Addressing an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) regional summit at the Johannesburg City Hall in Region F, Mayor Herman Mashaba said his administration wants Joburg to be the economic engine for the country and that the City plans to be the biggest creator of jobs in 2019.
“We are a City of just over 5 million people and we budget on the basis of the people we have in the city."
"The 2019/20 draft budget IDP and budget will move us closer to achieving our goal of being a more responsive city that will deliver service with pride. Expenditure on infrastructure services and housing has increased from 58% in 2016/17 to 71% in 2019/2020,” said Mayor Mashaba.
More than 500 people, mostly residents of the City of Johannesburg’s Region F, attended the summit on Saturday, 13 April 2019. Also in attendance was MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services Cllr Nico de Jager, MMC for Health and Social Development Cllr Mpho Phalatse, MMC for Finance Cllr Funzela Ngobeni, Speaker of Council Cllr Vasco da Gama and MMC for Development Planning Cllr Reuben Masango, Chief Whip Cllr Kevin Wax and Region F Director Irene Mafune.
Most of the concerns raised by residents included the building of low-cost houses, improving refuse collection, electrifying informal settlements, healthcare, safety, prostitution and drugs, informal traders, access to water and sanitation, by-law enforcement and reducing long queues in clinics.
James Khumalo from Ward 57 complained about the illegal conversion of houses into tuck shops, illegal building of backyard rooms and the non-collection of refuse in his area.
Cllr Da Gama said the IDP empowered communities to have a say in what is happening in their communities. An IDP is a five-year City strategy aimed at responding to service delivery needs of residents, he told residents.
Mafune provided a breakdown of projects that will be implemented in the next financial year. Some of the projects in Region F included:
1. South Hills mixed housing project in Ward 57
2. M1 Double Decker Bridge maintenance project
3. M2 Kazerne & Selby structural rehabilitation
4. Stormwater rehabilitation at Observatory Golf Course
5. Innercity property rejuvenation
“Hold us accountable to ensure that we use this budget properly, the mindset for the public service has changed, people are getting value for money,” concluded Mayor Mashaba.
