Not surprisingly, each association asked at least two questions about some municipal peculiarity endemic to their neck of the ward.
To my surprise, each association reserved a tough line of questioning with regards to the Braamfontein Spruit.
“What are you going to do to improve the cleanliness of the spruit?” the Craigpark Residents Association wanted to know; “How are you going to get people back to the spruit?” asked the Parkmore Community Association, while Hurlingham residents wanted to know what my five-step programme to deal with displaced people along the spruit would be.
As a young councillor I was daunted by the questions. In the years since my election and subsequent re-election, the Braamfontein Spruit became both the bane of my existence and a space of true enjoyment in our decaying urban jungle.
As a resident living on the banks of the spruit, I am aware of the manifold challenges. But there have been some victories: regular clean-ups paid for by residents associations are now in place; police and private security companies regulary raid to remove illegal elements; and cyclists, dog walkers, bird watchers, horse riders and kite flyers all seem to be reclaiming their little bit of the spruit.
Better if not perfect. But then, Johannesburgers don’t do “better”. We strive for “the best”.
As a resident reminded me by email, “Why can’t it be more? Why can’t it be our Central Park?”
The question got me thinking.
Having done a stint at the United Nations in New York city last year, I spent much of my time embracing the magic that is Central Park.
What makes that park unique is not that it’s located in the centre of possibly the richest city in the world, but rather the respect, love and deference shown to the park by all New Yorkers, be it Mayor Bloomberg or the everyday resident from the Bronx.
I am aware of the love we have for the spruit here in the suburbs, as far afield as Sunninghill. What we lack is the deference of a mayor.
Perhaps we should rename the spruit “Central Parks Tau”?
A Central Park for Johannesburg – why not indeed!
