Residents of Alexandra started off the month of love in an intellectually stimulating fashion when the City of Joburg’s customised library vehicle popped around.
Instead of doing their washing, gardening and other household chores, residents interacted with City of Joburg’s Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Nonhlanhla Sifumba, as she hosted the second regional service delivery roadshow at the South African Park in Alexandra, Region E, on Saturday 2 February.
This was the second roadshow after the one in Ivory Park late last year, which showcased the Community Development Department’s services through exhibitions and activities.
The customized library vehicle by Library and Information Services directorate allowed the residents to check out the books on loan and a chance to engage regional librarians. Children enjoyed painting and they were enthralled despite the busy surroundings.
The Sport and Recreation directorate offered an exhibition showcasing various regional sport and recreation facilities, which range from developmental to excellence programmes. The physical activity component was covered with activities such as hula hoop spinning, ball shooting and passing.
Located in the far west of the park, the 1952 London Bus is still going strong adjacent to the 1957 Azikhwelwa (We shall not ride) exhibition both provided by Arts, Culture and Heritage directorate.
In her writing, the late journalist and freedom fighter Ruth First named it “The tiger has fallen”. The cry “Azikhwelwa” has left its footprint in Alexandra and saw some silk screening artwork reflected on the T-shirts.
The Joburg Theatre Mobile truck also staged entertainment led by the kids’ performances such as vosho, gwara gwara, iSbhujwa dances, songs and mind challenging poems. The Mobile Zoo presented animals and residents were offered the opportunity to touch birds and snakes.
Through this, the Human Development Cluster (Community Development and its sister departments- Health Services, Social Development, Emergency Services, Johannesburg Metro Police) joined by Citizen Relationship and Urban Management Department and Joburg Water were able to market themselves to their most important stakeholders.
“The ultimate goal of these roadshows is to ensure that our residents are informed about what we have on offer in different regions,” concluded MMC Sifumba.
