Kliptown development back on track, says government
Amid renewed promises and cautious optimism, Kliptown residents confront long-standing service delivery failures as government leaders launch a campaign to restore dignity and infrastructure in one of Johannesburg’s most historic communities.
Residents of Kliptown voiced grievances about poor service delivery to the deputy president Paul Mashatile during the Clean Cities Campaign launch at the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication (WSSoD) on June 6.
The visit came when many residents felt disheartened due to the government’s unfulfilled promises. While some remained disengaged, others gained a renewed sense of hope from the visit.
Some residents murmured from the side of a gravel road, “They are here to lie to us,” as the deputy president, the CoJ mayor and the acting premier walked to Charlotte Maxeke House and later visited the Kliptown Youth Programme Centre.
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Joining them were the MMC for Finance, the Johannesburg Speaker, and the MEC for Social Development, among others.
The deputy president acknowledged that they had also faced service delivery issues during the nationwide campaign launch.
“Here in Kliptown, they have already told us about electricity problems and that some people lack title deeds. We are here as national, provincial and local governments, and we take responsibility,” he said.
He added that some ministers and deputy ministers had already committed to returning or sending their officials.
The acting premier had also made a commitment; for example, the MEC for Social Development was present, he said.
The deputy president said significant work was underway to restore the WSSoD.
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“As you can see from the mayor, we are repairing the centre. Work is ongoing to fix the drainage system and the roof because it was once a beautiful conference centre.”
Kliptown, established in 1903, is the oldest urban settlement in the Johannesburg area. It is also a historic site where the Congress of the People adopted the Freedom Charter on June 26, 1955, and has historically accommodated people of all races, according to the CoJ.
Yet Kliptown remains underdeveloped and underserved, with gravel roads and inadequate sanitation. Residents still rely on chemical toilets and the bucket system.
The mayor said a programme to develop Kliptown had been in place for several years but was destabilised after the 2016 local government elections.
He noted that after the change in government, the area lost priority, but efforts are now underway to refocus attention on it.
“We are reinvigorating Kliptown. Our goal is to develop the entire area, including providing housing opportunities like social housing and RDP homes for the local community,” Mayor Dada Morero noted.
He said the project was large-scale, extending beyond the square to cover the entire Kliptown area.
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“We are ready to begin implementing portions of this year’s budget, and by 2026-2027, full funding will support Kliptown’s development,” he concluded.
Development priorities include human settlements, roads and bulk infrastructure.
The MMC for Finance confirmed that a budget had been allocated for Kliptown’s assets and the square, prioritising the square and its surrounding areas.
Funds have been earmarked for departments such as the Johannesburg Roads Agency (roads and bridges), ComDev (community centres), and JPC (water systems).
While some residents remain sceptical, Masabata Mosehle, who lives near Charlotte Maxeke home, told the Soweto Urban she believes change is possible.
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“When officials say ‘enough is enough,’ we believe them because we are overcrowded. It’s not the first time they’ve said this, but their approach this time feels promising. They used to come with an attitude, take pictures, and leave,” Mosehle said.
The deputy president said the campaign created cleaner, greener and more inclusive urban spaces.
He emphasised that it encourages people to work with the government to clean and improve their communities, promoting sustainability, equality and solidarity among all citizens.
The programme will be implemented nationwide.
