville • Troyeville • Turffontein • Village Main Ext 3 and Yeoville .

Municipal incentives for new building developments “This in a bid to grow the economy and create jobs.” MMC for Finance Dagada

By Moses Moyo mosesmoyo@icloud.com

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he City of Johannesburg is offering special rebates to property developers, for new building developments in earmarked areas across the City, this in a bid to grow the economy and create jobs.

City’s Spokesperson Kgamanyane Maphologela says, the City recently implemented the new 2017/2018 Property Rates Policy, in which the City encourages property developers and businesses to take full advantage of the special rebates for new building developments, which should be built along the identified areas in line with the approved Strategic Area Frameworks.

“In an effort to encourage developers to build new developments at the identified strategic areas, the City has created a special category of incentive to give developers a rebate holiday for at least three years period,” says Maphologela.

Maphologela told the Inner-City Gazette that The City intends to be pro-business and will be fast-tracking its plans to attract and assist businesses to aggressively invest in new building developments initiatives.

The City’s Spatial Development Framework defines the strategic spatial areas to be used in the City’s capital investment prioritisation model.

According to Maphologela, “This

will ensure that infrastructure investment is directed to areas with the highest potential to positively impact on development trajectory”.

For the 2017/2018 Property Rates Policy, during the construction phase, the rebates will be as follows: The property owner will pay 25% of the rate as per the category of land for a period not exceeding two years during the construction phase.

Post construction, the following rebate will apply: • The property owner will pay half the rate on the first year of operation as per the category of land • The property owner will pay full rates as per the category of property from the second year of operation onwards Maphologela says the new building developments that are set to get rebates should occur along developments such as the Transit Oriented Developments nodes (TOD) linking Soweto, through the inner city, to Sandton (along the Empire, Perth and Louis Botha Avenues) and linking Turffontein into the inner city. This will also include a focus on transitoriented development nodes, including Gautrain, Rea Vaya (BRT) The requirement for the rebates: • The detailed qualifying criteria will be provided by the Department of Development Planning in line with the approved policy

• The development must be in line with the development requirements set out by the City • The proposed development must follow all planning by-laws • The developer must apply to the Department of Development Planning for the approval of the project • Once the project is approved by the Department of Development Planning, Property Unit will process the rebate.

The application process for this rebate is as follows: The applicant must obtain the “Rebate Application Form” from the Council (e.g Walk-in Centres at Regional Offices, Land Use Management (LUM) office on the 8th Floor A Block in Metro Centre Braamfotein The applicant must compile all the required information on the specific “Rebate Application” type.

Applicant to submit the complete “Rebate Application” form to LUM REGISTRATION situated on the 8th Floor, A-Block, Metro Centre, Braamfotein The LUM REGISTRATION: will conclude the application check list, register complete application, provide the applicant with the registration number and an acknowledgement letter, circulate the application to the relevant department City Transformation: will evaluate the application based on the rele-

MMC for Finance, Cllr Dr Rabelani Dagada vant criteria and policy, then submits written comment to the Land Use Management Land Use Management: evaluate the rebate application, take into consideration the comments from City Transformation and Building Control. It will report with recommendation and conditions if applicable. The application will then be forwarded to the LUM REGISTRATION Building Control: will confirm issuing of “Occupation Certificate,” and provide written comment and a copy of the Occupation Certificate to Land Use Management if applicable

LUM REGITRATION: will forward the combined comment from (Land Use Management/City Transformation/ Building Control with recommendation to the Rates Department Rates Department: after receiving the Land Use Management comments and recommendation, will further evaluate the application taking into consideration the combined Land Use Management comments.

After this, the department will take a decision on whether the application is approved or declined.

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Inner-city Gazette

27 July - 3 August 2017

For further information Contact Boston on 011 551-2000, e-mail info@boston.co.za, visit www.boston.co.za, or Facebook.

Why Boston Is Best – make your own checklist Distribution – Free copies door to door delivery weekly to all households and businesses in the Joburg inner-city.

Inner-City Gazette welcomes editorial contributions from readers. They may raise new issues or respond to articles published in the paper.

Contributions may be sent to the editor’s address below.

