Alex makeover project now launches on 24 April
ALEXANDRA – Twala says this will be the last throw of the dice to try and fix Alex.
The launch of the Alex Chapter of NPO South Africa Day which will be involved in the infrastructural renewal and beautification project in the township will now take place on 24 April.
The launch of the beautification programme under the We Love Alex Community Makeover Project was initially scheduled for 10 April at the Phuthaditjaba-Qoqizizwe Centre, which used to be the home of Alex Chapter chairperson Linda Twala before it was blown up by suspected apartheid government security agents in 1986. The project launch has been postponed three times, to 11 April, then 17 April and now 24 April.
Invitations have already been extended to various guests, most of whom will be from the Sandton business community and will be led by the SA Day CEO Dr Bheki Shongwe; University of the Free State chancellor and economist Professor Bonang Francis Mohale; Sandton businessmen Kevin Wakeford, chief executive officer of Bidvest Travel and Aviation Services; and Chris Hart, executive chairperson of Impact Investments Africa.
Hart is also the main fundraiser for the Alex makeover project under the Alexandra Investment Fund which will also look at possible investment opportunities for Sandtonites in Alex and vice-versa while also starting programmes to fund, develop and grow Alex SMMEs for potential joint venture businesses opportunities in Alex itself and Sandton as well.
Hart has been quoted as hoping to use the makeover project to spark a flurry of business opportunities in Alex in an endeavour to grow the township economy so that Alex is not used as a bedroom by the Sandton labour reservoir but also becomes an active generator of economic activity in the township.
The arrival of the invited guests and the subsequent tea party for them at 12pm will be preceded by a public announcement for the community of Alexandra, which will outline the objectives of the makeover project and its anticipated attainments. After the tea party, the guests will then be taken on a guided tour of key sites around the township that tie into the project.
“It is my belief that this will be the final chance to fix Alexandra together as a community, working hand in hand with the government and the Sandton business community. This is our last grenade. It’s now or never,” Twala told the Alex News team.
Details: Linda Twala 082 442 2866; fatherofalex@welovealex.org.za; president@welovealex.org.za
