JOBURG SOUTH – On Wednesday October 9, SOJO and KlipSA took members of the Section 79 Economic Development Committee on a guided tour of the South of Joburg to see the good, the bad and the promising.
The committee was led by Clr Willie Van Der Skyf who embraced the opportunity to engage with the private sector outside of the Inner City to find out what is happening beyond the concrete jungle.
The tour began at the Metro Civic Centre in Braamfontein with a very comprehensive presentation by Andrew Barker on SOJO and KlipSA’s background and their collaborated efforts to enhance job creation through sustainable economic growth and social development to add value to the natural assets.
Seven key drivers were presented including , investment in sustainable economic and social development, the KEEDZ Model (Klipriviersberg Economic and Ecosystem Development Zone), authority strategies and plans, spatial and economic linkages and integration, investment and development opportunities, Southern Joburg Interface and mine impacted areas. These key drivers were pointed out on route, which commenced immediately after the
presentation.
The route included the Wemmer Pan precinct where the “underutilised” reinstated musical fountains, tenant leasing difficulties, the diversified sporting activities, the dilapidated Santarama and the tourism opportunity of the hop-on-hop-off topless red bus were noted. Driving through Turffontein precinct, the various new opportunities concerning the transportation corridor, the Wits University study on Rosettenville, the historical value of the area and horse racing entertainment were some of the highlights discussed.
Further east the tour paused at Moffat Park to view how the City could make better use of the park area instead of a housing project and then beyond towards the Joburg skyline the opportunities for the City Deep freight logistics hub. The tour continued east towards the Reading Interchange where the R59 becomes the start of the southern development corridor and the Verreauxs Eagle nesting platform mast could be seen deep into the Meyers farm
valley from the freeway.
The members were taken down Klipriver Drive to see the potential for the multi-project initiatives such as KUBiC (Klipvier Urban Biodiversity Corridor) and the unlimited challenges relating to illegal dumping and general lawlessness.
The next stop was at Thaba Ya Batswana where the members of the Committee were treated to the breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve and enjoyed delicious treats and a leg stretch before proceeding to show the commercial opportunities of the Panorama node. The revival of intensive urban agricultural activities mixed with tourism and the multi sporting opportunities in the Klip Valley were described
and discussed before passing the Klipriver Recreation Centre where a future education and environmental centre is being considered.
Travelling in a westerly direction towards the hilltop of the Afrisam Quarry was the last stop before moving towards the mining belt past Southgate, Nasrec, Gold Reef City and into Crown City.
Richard Bennet from iProp explained that the developments in these mining land areas have been taking place since the 1970’s. The Committee went through the new and exciting developments in Crown City and the R2 million camera project initiated by Edcon and Tsogo Sun for the Crown City and Ormonde Precincts was discussed with opportunity to spread into other areas of the south. The tour returned to the Metro Centre.
SOJO and KlipSA were thanked by Section 79 Committee for sharing the vision and initiatives for future development and committed to promoting and assisting to ensure the correct attention and investment is attracted to realise the opportunities. At the same time, SOJO and KlipSA thanked the Committee members for their time, hospitality and commitment to promote the projects within the City’s priorities.