Tel : 011 024 - 8210 011 023 - 7588 011 402 - 1977 Fax : 086 609 8601 Email : info@inner-city-gazette.co.za Website : www.inner-city-gazette.co.za All rights and reproduction of articles, images and other items published in this publication are reserved in terms of Section 12(7) of the Copyright Act 96 (1978) and its amendments thereof.

Inner-City Gazette subscribes to the Code of Ethics and Conduct for South

African Print and Online Media that prescribes news that is truthful, accurate, fair and balanced.

If we don’t live up to the Code, within 20 days of the date of publication of the material, please contact the Press Ombud at 011 484 3612/8, fax: 011 4843619, or website: www.presscouncil.org.za

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Inner-City Gazette

Published by:

149 Pritchard Street, Johannesburg 2000

ABC 100% AUDITED Circulation

The technology based mixed mode education at Boston has resulted in outstanding results, year after year.

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he most important career message to all South Africanlearners is to continue investing in themselves, their skills and their careers, says Kerry Damons of Boston City Campus & Business College, the awardwinning (Best College 8 years running!) private higher education institution.

“Never stop growing your skills and your career because that has a large impact on your quality of life and the quality of life of your loved ones, she reiterates. “” What are the obvious benefits of tertiary education at Boston? The result would be getting better work opportunities, and having more to offer when new opportunities arise.

The immediate benefits are just as important as they result in success in your studies. “Boston has 46 campuses on a national basis”, says Damons.

“This means you can attend a campus close to home. It means less costs in terms of not having to find alternative residence, less travel, not having to source separate food as you are still staying at home, and still being able to contribute at home”.

Damons goes on to list other benefits of studying at Boston.

“Aside from studying close to home, because there are many campuses spread out geographically, it means there are less students concentrated on one large campus and rather they are found over the various campuses.

“Therefore, there are smaller numbers of stu-

Kerry Damons

Boston Rosebank campus

dents at each campus.

“You get individual attention from training advisors as well as from admin staff. You can get problems sorted quickly – you do not have to stand in queues.

“You can address academic issues immediately – you do not have to make an appointment.

“You can even skype your lecturers in the Higher Education department – one on one friendly attention!” Damons says that the technology based mixed mode education at Boston has resulted in outstanding results, year after year.

“This proven methodology addresses imbalances in previous education, allowing faster learners to go quickly through the content, and allowing learners who require revision to move at their own pace, without disrupting others.

“In addition, Boston has since establishment placed an emphasis on career counselling, helping learners to investigate career options as well.

“We have seen through our many years of experience that if a learner

studies something that they love, and that they have an interest in, there are way more likely to succeed and to complete their course.

“We are looking for learners who will commit to finishing their qualifications and the way to ensure this is by helping them find something they want to do for many years!” says Damons.

Added to this is the value of the Boston Qualifications. Damons explains that Boston believes in external accreditation by regulating bodies and Higher Education councils.

“It is essential that when you qualify with a career that you have industry recognition and academic recognition aside from the institution you have attended, this increases your value in the employment market and gives both you and your future employers’ confidence in what you have studied.

“We believe at Boston that this should be on your campus checklist wherever you go - make sure that you are getting an accredited and recognised qualification before you com-

mit to your studies,” says Damons.

Damons goes on to discuss the sensitive issue of fees. “We realise that accessibility to education needed to be increased,” she says. “So we have made various plans to make Boston as accessible as possible.

“All textbooks are included in the fees – this means that it could save you up to R7500 each year. This is very significant. We have also put financial payment plans in place to allow learners to pay for their studies over a specified amount of time, so you do not have to pay all your fees upfront.

“All learners are encouraged to consult with their branch managers on these plans. “Boston qualifications make you work ready”, says Damons.

“This means that you require hardly any training when newly employed at a company. And clearly this means that your chances of employment increase dramatically.

“When you complete a bookkeeping course, you hit the ground running in the office, ready to tackle a set of books.

“Having the actual skills required makes you able to do the job required of you.

“All in all, we believe that you need to look at the student with a broad perspective, take all environmental and personal factors into account, career choice and industry preference,” says Damons.

This allows the student to then make the best possible selection of the best-suited qualification at the best campus.

