High turnout at Region F’s IDP meeting

A large number of residents from Region F packed the Brixton Multipurpose Centre on April 18 to participate in the region’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) session.

The public engagement, themed ‘The People’s Plan: Our City, Joburg – A Place We Call Home’, aimed to foster broad public participation and interaction with city officials.

Council speaker Margaret Arnolds presided over the session flanked by several high-ranking municipal officials, including members of the MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services, Development Planning, and Environment & Infrastructure Services.

Ward councillors and regional officials were also present.

Arnolds commended the inclusion of information stalls from various departments, allowing residents to register service delivery grievances and access valuable municipal resources.

“The draft IDP for the 2024/25 financial year strives to encourage inclusive participation in addressing service delivery challenges faced by residents within their communities,” stated Arnolds.

She emphasised the importance of active community engagement in shaping the IDP and directly communicating service delivery concerns to city officials.

MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services, Loyiso Masuku, presented the draft IDP, outlining the region’s current service delivery state, progress on capital expenditure projects, budgets, ongoing initiatives and development priorities.

“Collaboration is crucial,” Masuku stressed.

“We urge residents to take ownership of this plan and contribute to its success. This plan prioritises essential services like water supply, reliable electricity and efficient waste management to improve residents’ quality of life. It also looks beyond immediate challenges to transform our society and propel Johannesburg to the next stage of development.”

Masuku said projects in the region include construction of a sewer pipeline in Ward 124, the Brixton swimming pool refurbishment, the Yeoville reservoir upgrade, the new Turffontein Clinic, the Bertrams Multipurpose Centre and more.

Residents raised various service delivery issues, including high unemployment, crime, homelessness, illegal electricity connections, building hijackings, park encroachment, waste management problems, and water outages.

Responding to resident concerns, MMC Sekwaila acknowledged cable theft as a major citywide issue and highlighted City Power’s budget allocation for cable replacements.

“The city is actively addressing service delivery challenges in Region F,” said Sekwaila. “Progress is being made, but there’s a critical need for increased by-law enforcement to hold perpetrators accountable.”

Mgcina acknowledged the challenges faced by residents in Region F regarding schools and crèches, which fall outside the city’s jurisdiction. She committed to engaging the provincial department through intergovernmental relations to address these concerns.

Mgcina also commended the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders working to improve residents’ lives in the region.