Ward 94 open day brings municipal services and local business boost to Fourways Mall
Residents had an opportunity to access municipal services while local agro-processors showcased their products at a Ward 94 open day.
The Ward 94 open day at Fourways Mall killed two birds with one stone, giving residents direct access to municipal services while creating an opportunity for small businesses to showcase and sell their products.
The event, held on September 26, brought together municipal teams, community organisations and agro-processors as part of an effort to bring services closer to residents. Annah Malatjie, from citizen relationship and urban management (Crum), said the unit’s responsibility was to co-ordinate departments and entities within the city, particularly in Region A.
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Malatjie said social development was invited because of its extended social package (ESP) unit, which could assist qualifying residents. She said the event also allowed residents to access information about services they might otherwise struggle to reach. “Because this is Fourways, you can’t really access anybody and you can’t even share what the city offers to those that cannot afford, like social grants and so forth.”
At the same time, agro-processors were invited to showcase their businesses, network and sell their products. Malatjie said the businesses were given the opportunity to gain exposure and introduce their products to people visiting the mall. “It’s not every day that someone can just rent out a space in the mall itself,” she said, “so now this is an opportunity for them to say, ‘This is my product and this is what I do’.”
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Ward 94 councillor David Foley said a few residents attended to enquire about services, but he had hoped for a bigger turnout. “We need to do more of these events because I have residents in my group who complain about such, so it would’ve been lovely to see them forthcoming to get them resolved,” Foley said. “I think next time we will put more awareness about the events so that we get a good turnout.”
The open day included the Fourways Improvement District, the City of Johannesburg revenue team and Pikitup, with residents able to raise municipal and waste-related queries. The event also gave qualifying residents an opportunity to enquire about the ESP and allowed agro-processors to promote their businesses directly to the public.
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