Maboneng Photo of the week competition Maboneng The Photo of the week competition returns in August, with bigger and better prizes for grabs.

To enter the competition: 1. Take a photo in Maboneng 2. Upload it on Instagram with the #photooftheweek hashtag 3. Tag @maboneng @gazette_city 4. Share it on Facebook : Inner-City Gazette

27 July - 3 August 2017

Inner-city Gazette

440 000 children immunised

The six-week immunisation drive was aimed at children in ECDs, public and private schools, health facilities as well as at pre-identified hotspots

Staff Reporter news@inner-city-gazette.co.za

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ore than 440 000 children under five years were immunised during a six-week emergency measles vaccination campaign across Johannesburg to prevent the spread of the deadly disease.

The immunisation campaign kicked to live after 14 cases were confirmed in City of Johannesburg in March. The highly contagious disease is the leading cause of death among babies and teenagers.

Dr Mary Daka, City of Johannesburg’s Deputy Director of Public Health, says the campaign was highly successful as her department

had aimed at reaching at least 95% of the 350 000 children under five years it had targeted.

“The achievement represents 124% of our target. This is a resounding success and I’m very pleased about it,” says Dr Daka.

The City ran the campaign from May 15 to June 30 after a directive from the national Department of Health following a reported increase in the number of confirmed measles cases in Gauteng.

Lenasia, in the City of Johannesburg’s Region G, was identified as a hotspot. The campaign had initially been aimed at children under the age of five but was later extended to include those between the ages of

five to 14.

The drive covered a total of 3 728 learning institutions – 2 492 early childhood development centres (ECDs), 807 primary schools and 429 high schools.

“The six-week immunisation drive was aimed at children in ECDs, public and private schools, health facilities as well as at preidentified hotspots,” says Dr Daka.

She says measles is a highly infectious and notifiable viral disease whose symptoms include high fever, feeling unwell, coughing, runny nose and teary eyes two or three days before a rash breaks out.

“If left untreated, measles can lead to complications including blindness, pneumonia, inflammation of the brain and death,” she says.

Her team faced many challenges during the campaign. “There were delays in the delivery of campaign materials, schools were preparing for exams, there were religious issues to consider, data issues, human resources, protests action in some areas and the relatively high targets to be met,” she says.

Dr Daka adds that there were inherent adverse events following the immunisation drive. “A nine-yearold boy collapsed after the process in Yeoville, but quickly recovered after interventions. A six-year-old girl also reacted after the injection in Parkhurst but quickly recovered after management,” she says.

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Local fashion designers ‘I RUN JHB’ setting trends

I RUN JHB is a street clothing brand based in the Johannesburg CBD which was co-founded by Wandile King Leeu and Neo Gabhadiya Selemela in 2011 while they were still students at the University of Johannesburg.

I RUN JHB is a premium street culture lifestyle street wear brand that fuses South African traditional cultures, Kasi (township) street wear, African traditional aesthetics and urban street culture trends to create Umswenko.

Umswenko is an authentic South Afri-

can street sub-culture and an expression of dressing well. The name of the brand I RUN JHB was inspired by the aim to celebrate the world class African city that Johannesburg is known to be which synonymous with the go-getting, hustling and dream-chasing mentality where all ambitious beings collide and come together to attain their dreams so that when they have achieved their dreams each one can wear and proudly say I RUN JHB. For more information about I RUN JHB please like our page on Facebook I RUN JHB, follow us on Instagram IRUNJOZI, follow on Twitter @IRUNJHB and check out our blog on irunjhb. tumblr.com. Contact King 0787231082 or Neo Gabhadiya 0785616050 for further information.

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Inner-city Gazette

27 July - 3 August 2017

27 July - 3 August 2017

Financial Advice

Inner-city Gazette

5

Five ways to be credit smart

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ood money management does not only mean building up savings to meet your goals, it’s also about being able to use credit responsibly to help you achieve your goals.

Emma Mer, CEO of FNB Personal Loans says the average South African adult can relate to a situation where they require access to money to solve a specific need, and a Personal Loan is often the ideal product because of its structured repayment term and ease of accessibility.

