2011-10-20: Game on! Joburg 2040
THE City of Johannesburg will launch its Joburg 2040 Growth and Development Strategy (GDS) document tonight at the FNB Stadium.
Joburg will not do it alone but together with residents, business, youth, women, the disabled, institutions of learning, government and all the organizations and individuals who participated in the GDS Outreach programme. This Outreach Process was a first in long-term strategy making processes in South African Local Government history.
Numerous activities are planned throughout the City involving different communities, their councilors and officials as part of the launch celebrations. As a build up to the launch, various structures like bridges and buildings will be lit up and branded with the Joburg 2040 logo.
Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg councilor Parks Tau says, "We are extremely excited about the launch of the Joburg 2040 document because it is a true reflection of the contribution and input of the citizens of Joburg".
Continuing he says, "Together with my team, I urge every person to spread the message of a world class African city that has shifted course and responded to what people have said".
The Joburg 2040 strategy is an aspirational document that defines the type of society Joburg wants to become by 2040.
It does however provide a set of defined strategic choices that frame the five-year Integrated Development Plan. In support of long-term delivery the IDP contains specific five-year operational activities, targets and financial budgets. Through platforms such as the mainstream media, the Joburg website and social media, each and every event received publicity. It was a successful engagement by the City to work with citizens and groups to find sustainable ways to meet their social, economic and material needs and to improve their quality of life.
The GDS Outreach, a nine-week process of engagement launched on 2 August 2011, provided an opportunity through which to test the ideas included in a draft of the 2040 GDS. The process included a number thematic weeks, namely: Liveable Cities, Resource Sustainability, Health and Poverty, Governance, Transportation, Community Safety, Environment, Economic Growth and Smart City.
Discussions with stakeholders including the community; ward-level engagement and participation to incorporate the voices of local communities ran parallel to the eight weekly themes.
An international conference with leading global, regional and local experts; a City Lekgotla and a final GDS Stakeholders' Summit providing critical feedback.
It aimed to include all stakeholders, using a wide-ranging stakeholder and community consultation process to drive the development of an inspiring, visionary and implementable local government strategy. As a strategic benefit, it brought about a greater public understanding of the causal relationship between long-term strategy, its implementation and service delivery imperatives. It allowed for an all-inclusive policy direction to be adopted by the City.
In doing so Joburg broke new ground and took public participation to a new level in pursuance of its vision: "Johannesburg will become a resilient world class African city of the future-a city that provides sustainability, a real quality of life for all its citizens and one that celebrates diversity".
Fast facts about GDS
15 000 estimated number of people interacted with the City through thematic workshops, Ward consultations, GDS Conference, GDS Summit
1000 Managers briefing to mobilise the City's 27 000 strong workforce
51 340 total number of interactions online through Facebook, Twitter, micro-site, You tube, emails, etc
83 total of number City-hosted events were held throughout the thematic weeks
Issued on behalf of:
Councillor Parks Tau
Executive Mayor
City of Johannesburg
Issued by:
Virgil James
Spokesperson
City of Joburg
Cel: 082 467 9415
Tel: 011 407 7226
