Alex makeover project work is set to begin

It’s all systems go for the We Love Alexandra Community Makeover Project which is poised to begin its beautification work of the township on July 18.

This follows the announcement of the starting date for the project and the establishment of the various committees, 11 in total. The committees will facilitate the smooth running of the mammoth task of the beautification and revitalisation of infrastructure and economy of the township, to make it an investor-friendly destination for those that want to do business in the country’s oldest township.

Speaking in an interview with Alex News to announce the starting date for the project, the deputy president of the makeover project and Alex Chapter of SA Day, Lawrence Ruele said it was all systems go for the project. The president of the project and community builder, Linda Twala has described the initiative as his last throw of the dice in his efforts over many years in trying to uplift the community of his beloved Alexandra.

“We have been talking to various stakeholders and interested parties in the community, the local and outside business people, private companies, government entities and so forth … and what people thought was simple talk will soon be reality. It’s going to happen come July 18 and community support has been overwhelming,” Ruele said.

Ruele added that the City of Johannesburg had assured them of its backing through Executive Mayor Geoff Makhubo and his MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services, Mpho Moerane.
Moerane is an Alexandrian himself and added there was nothing stopping them now to fix the ills of iKasi lethu (our township).

“We want iKasi lethu to be a place where people can leave their houses and walk to the butchery next door, walk to a bread vendor, a cobbler, a tailor, a barbershop and a whole range of other services and small businesses without having to leave the peripheries of the township,” said Moerane.

“We want to see more shops and supermarkets springing up inside the township. We yearn for peace and tranquillity as well in our township, where people can walk the streets without fear of being mugged or knifed and even shot and killed for something as small as a cellphone.

“A place where the youth will do meaningful and beneficial business with the community as opposed to selling and indulging in illicit drugs, and also where young girls will be free to walk the streets without fear of being molested by sexual predators.”

He said they hoped to work closely with law enforcement agencies such as the SAPS, Gauteng police and Metro police to keep the streets clean and safe. “Once cleaned and beautified, streets will be handed over to residents of that particular street who will blow the whistle once they notice an infringement or dumping.”