“Whether it’s to cover a shortfall in your child’s education savings, to take care of medical and family emergencies or to top up savings for your special wedding day – we all know about significant life events where you need access to money,” Mer says.

Mer says that Personal Loans play an important part in the life of South Africans; however, she also reminds us that “every consumer has a duty to manage their Personal Loan responsibly in order to keep their finances and credit worthiness intact.” Borrowing for everyday expenses or for luxury items that aren’t a necessity is not a wise decision. It’s better to save up for such items and to manage everyday ex-

Borrow from a trusted provider

Do not over extend yourself

Choose a Personal Loan amount and repayment term that makes your installment manageable

Pay on time

Pay by debit order

penses carefully within a budget.

Mer provides the following useful tips to help you become “credit smart”: • Borrow from a trusted provider: It can be very enticing to have credit providers offering you deals but be very selective about where you borrow money. It’s safer to borrow from a bank as they are governed by strict industry rules.

• Do not over extend yourself: This is where financial discipline becomes important. Avoid the temptation to borrow more than you require as this could have a negative impact on your disposable income and your credit record if you become unable to repay.

• Choose a Personal Loan amount and repayment term that makes your installment manageable:

The term you choose to repay your Personal Loan is important as it directly impacts your monthly installment Make sure you can afford your repayments. Should you be able to pay off your Personal Loan early, FNB will not charge you any penalties.

• Pay on time: Paying your Personal Loan on time is important in order to keep a good credit record,

which determines your ability to get credit in future.

• Pay by debit order: Paying via a debit order is one of the easiest, most reliable and cost effective ways to meet your repayment obligations.

“At FNB, we encourage our customers to first apply with us. Customers who bank with us typically do not require any documentation to complete their Personal Loan application, and can access a Personal Loan quickly and easily through our various channels,” says Mer.

Waste, a cause for concern - Indaba told Staff Reporter news@inner-city-gazette.co.za

T

he City of Johannesburg would have to think out of the box if it were to deal effectively with the rapidly dwindling landfill space, a dialogue on waste management heard.

Speakers at the Waste Treatment Technology Dialogue – organised by the City’s waste management entity, Pikitup, and held at the University of Johannesburg – said there was an urgent need to move away from the “conventional way of doing things” if the waste management challenge in Johannesburg were to be adequately addressed.

The dialogue was attended by, among others, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Environment Infrastructure and Services Cllr Nico de Jager, Chairman of the Pikitup Board of Directors Bhekisisa Shongwe and Pikitup Managing Director Lungile Dhlamini. Pikitup collects about 6 000 tons of household waste a day, which accumulates to over 1.6 million tons a year. The City has been

warned that if it does not find an effective solution to the mounting waste management problem soon, it could run out of space in landfill sites in a few years’ time. Several waste management experts who spoke at the dialogue presented a number of innovations they believed could be critical in not only addressing the waste management challenge in Johannesburg, but also in generating alternative energy and create jobs in the sector.

Jason McNeil, a representative of Interwaste, said his company was, among other things, looking at commissioning a concept called Mass Burner Energy within the next three to five years that would turn solid municipal waste into alternative energy. McNeil also said his company had created 500 jobs by separating waste at source to create a substitute for coal. He said about 150 000 tons a year of waste was diverted from landfill sites because of this ground-breaking technology.

McNeil told delegates his company’s main plant in Germiston had created 1 500 jobs over four years as a result of this innovation.

Sipho Dube of Landfill Consult, who has been in waste management for over 20 years, said separation at source was critical in managing waste.

He said his company had organic waste and material removing facilities to produce organic compost.

“We have to change our attitude. It can’t be business as usual,” said Dube.

MMC De Jager said he was delighted that solutions to Pikitup’s challenges had been provided at the dialogue. “The most important thing we took out here is that we need to listen to solutions. We tend to talk down to our residents instead of listening to them. We don’t have all the solutions. The solutions come from the community. It is important,” he said.

“The other most important thing here is the fact that we have a solution to the electricity overload problem in our informal settlements. We now have a solution at a minimal cost. Not only will we supply them with energy, we can also create employment,” said Cllr De Jager.

