Ward 74 councillor David Fisher discussed the challenges facing his ward in 2018 and how many of them have been resolved.
During winter this year, Fisher said there were many electricity disruptions due to old and failing equipment. He explained that emergency upgrades were carried out by City Power at the Sebenza substation. “Thanks to the leadership of the MMC Nico De Jager and the dedication and professionalism of the City Power team, the first phase of the upgrade was accelerated and resulted in a vastly more stable supply,” said Fisher.
Displaced people and recyclers in parks are of serious concern to many residents who have engaged Fisher to deal with the issue. “The City has regularly cleaned up the parks and moved the displaced people on. Unfortunately, this just results in new people coming in to replace them. A permanent solution is being sought by the various role players at a high level. On the ground and as the local councillor, I work with Pikitup, City Parks and JMPD to contain it,” he said.
Fisher said that following the repair of a number of potholes across the city, it has emerged that the problem is bigger than just repairing potholes. Fisher said that next year the City will embark on a programme to resurface complete streets as was done in Westwood Avenue in Melrose North.
Fisher explained that water pressure in Birdhaven, Melrose and Melrose North was a problem over a period this year, which Joburg Water has sought to stabilise.
“Rezoning and new developments will continue to be an issue that residents will be faced with,” said Fisher. He encourages residents to support their local ratepayers’ associations which he believes play an invaluable role in monitoring and evaluating developments and looking out for the general welfare of suburbs.
Billing queries have been the source of much frustration during the year, but, according to Fisher, these are diminishing.
Looking ahead to elections next year, Fisher encourages residents to become active and engaged citizens who exercise their democratic right and responsibility to vote.
“As a society that is massively unequal, it is sometimes difficult for us in Ward 74 to conceive the difficult and challenging conditions that our neighbours in less affluent areas endure. As a pro-poor government, the City of Johannesburg will continue to prioritise the upliftment of the marginalised. This priority needs to be balanced with the requirement to maintain our established communities and to encourage them to flourish, thus stimulating the economy and increasing the low tax base out of which there are many demands,” said Fisher.
“As the year comes to an end, I would like to thank all residents for their support and encouragement, especially the many who have been active in reporting and monitoring service delivery issues. I have received support and service from the City’s various departments and it is often these special relationships that produce the extra bit of service that the residents appreciate,” he said.
“May all our residents enjoy a safe and happy holiday season and look forward to 2019 when we will continue to grow and prosper as a nation.”
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