2009-11-16: What’s important about an address?
Displaying a proper visible street address is more important than just indicating where one lives.
The City of Joburg emphasizes that the proper marking of house numbers could save a life in an emergency.
Johannesburg has more than 800 000 formalised street addresses following a two-year process of address verification which was carried out in the City.
The City is now in the process of delivering the last 140 000 letters to properties in Region D (Greater Soweto).
Through this project the City facilitates sustainable development and service delivery to all its citizens which is not possible without basic information such as a physical street address.
The project focuses on providing physical street addresses for properties using stand numbers and, in some cases, house numbers for identification.
Stand numbers and house numbers are problematic because they do not always follow in sequential number order and rely on local knowledge for interpretation.
The implementation of the new addresses require Council to deliver a letter to each individual household that confirms the new street address and advise the owner/ tenant on their responsibilities as follows:
The number must be visible and not smaller than 75mm in height.
The number must face the street on which it was allocated to (In the case of corner stands)
The cost to display the new address is carried by the Owner /tenant.
The Owner / tenant must notify the relevant institutions of the change of address.
The City realises the inconvenience of changing one’s address, but the cost incurred to display the correct street number is minute compared to the value of saving a life when an ambulance or fire truck is required.
An address is not only essential for mail delivery, but also facilitates the delivery of a wide range of other services such as water, sewage, telecommunication, electricity, refuse collection and emergency services.
A valid address also enables the occupants to open bank accounts or buy on credit. An address is also required by the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA), for obtaining an identity document or a passport as stipulated by the Identification Act 7.
You have easy access to street address information from the City via the Online Maps on the City’s website at eservices.joburg.org.za/joburg/eservices . Any further enquires can be directed to the Street Address Section at the Corporate Geo-Informatics Department.
Tel: 011 407 6161/6084 or Fax: 011 403 3511
Issued by: Thembelihle Radebe
Media & Communications
Region C & D
Public Liaison Department
CITY OF JOBURG
For further enquiries, please contact:
Street Address Section: Corporate Geo-Informatics Department
Telephone: 011 407-6161 or Fax: 011 407-3511