Cllr Nico de Jager

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Inner-city Gazette

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27 July - 3 August 2017

27 July - 3 August 2017

Inner-city Gazette

7

Hamba Kahle Communicator Ronnie Mamoepa Ayanda Dlodlo

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edulous, efficient, productive, committed, diligent, industrious, assiduous, tireless. These are but a few words that describe Ronnie Mamoepa’s attitude to work and duty.

Cheerful, chirpy, contented, delectable, enraptured, exuberant, humourous, invigorating, mirthful, wacky, zingy and just plain pleasant the list to describe his infectious character and approach to life does not even begin to do justice to describe Ronnie’s character.

On Sunday 23 July 2017, South Africans retired for the night after receiving the tragic news of the death of this beautiful human being, a struggle veteran and dedicated civil servant, Mr Ronnie Mamoepa. Actually, Comrade Ronnie to me, a humble, disciplined and dedicated champion of the people.

As I reflect with pride on the life and times of Ronnie Mamoepa perhaps it is befitting to borrow from the final line of the 11th Thesis on Feuerbach by Karl Marx, “Philophers have hitherto only interpreted the world in various ways, the point is to change it”. Ronnie Mamoepa belonged to a generation of staunch revolutionaries who dared to change our world.

He first came to prominence as a young teenage activist in the late 70’s and 80’s and was eventually jailed and served time on Robben Island. He was a fierce and dedicated freedom fighter who never took a step back in fighting for the cause of liberation, justice and freedom.

During his lifetime Ronnie served in many capacities, but wherever he served he sought to make a difference. He was fearless, dedicated and extremely hard

working. He would and could not rest until the job was done.

Many fellow government communicators here today will no doubt remember being called to action by Ronnie.

Many of you here today grew under the tutelage of this captivating storyteller.

Many of us here were inspired and mentored by Ronnie. He was meticulous in his approach and insisted that those who worked with him gave their best at all times and more. He delivered excellence and superior communications products and expected the same from all of us including colleagues from the media When I first heard that Ronnie had been admitted to hospital I felt sick. I called Busani his colleague, and he never returned my calls I resigned to the fact that I would see him when he is discharged. I resisted to make any more calls to anybody and didn’t care for Busani to return my call because I was a lot more comfortable with no news but lived in the hope comforting hope that he would recover soon. I held on to a belief that Ronnie was the type that was made to recover quickly because life was a little slower with him in hospital.

I was told of a story when a few years back Ronnie took ill and was in hospital for a number of weeks. When he came out a certain colleagues happy to welcome him back said “Ronnie welcome back, you gave us a fright there, we thought you were gone”.

Ronnie wittily responded, “my boy, don’t wish for that day because at my funeral you won’t have access. It will be so big that the only way for you to gain entry will be if you are an ANC marshal or carrying a ANC youth league banner matching in front” of the hearse”.

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Minister of Communications Ayanda Dlodlo speaking at the Memorial Service Ronnie was always like eno or citrosoda, effervescent robust and strong and just brought a sense of calm and relief in sad and uncomfortable moments and situations. I knew I would never visit him in hospital when I heard he was in a coma. I just could not fathom a still and quiet Ronnie. That was a sight that would have scared, frightened and distorted my view of this lively character I got to know and love, I will forever remember his warm smile, his open and welcoming nature, as well as his deep intellect and critical thinking.

Government Communicators and the media fraternity join the nation in mourning the passing of Ronnie Mamoepa and sends sincere condolences for their loss. He was a stalwart of the anti-apartheid struggle; a dedicated

and humble civil servant and a loving husband and father. Ronnie was a true and loyal and dependable friend to many.

I remember travelling back to Johannesburg with him from comrade Collins Chabane’s funeral. He coaxed me into abandoning my transport and travelled back with him and comrade Faizel. He spoke most of the way on that journey to Johannesburg. He knew I needed love, and comfort from true comrades from that funeral. As caring and loving Ronnie would not have me travel back alone on that long drive to Johannesburg after I had buried my comrade and friend. He made the journey back so much more pleasant. By the time we got back to Jozi, I knew so much more about him and his naughty young years.

I marvelled at his great gift of story telling and his deep love and respect for fellow comrades, his party and the people. This week I will bury another friend, comrade and colleague who comforted me In that time of great sadness. This week I honour and pay tribute to another friend and colleague who placed the people before self.

