townships
14 September 2006
Gauteng Premier, Mbhazima Shilowa, hopes that young black professionals will
be lured back to the townships when they see how these areas are rejuvenated
into upmarket residential towns.
"We hope by then (the end of the programme), young professionals and
high-income earners will be choosing townships as places where they can buy
property and raise their children. Together with municipalities, we are ready
to work with its citizens to make this dream a reality and to realise our
objective of a better life for all," he said.
The Premier uttered his hopes today at the launch of the multi-billion rand
Twenty Priority Township renewal programme at Tembisa on the East Rand.
Attended by Members of the Executive Council (MECs), councillors, mayors and
thousands of residents, school kids and other distinguished guests, the
Mehlareng Stadium in the township was buzzing with excitement as Shilowa
elaborated on the big plans for the twenty areas spread across Gauteng.
"It is in the streets of these townships that the battle for liberation was
fought, they are the areas that produced some of the finest political and
business leaders. These were the homes of our underground structures and sites
of mass resistance," said Shilowa.
The Premier announced the programme in his opening of the legislature speech
in February this year, saying that the townships of Atteridgeville, Soshanguve,
Mamelodi, Kagiso, Munsieville, Mohlakeng, Boipatong, Bophelong, Sharpeville,
Sebokeng, Ratanda, Katlehong, Kwatsaduza, Wattville, Daveyton, Tembisa,
Refilwe, Rethabiseng, Orlando and Zola will be upgraded and beautified so that
residents can be proud of it. An amount of R3 billion has been budgeted to foot
the bill for the current financial year.
"Our focus is on building safe and sustainable communities where all
residents have decent shelter with the necessary facilities such as roads,
clinics, schools, sport and recreation facilities, access to work opportunities
and a vibrant and supportive community life," said Shilowa.
Prior to the event at the stadium, the Premier, the MECs and other
government officials went on walkabout to the different sites around Tembisa
where the upgrade projects have started in earnest. Shilowa also cut ribbons at
the sites, signalling that the projects are now officially in progress.
All the Twenty Prioritised Township projects should be finished by 2009.
Shilowa said it was important that government kept to the set timeline, as the
province was working towards becoming a fully-fledged competitive city
region.
"The marginalisation of old townships cannot be allowed to continue
especially when we are seeking to consolidate Gauteng's role as a globally
competitive city region. Our strategy to build Gauteng into a competitive city
region requires us to grow the economy and to involve the marginalised in
economic activity and ensure sustainable livelihoods," said Shilowa.
Entertainment at the venue was provided by amongst others the King of
Kwaito, Arthur, the new singing sensation Chomee, the Isekelo Primary School
Choir, the Tembisa Youth Choir and other cultural groups.
Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
14 September 2006
Source: SAPA
