MMC for Community Development, Nonhlanhla Sifumba, has once again taken to the City of Johannesburg’s seven regions to check that all is in order for the opening of municipal pools on Spring Day, 1 September.
She said the 95 per cent target of opening pools that was set for this year had been reached. Only Rhodes Park, Crown Gardens and Pioneer Park pools will not open.
This year Sifumba not only checked the pools but also the recreational facilities, both of which her department had taken over the repairs and maintenance of.
“Things are looking good, but there are some challenges,” she said.
“We have just taken over repairs and maintenance from the Johannesburg Property Company for pools and recreation centres. It is not a smooth ride and we need to respect the City’s processes in terms of the handover. It is going to be a long process.”
Sifumba said now that the repairs and maintenance of pools and recreational facilities fell under her department, she would be able to ask why certain things had not been done.
“Accountability and oversight will be much easier.”
Most city pools are open during the spring and summer seasons, from 1 September to 31 March of the following year. The heated pools are open throughout the year, but there are only a few of these.
Last year, the MMC said her oversight and follow-up visits led to more than 90 per cent of the pools opening on 1 September.
“The 90 per cent achievement last year was quite encouraging and heartening as it demonstrated to our residents the resolve of the City to offer professional services with pride and to offer them services that are pro-poor.”
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