City of Joburg and Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) conducted a tour on March 19 of the five area-based development projects that have been completed or are in the process of completion.
The JDA projects have a total investment value of an estimated R480-million.
The developments that were visited were the Indlulamithi project, which was chosen by the JDA for the Our City, Our Block Initiative; Westbury Transformation Development Centre; Kazerne Johannesburg Intermodal Transport Interchange (JITI); Main Street/Gandhi Square East precinct, which will enhance the pedestrian experience along Main Street and Gillfilon Parkin Jeppestown, launched in 2018.
The purpose of the JDA Our City, Our Block Initiative is to encourage formal and informal collaborative partnerships on a neighbourhood or precinct level and identify neighbourhood or precinct-scale capital projects that would return sustainable socio-economic benefits to inner city users.
“We chose the Indlulamithi project because it ticked all the right boxes. The community, organisations and schools in the area share the same vision of having a safe environment for their learners,” said JDA executive manager for planning and strategy Douglas Cohen.
Indlulamithi, ‘giraffe’ in isiZulu, aims to offer learners the best education and while doing so also create a safe environment for them.
“Just as the giraffe eats the sweetest leaves from the tops of the trees and does not settle for anything at the bottom, our children will also not settle for anything than the best. Through this project we want to offer that and ensure our learners are getting the best,” said Sacred Heart College’s head, Colin Northmore.
City of Joburg mayor Clr Herman Mashaba said this type of project makes Joburg a better place to live in.
“These projects are imperative for the rejuvenation of the inner city. It is just as important that government leads investment through upgrading and maintaining our own infrastructure.
“This tour highlighted how these crucial projects are planned, how they are built and how partnerships are fostered with key stakeholders and members of the community in their execution,” said Mashaba.
Cohen said the project is at the implementation stage and that work should be starting in May.
