AN APPEAL has been made to Alex residents and local organisations to support the Greater Alexandra Development Forum.
The forum was formed to co-ordinate and liaise on the development of the township, including housing.
This was said by the MMC for housing, Bonakele Dan Bovu, when addressing the residents on housing and other social challenges of the areas.
He said most of residents’ challenges resulted from a lack of unity which made it difficult for government to provide funding appropriately – unlike in other areas where development occurred quicker. “The forum was created as a platform for consultation by all political, social and development organisations, interest groups and residents with government to ensure co-ordinated planning and inclusive development,”he said.
He encouraged people to work towards a single agenda so that sustainable development of the area could achieved.
Bovu added that the other challenge stalling housing development was a court judgement that has been pending since 2005. Government was interdicted after starting development in the area, including on some of the claimed land.
He said he was optimistic the interdict would be resolved before the end of the year so that government could proceed to finalise planned housing developments where permissible.
Thousands of land claims were lodged by land and property owners almost 20 years ago with the Land Claims Commission which had still not been finalised. Bovu said they met regularly with land claims organisations such as the Alexandra Land and Property Owners Association.
“My main priority is to ensure the [interdict] is resolved quickly and amicably in the interest of both parties [claimants and government] on this matter, which is also of interest to President Jacob Zuma who has committed to prioritise funding the township’s housing development,” he said.
The association has also, on several occasions through this paper, expressed frustration at the delay in resolving claims. It has said that government has approved only 18 uncontested claims which it plans to hand over this month. Also, government has suggested other options through land restoration elsewhere and through joint business ventures which are still to be clarified.
