Mogale City commended on racial integration

Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane made special mention of a Krugersdorp family who reside in a so-called black township during her State of the Province Address (Sopa) on Monday 24 February, commending Mogale City for having taken steps in terms of racial integration.

According to Mogale City Local Municipality, Mr and Mrs Griesel now live in Kagiso, a scenario unheard of 20 years ago. They are neighbours to the grandparents of a young woman born on 27 April 1994, the day millions of South Africans lined up to vote for the first time in their lives.

Presenting her address, Mokonyane said the young woman whom she referred to as Thandiswa is one of the “born frees”, a generation born in the era of democracy and freedom.

She said as the country approaches 20 years of democracy, the Gauteng Legislature is rededicating itself “to the noble goals of building a united, a just, a non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous South Africa”.

Quoting former President Nelson Mandela, Mokonyane said “out of Apartheid must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud. Our daily deeds as ordinary South Africans must produce an actual South African reality that will reinforce humanity’s belief in justice, strengthen its confidence in the nobility of the human soul and sustain all our hopes for a glorious life for all.”

The province’s human settlements policy is living up to its objectives, according to Mokonyane. Using the Griesels as an example, she said, “We now have residential areas that are non-racial, with mixed-income groups. Within their vicinity all residents have access to amenities such as schools, clinics, shopping complexes and crèches.”

In order to bring back the dignity of black people, many of whom still live in shacks, the Province in 2009 identified several informal settlements for upgrade across the province.

“To this end, we have acquired almost 45 land parcels for upgrade. In the 2013/14 financial year, we will allocate approximately R240 million towards the acquisition of 15 properties, which are well-located for low-income and affordable housing,” she said.

Besides making progress in improving the living conditions of black people in terms of providing decent accommodation, Mogale City is benefiting from agriculture projects set up by the Province.

Mokonyane said development of two vegetable agri-parks had commenced in Tarlton.

“As part of our commitment to establish agri-parks, we have established the Dinokeng Flower agri-park in Tshwane. The development of two vegetable agri-parks has commenced in Tarlton in Mogale City and Wattville in Ekurhuleni, and will be completed in 2013/ 14.”

She added that reconstruction of the Bob van Reenen Sports Stadium in Mogale City would also commence during this financial year.

* Source Mogale City official website.