‘Development should not be parachuted to us’

Orlando East residents held a community meeting at the Communal Hall on Saturday.

The meeting was meant to discuss a variety of issues pertaining to development of their area.

Prepaid, housing and the Orlando East Rugby No1 Project were some of the issues discussed at the meeting.

The inclusion of some parts of Orlando to Diepkloof was also touched on but no conclusion was reached on the matter. The Deeds Office was invited to address housing issues which affect many people in Orlando.

Representatives from the Deeds Office explained to residents how to go about getting their title deeds.

The installation of prepaid meters for electricity and water was rejected by residents as well.

Seth Mazibuko who is the chairman of the Orlando Task Team said, “What angers the people about the prepaid issue is that they were not properly consulted when the project was proposed.”

Residents say the government should not implement a “one size fit all” method because Orlando has pensioners and unemployed residents who cannot afford to pay for services.

According to Mazibuko, “There must be a special economic and social development support plan or programme for Orlando East that considers its history, heritage, population categories and economic levels.”

The resolution from the meeting was that development in Orlando East shall never take place without public participation and consultation beyond party politics.

In the meeting it was decided that the Orlando East Rugby No1 Project must be put on hold until next year after the local government elections.

This decision was taken because residents and the OTT believe that the project is being used by councillors to canvas for votes.

The community feel that it should be part of the appointment process of the contractors and the labour force should be from Orlando.  A new database of suppliers for the project must be formed with the participation of residents.

“Development should not be parachuted to us as the people. We need to participate in the development of our area,” said Mazibuko.

A petition has been submitted to the City of Joburg and the Legislature on behalf of residents to force the councillor to step down.

Issues pertaining heritage and the history of Orlando were touched on as well.

It was concluded that the name of Orlando Stadium should not be changed.

The decaying and the neglect of the Number Two Grounds and tennis court (now falling under Diepkloof) must be given a revamp and brought back to its full glory. Historical schools such as Emthonjeni Primary School must be reinstated into heritage sites of Mooki Street.

Families, parties or organisations and individuals which form part of the Mooki Street Heritage Route must not be sidelined. Prominent people who come from Orlando East should be recognised by naming places after them.

These people include Sophie Tema, Jonas Gwangwa, Mary Thwala, Jomo and Scara Sono, Bregilia Bham, Judge Masite and the Lehobo family.

Finally an Orlando East Indaba was proposed to discuss how the history and heritage of the area can be used for social and economic development. Issues of sports and recreation and business would also be discussed on that summit.

By the end of March next year this summit must have Members of the Orlando Task Team been called so that it informs the Orlando East Development Strategy (ODS).

“There will be no development of Orlando East, without the people of Orlando East,” that was the conclusion from the meeting. Ward councillor Sechaba Khumalo disputed claims that residents are not consulted about development in their area.

“The last time I checked we were working together with the task team and I didn’t know that the Orlando East Rugby No1 project was placed on hold.”

He dismissed allegations of using the project to canvas for votes as baseless and untrue.

Regarding a petition to force him to step down, Khumalo said, “I thought that was just a rumour but you have confirmed it to me. I’m waiting for the day where I will be called to state my side of the story.”

@MzwaJourno