New MMC for Community Development hopes to bring change in Rabie Ridge
RABIE RIDGE – MMC for Community Development, Margeret Arnolds was welcomed by Ward 80 councillor, Makgoba Pagadi to show her the development backlog they are faced with.
Newly appointed MMC for Community Development, Margaret Arnolds visited the Rabie Ridge community on 23 January to do a walkabout.
Arnolds was welcomed by Ward 80 councillor, Makgoba Pagadi, who took her to the Kanana Sports Ground, Kanana Community Hall and the Rabie Ridge Hall, to show her the issues the community are faced with on a daily basis.
The MMC said the reason for her visit was prompted by the fact that Rabie Ridge was among the areas of Johannesburg that were neglected and not serviced. “The cries of the community, especially about their recreation, facilities and sports grounds, play a major role where the abuse of drugs is done.”
When arriving at the Kanana Sports Ground, Arnolds explained her concerns regarding the state of the facilities, “My concern is that the facilities are rundown and unattended to. Security and infrastructure are both a matter of concern.
“Dust and gravel cause illnesses as there is no grass on those tracks, which is used for jogging mornings and evenings,” she said. “We need to also educate our communities not to vandalise but take ownership of their facilities.”
Arnolds reassured the community that the issues have been recorded and work will start soon as possible at the sports field. “Directors of the region are also looking at how to assist in quick fixes, other major fixes will be left for the budget process which will be in the next financial year but we will be able to utilise the facilities.”
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Pagadi thanked the MMC for her visit saying that it has given the community hope that the City is very serious about the calls from the community. “It shows they are prepared to solve issues within their 100 days in the office, I’m feeling very honoured as a ward councillor.”
Pagadi added that there are still a number of issues that have to be fixed as some of them have been there since 2016. “Some of the challenges still in existence in our community are housing or land development, electrification of informal settlements and formalisation, crime and drug abuse, illegal dumpers, title deeds and mixed addresses among others. But I am satisfied with the walkabout after she left I became hopeful and saw some change upon attending some of the issues raised.”
