Mayor bridges the gap

The City of Johannesburg unveiled a new pedestrian bridge in the Kaalfontein community on 4 October.

The bridge measures 102m in length, cost about R121 million and will serve as a link between Ext 2 and 5 in Ward 92. The unveiling was attended by Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg Herman Mashaba and MMC for Transport Nonhlanhla Makhuba.

Johannesburg Roads Agency Acting manager director Siya Ndou said, “Before the construction of the pedestrian bridge, school kids were struggling to get to school and residents were struggling to get to their neighbouring communities, clinics and other amenities due to the existing stream not being safe for crossing especially during the rainy season. All this will be a thing of the past.”

Ward 92 councillor Violet Chauke said the new bridge was something the community could be proud of and would assist in connecting the two communities together.

Makhuba said the bridge was a milestone in the community. She added, “We recently kicked off the National Transport Month programme… Today we are once again happy to open another pedestrian bridge in Kaalfontein to give the residents better mobility.”

Mashaba started to address the crowd but was initially interrupted by members of the South African National Civic Organisation and the African National Congress who chanted ‘Mashaba must fall’.

A brief argument between the two parties ensued before Mashaba commenced with his address.

He welcomed the new bridge as a form of social cohesion. “The bridge is very crucial to bringing the Kaalfontein community together,” he said.

Details: www.joburg.org.za

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https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/225311/mashaba-says-suspended-firefighters-will-not-affect-services/