A block by block renewal of Alex launched
South Africa Day and We love Alexandra Community Makeover Project have hatched a renewal plan for the township and proposed that companies in Sandton adopt a street and adopt a block to quicken the pace of the redevelopment.
The fundraiser for the We love Alexandra Community Makeover Project has called on Sandton businesses to support the Adopt a Block, Adopt a Street programme of the renewal of the township.
Speaking at the Alexandra Investment Fund summit, Chris Hart, executive chairperson of the Impact Investment Group and South Africa Day’s (initiators of the makeover project) chief financial strategist, said, “By pooling our small resources together we can substantially contribute towards ensuring a significant and powerful impact on the lives of the township folk.
“There are five elements to the initial phase of Adopt a Block, Adopt a Street concept and these include engaging with the residents of the block or street that you wish to support; upgrading the relevant paving; upgrading the boundary fences and walls; the installation of lighting; and the installation of security cameras,” Hart said.
He said the residents of each selected block or building should be involved in the planning and execution of the upgrade. “The whole idea is to make each area significantly more attractive and safer to walk through.
“By involving the residents, we will secure project sustainability. Each engagement could start by identifying an employee or employees of your company and using that person to initiate the street engagement process. SA Day and the We Love Alexandra Community Makeover Project will also assist in the engagement process.”
Hart said once the initial upgrade process had been completed, the ongoing maintenance and protection of the site were not expected to be onerous.
A full upgrade of Alexandra could probably be fully achieved with the support of 100 businesses, backed by Alexandra-based businesses, he added.
To further the impact of the makeover project, Hart said SA Day would also support a group of Alexandra investment funds, whose purpose would be to extend the support and access to capital that South Africa Day could offer to Alexandra entrepreneurs and businesses.
This will provide a strong boost to help grow the local Alexandra micro-economy, and help to deliver hope and opportunity to the vast pool of unemployed workers, Hart said.
“There is already considerable interest in this aspect of the makeover project and the investment funds will have the mandate to support the expansion and upgrade of local businesses. They are also fully commercial funds, seeking a return for the investors supporting this initiative. The long-term goal of the investment funds is to generate a circular economy, where the community can anchor.”
Details: Ebheki@southafricaday.org.za; lawrence@welovealex.org.za
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