Ward 109 councillor Werner Smit reflected on the successes and struggles in his ward over the last year and said he is looking forward to expanding A Re Sebetseng campaigns in this area in 2018.
The ward covers areas including Marlboro, Kelvin, Eastgate, Morningside Manor and Wendywood.
Smit believes that expediting and concluding the electrification of 173 living units in the Marlboro Transit Camp is one of the greatest successes in his ward in 2017.
Smit was also pleased with getting the completely rundown Marlboro South included on the City of Joburg‘s list of areas for the Urban Development Zone status. This will give landowners and investors tax incentives via national treasury to invest in and uplift the dilapidated area.
He added that another success was getting the Thoko Mngoma Clinic construction back on track after requesting the termination of the previous main contractor for poor performance was another success.
Some of the problems he highlighted included threats of land invasion in Marlboro Gardens.
“What keeps me awake at night is the threats and attempts of land-invasion of empty city-owned plots in Marlboro Gardens. These plots are reserved for the land restitution of former landowners in Alexandra, a process nearing its 20th anniversary. We have a plan for short-term use of the land that needs to get implemented.”
He also pointed to the immense social and infrastructural challenges in Marlboro South, which he believes are the result of three decades of neglect. “Privately owned facilities and stands were invaded in the mid-90s for accommodation. Today we have dug up roads, blocked drains, a complete lack of street lights and a high crime rate.”
He added that approximately 6 000 people in ward 109 use chemical portable toilets, which are serviced weekly. Smit believes they need revised contracts and service level agreements in order to improve their quality and hygiene.
He mentioned that the issue of illegal dumping of building rubble remains a headache that needs to be resolved.
His plans for 2018 include the Mead Way Sports Club in Kelvin and the Coffee Shop Building at the Earnest Ullmann Park going to public tender.
“I do want to expand Herman Mashaba’s A Re Sebetseng monthly community-based cleanup campaigns. I do want to be more involved with Friends of Sandspruit and Ullmann Park to expand their good work and riverbank rehabilitation beyond the boundaries of the Earnest Ullman Park, toward Kramerville West and Strathavon.”
He encourages community members to get to know each other by involving themselves in residents’ associations and security forums in order to build a platform for safer communities in 2018.
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