Meshack van Wyk, MMC for Housing in the City of Johannesburg writes:
As we come into the new year, I would like to urge the community to foster the spirit of active citizenry.
Whenever I engage communities, I ask them for us to hold hands and work together collaboratively towards ensuring that our housing infrastructural investments are not vandalised and that when people receive a title to a house or a key to a housing unit that they take good care of it. A house should be seen as a productive asset that would add to the generational wealth of families.
I remain steadfast in my commitment to ensuring that we maximise development benefits and move closer towards realising the vision of a fully inclusive society.
I do, however, recognise that this cannot be realised without a shared vision and this compels each one of us to make some sort of contribution towards achieving this critical social imperative. Issues around social inclusion intersect with the quality of living environments, lack of social mobility and racial dynamics.
I hope that in 2019 I am able to engage and interact with communities and other identified stakeholders to ensure that we come up with workable solutions to addressing persistent housing challenges.
I feel honoured to have been given the responsibility of ensuring that the Department of Housing and Johannesburg Social Housing Company (Joshco) are effective in carrying out their respective mandates.
It is very rewarding to be part of a portfolio where one is able to make a tangible and valuable contribution towards the betterment of the living conditions of marginalised communities.
Even though I have only been in office since May 2018, I have managed to ensure that title deeds are issued in the following areas: 500 in Lufhereng, 483 in Zola, 50 in Alexandra, Kanana Park and 90 in Ivory Park. I also had the privilege of doing my first handover of housing units at our Devland Social Housing Project as well as at our integrated housing development in South Hills.
There are also several other units that will be handed over to beneficiaries and tenants in the next few months.
Although the development and handover of housing units is a commendable achievement, the bigger highlight for me is sharing the elation of the beneficiaries such as Lettie Makanda who became a first-time homeowner at the age of 87 or the single mother who now has keys to an affordable rental unit for herself and her kids. For me, the opportunity to serve my community and give of myself is the most rewarding part of my position.
I wish the residents of Johannesburg a happy New Year and I hope you remained safe during this joyous period. Let us hold hands and make Johannesburg a more inclusive, safe and sustainable space for all of us and future generations.
