Big steps for Alexandra
SANDTON – A masterplan for the development of Alexandra township, as outlined in the Alexandra Statement of Intent, was signed on 25 June.
Alexandra is on the verge of receiving a makeover.
The signing of the Alexandra Statement of Intent document, which is a plan for the development of Alexandra, took place at the Sandton City Library on 25 June.
The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, councillor Mpho Parks Tau, invited members of the media to the historic event.
This landmark occasion marked the signing of the Statement of Intent document between the Gauteng Province Human Settlements Department, the City of Johannesburg, Alexandra Land and Property Owners Association (Alpoa), Alexandra Property Owners Rights (Apor), South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) and the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights (CRLR).
Tau said, “It was important that all the stakeholders take appropriate action to implement resolutions for the land disputes. These negotiations enabled us to unlock development in Alexandra. The past 20 years have not addressed the issues in Alexandra and it is important to resolve these issues. We are not only focusing on land in Alexandra, but also the pockets of land around the area.”
He stressed that the process was delayed by a few months as a result of mandatory legal proceedings. However, Tau stressed that the underlying principals of the ‘master plan’ for the township were agreed upon long ago.
“Today is a milestone and we can now start the process of development. We will implement a block-by-block approach to the development, resolving one piece of Alexandra at a time.”
Tau highlighted that the landowners will be permitted to access their title deeds. He further explained that the development process will include the people of Alexandra as ‘partners in development’, which means the people can contribute to the development.
He added, “Financial compensation will be given to the landowners of Alexandra when their property is sold. A primary concern is that, unfortunately, if money is allocated to a specific development and this development does not happen, the money will be shifted to another project. Therefore, we need this process to continue. We do not want to stop the process and delay it.”
He expressed his future vision for Alexandra and said that he wanted it to be a ‘model township’.
Read more:
Ignition project gives hope to Alex pupils
Legends are coming to uplift your spirits in Alex
