Eldorado Park residents feel neglected by City

The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) speaker of council, Nobuhle Mthembu, hosted an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) session at the Lenasia South Civic Centre on April 5.

The event formed part of the CoJ Legislature’s broader initiative to ensure inclusive, transparent, and people-driven development planning across all regions.

Held for the residents of Region G, the session saw an overwhelming turnout as community members filled the venue to capacity, eager to engage with the city’s proposed developmental priorities and contribute their perspectives.

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Region G includes Eldorado Park, Ennerdale, Drieziek, Finetown, Kanana Park, Lakeside, Lawley, Lenasia, Nancefield, Orange Farm, Stretford Extensions, Vlakfontein, and Zakariyya Park.

Community leaders from Eldorado Park also participated in the IDP meeting, more so because in November 9, 2024, their initial joint community-based planning (CBP) meeting with Ward 119 of Freedom Park was destrupted due to disagreements over the Southern Fam housing project.

The atmosphere was one of collaboration and civic pride, as residents actively participated in discussions, raised pertinent concerns, and provided constructive input to the draft IDP for the 2025/26 financial year.

Throughout the engagement, a number of key service delivery challenges were brought to the fore.

Residents expressed strong concerns around deteriorating road infrastructure, poor maintenance of stormwater drainage systems, limited access to well-equipped sports and recreational facilities for the youth and the continued lack of effective by-law enforcement in the region.

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These and other issues were passionately discussed, highlighting the community’s desire for a more responsive, efficient, and accountable local government.

Community leader !Xam Keith Duarte from Old Eldorado Park expressed disappointment citing that there is a budget of R38.8b for the CoJ for 2025/26 but only budgeted for an R2m park.

“We do not want parks, we want houses. Not a single RDP house was built for our people since 1994,” said Duarte.

“Thirty years into the democratic government and they still do not address our housing crisis. We have to fight our way into other mega housing projects in other regions.”

He said whenever there is a CBP or IDP meeting when they propose housing or any other social infrastructure, they are not being noted and accused the CoJ of doing as they please.

He further noted that the Southern Farms development project was not mentioned during the IDP, further noting that it was concerning because it led to the collapse of the CBP meeting last year.

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Mthembu thanked the residents of Region G for showing up for the meeting and making sure that it did not collapse.

“The draft IDP document was presented, and the debates were robust but respectful and orderly. As the CoJ Legislature, we truly appreciate such engagements as they reaffirm the value of the platforms we create for meaningful dialogue between the city and its residents,” said Mthembu.

The speaker encouraged residents to continue participating in IDP sessions and similar public engagements, noting that such platforms are fundamental to the democratic functioning of local government.

She emphasised that the IDP process is also about holding the municipality accountable, strengthening transparency, and giving communities a real voice in shaping the city’s long-term development trajectory.

Through the IDP sessions, the CoJ Legislature continues to demonstrate its commitment to good governance, participatory democracy, and inclusive development.

As part of this ongoing process, IDP sessions will be held across all seven regions of the CoJ, ensuring that every community has the opportunity to engage.

Residents are encouraged to also submit their inputs online via the City’s public participation portal: https://www.flui.city/city-of-johannesburg/posts/71220-idp-2025-26-review