I know I can say that the thoughts and prayers of the nation are with the Mamoepa family. My condolences to the ANC, Ronnie’s political home from when he was a child until his untimely death. Ronnie may have passed on but his legacy lives on and his contribution to our country will never be forgotten.

On behalf of the government Communicators Forum, colleagues in the media space I would like to call on all South Africans to join us as we pay tribute to a life well lived in indignity and honour. Ronnie and countless others of his generation lived to serve the people of South Africa. Ronnie represented a generation of those who gave up their childhood and youth for a life of struggle to ensure the liberation of all South Africans when there was no prospect of reward or recognition We owe it to the sacrifices of Ronnie and countless others to protect and expand on the many social and economic gains that we have made since 1994.

We should never forget that role played

by Ronnie and others in helping us move from a repressive regime to a society built on the values of human rights, dignity and democracy.

RIP my comrade, my friend and fellow fighter, you will be sorely missed.

Address by the Minister of Communications, Honourable Ayanda Dlodlo at the memorial service of Mr Ronnie Mamoepa.

8

Inner-city Gazette

27 July - 3 August 2017

27 July - 3 August 2017

Inner-city Gazette

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Thousands walk the talk Celebrities and high-profile personalities who graced the occasion included Gauteng Premier David Makhura, Johannesburg Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba, City of Johannesburg Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development Cllr Nonhlanhla Sifumba amongst others.

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ore than 50 000 people in all shapes and sizes, young and old, black and white, veterans and novices including fitness fanatics descended on Marks Park in Emmarentia on Sunday for the 17th edition of the MTN 702 Walk the Talk.

The venue started buzzing from as early as the crack of dawn when people arrived not only to take part in the 15km, 8km or 5km walk categories, but also to highlight and promote issues and causes they felt strongly about. They wore T-shirts, carried placards or flew flags calling for, among other things, the freedom of the Palestinian people, saving of the rhino, end of violence against women and children, support for brain surgery survivors, education of children, elimination of substance abuse and support for children with autism, among other causes.

Celebrities and high-profile personalities who graced the occasion included Gauteng Premier David Makhura, Johannesburg Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba, City of Johannesburg Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development Cllr Nonhlanhla Sifumba, Skeem Saam actor Clement Maosa, rapper Fifi Copper, 702 radio talkshow host Xolani Gwala, actress and TV presenter Buhle Samuels and former Miss South Africa and businesswoman Ba-

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MMC Sifumba walks on behalf of the Let’s Talk Jozi campaign.

setsana Kumalo. As has been the case over the years, the event was supported by the City of Johannesburg. Mayor Mashaba, who walked with his family in the 8km category, said he took part in the event in his capacity as the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg.

“I was not walking for a particular cause but I was here to show my support for the event and residents who were walking for causes close to their hearts,” said Mayor Mashaba.

Young and old enthusiasts turned up in huge numbers to grace the event.

He said the walk, his first since being elected Mayor of Johannesburg, was rewarding and energising. However, this was not the first time he took part in the event. “I’ve participated four times before. My wife, Connie, is a huge fan of the event and she takes part every year,” said Mayor Mashaba.

He said the event was a platform to promote healthy living and foster social cohesion. “Exercise is part and parcel of my life. I’m fortu-

nate to have a gym at my house because I cannot function without exercise,” said Mayor Mashaba.

He added: “This walk talks to a safe and clean environment. It shows us that it is possible to have a city where people can walk on the street without fear of being victims of crime.”

MMC Sifumba walked on behalf of the Let’s Talk Jozi campaign, which highlights the fight against women and child abuse. She said the walk was exhilarating.

“It was a great opportunity for us as public servants to engage with the people we serve,” said Cllr Sifumba.

She said the walk was a great platform to encourage residents to adopt a park so as to have clean and safe open spaces.

With popular music group Mafikizolo belting out their hit songs live on stage, there was a carnival-like atmosphere at Marks Park as people danced to the beat while catching up with friends or networking with business associates over a beer or hot dog at many of the food and beverages stalls set up throughout the venue. Many hung around until very late into the average.

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