Bekkersdal engagement - Gauteng strengthens talks with communities and their leadership
The backlog in service delivery dating back to apartheid years has made the work of revamping sewerage system in Bekkersdal very difficult and new interventions are needed to contain the old sewer system while the new one is being installed. COGTA and Human Settlements MEC Mamabolo said in Johannesburg today in a consultative meeting with Bekkersdal community leadership led by the Greater Westonaria Concerned Residents Association (GWCRA).
As part of ongoing community engagements, MEC Mamabolo called the meeting to give feedback on the Bekkersdal Service Delivery Improvement Plan (SDIP). The SDIP is a Bekkersdal “turn-around plan” and it is spearheaded by the Gauteng Provincial Government and its objectives are to upgrade Infrastructure, improve social and economic conditions of the previously violence ravaged community. Additional benefits to the community include job creation and entrepreneurship.
The turn-around plan was successfully launched on 15 November 2014 in Bekkersdal. Three high impact community projects which were launched are: The R320 Sewer Upgrade Network, Cleaning and Recycling project in partnership with the City of Johannesburg, Sod tuning for Simunye high school which is a partnership with the two local mining companies.
Today’s feedback session included, amongst others, discussions on sewer upgrade, clean up campaign, electrification, water supply to the informal settlements, innovative sanitation system and soil tests to determine what kind of structures can be built in situ.
“We had robust discussions and jointly looked into challenges facing the implementation of the SDIP. One of the key concerns is spilling sewer whilst a new line. Fortunately we had the contractor in the meeting and I have requested them to find ways of containing the problem as we remain concerned about hygiene of our people in Bekkersdal”, Mamabolo said.
MEC also announced that a new suitable land has been secured to build a new high school in the area with contribution by a local mine. MEC also requested the strengthening of the cleanup campaign, and insisted on local economic development in the process. MEC committed to working with MECs of Education and of Agriculture and Rural Development to coordinate all interventions and contributions by mines into Bekkersdal renewal. One intervention and contribution by mines include agriculture project for food production which will employ 185 people in the first phase.
“We are pleased that our engagements with Bekkersdal community have yielded fruits as we have seen a strengthening of relationships with the community. I will still have one more meeting before the end of the year with Bekkersdal leadership. We have also agreed to hold a two-day summit to discuss issues affecting Bekkersdal”, MEC Mamabolo concluded.
Enquiries:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Cell: 079 897 2240
