Workers’ World Media Productions’ Labour Community Media Forum hosted a non-partisan dialogue at Alex-SanKopano Community Centre on December 15, giving residents a platform to confront the township’s challenges and propose community-driven solutions.

Community activist Thabo Maposi explained that the initiative forms part of the broader nationwide dialogue, which continues to inspire critical conversations across South Africa.

“The national dialogue has not stopped. The initiatives that come up are still very important for society to discuss. That is why in our local area we have challenges of land, housing, sanitation, water, gender-based violence and crime,” Maposi said.

Read more: Alexandra residents urged to unite at community dialogue

Maposi spoke about the long-term vision behind the initiative, noting that residents should think generationally.

“It is all about how we plan for Alex for the next 30 years and how we are going to benefit. You can’t plan for people and exclude yourself. When you plan around housing, you must plan for the community and also plan for you to become a beneficiary,” he said.

He stressed that without planning, progress remains elusive. Among the issues he raised were the shortage of schools, courts, and police stations, as well as the need for the use of a satellite police station in East Bank.

Also read: Alexandra holds a dialogue on migrants’ rights and social cohesion

Simon Ramapuputla of Workers’ World Media Production noted these concerns, adding that the most concerning issue in Alex is around land and overcrowded schools. He emphasised that the dialogue aims to unify diverse community voices and to foster solidarity as the foundation for solutions.

“While the government led by Cyril Ramaphosa initiated and facilitated the process, it is intended to be citizen-led. The theme is uniting voices and shaping the nation,” Ramapuputla said.

He said the broader national dialogue explores poverty, inequality, hunger, social cohesion, nation-building, land reform, food security, education, and health. But for Alexandrans, these conversations are deeply personal, as residents grapple with challenges unique to their area.

The dialogue highlighted that while the government may facilitate, it is the citizens who must lead. Both Ramapuputla and Mopasi emphasised that the path forward lies in unity, planning, and ensuring that every voice contributes to shaping a township to thrive for decades to come.

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