Benoni licence centre reopens
Centre manager at Benoni DLTC Vincent Ditshego explained the Benoni licence centre had to close on July 3 due to a reported Covd-19 case.
This was also to allow for Covid-19 management, as per the metro’s guidelines.
This includes deep-cleaning and disinfection, which took place over the weekend, as well as screening and testing.
“We have reopened to ensure service delivery continues for members of the public.
“The centre was open for business as usual on July 6,” he said.
Ekurhuleni to put more residents in decent homes
Plans are underway to reduce the housing backlog in the metro, according to the metro’s spokesperson, Themba Gadebe.
“The Leeuwpoort massive project is one of five mega projects in the metro, it has set a new standard for sustainable human settlements, and will provide a minimal yield of 22 000 housing opportunities,” he said.
The Leeuwpoort project sees the integration of three residential development areas two in the north (Parkdene Extension Seven and Reiger Park Ext 19), and one in the southern part near Sunward Park.
Gadebe explained that it aims to create well-designed, sustainable, integrated and secure neighbourhoods.
“This will enhance the value of property ownership for residents upgrading and integrating the urban environment and quality of life around Reiger Park, as well as stimulate integration between Sunward Park and Windmill Park.
“Boksburg links the metro?s towns of Germiston and Alberton in the west with Brakpan and Springs in the east.
“The housing development is situated to the south of the Boksburg CBD on both sides of the N17 highway.
“The construction has created over 250 job opportunities in the 2019/2020 financial year, which is expected to increase as the project continues through to 2024,” he said.
Gadebe added that the new development will benefit informal settlement dwellers from Joe Slovo, Boksburg, Ulana Park, Hlahane, Driefontein, Crossroads (Roodekop Ext Three), Vosloorus, Kalamazoo and Katlehong.
“At a cost of around R2-billion, this project has been implemented in phases and construction will take approximately seven years, with final completion around 2024.
“This is part of the metro?s promise to deliver 100 000 houses”.
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Budget speech casts spotlight on township businesses
Lack of structured assistance for local communities to participate in the local economy will be a thing of the past.
Business enterprises operating in the townships within the metro have received a major boost as government rolls out the township economy revitalisation plan.
The plan is set to assist entrepreneurs in the metro to flourish by putting aside over 9 000 hectares of land targeted for industrial development.
The metro’s plan is to have these township enterprises becoming sources of employment and help bring the township economy into the mainstream.
When delivering the budget speech, MMC for Finance Nkosindiphile Xhakaza said there is an ongoing process of the identification of 30 properties for industrial development that are more than 4 000 square metres, suitably zoned for industrial purposes in townships.
“A further 99 properties that are less than 5 000 square metres, suitably zoned for commercial purposes, have been identified in townships.
“The empowerment of township economy is key as townships are bursting with underrated businesses that need support in order to thrive.”
Isaac Nkosi, a local entrepreneur from Etwatwa, said the township economy is a potential gold mine and could generate prosperity and jobs from within.
“The Gauteng Township Economy Revitalisation Strategy states government needs to ensure appropriate finance and funding instruments are available for township businesses.
“Government will need to consider the creation of a state-owned bank which will help fund the township economy,” said Nkosi.
