The days of call centres and incompetent operators could become a distant memory. The City of Johannesburg has introduced a new way of identifying and addressing community needs, and it appears as if it has the potential to bear fruit.
On Tuesday 12 November the City’s Region C held a public meeting at Roodepoort Athletic Stadium in Ruimsig. This was a consultation process with the community and an introduction to the City’s new process of rolling out Community Based Planning (CBP) concepts in wards 89, 97 and 126. Ward 89 councillor Ingrid Reinten said she was excited about the new system and believes it will give power and ownership to residents.
According to Region C assistant director for Citizen Relations Urban Management (Crum) Yolande Janse van Rensburg, the aim of the CBP is for the City and the community to jointly analyse and formulate community needs and to feed information into the Integrated Development Plan and budgeting process.
“This process will build on the strengths and opportunities of each area and will not only address problems,” explained Janse van Rensburg.
During the meeting, attended by less than 50 residents, officials and residents identified problems within each and all wards.
Illegal taxi ranks, faulty street lights, dumping and overgrown grass in parks, open spaces and on pavements were discussed as concerns affecting all wards.
Issues identified as affecting specific wards included:
Ward 89: The city’s negligence in addressing traffic problems on 9th and 14th Avenues in Fairlands and Weltevreden Park.
Ward 97: The lack of a police station and public schools in Ward 97. The creation of a satellite station was suggested.
Ward 126: The need for extending the Weltevreden Park Clinic.
Attendees were required to fill in two forms, one regarding service delivery and one regarding CBP. As regards the CBP form, residents were requested to jot down 10 issues which they felt needed priority as well as a partnership programme that they feel they can jointly work on with the city.
Ward 89 Councillor Ingrid Reinten expressed her disappointment regarding the poor turnout of community members, particularly those in her ward who she personally invited.
Councillor for Ward 97 Jaco Engelbrecht, who was not present at the meeting due to illness, said he believes the programme could work and would be of benefit to the community.
Ward 126 councillor Mike Tonkin could not be reached for comment at time of going to print.
A second meeting it set for March 2014 where the City will provide feedback on progress.
Ward 89 covers Weltevreden Park, Constantia Kloof North, Panorama AH and Fairlands.
Ward 97 covers a portion of Wilropark, a portion of Allen’s Nek, Ruimsig, Laser Park, Little Falls, Radiokop, Wilgeheuwel, Struben’s Valley, Rietfontein and Zonnehoewe.
Ward 126 covers a portion of Allen’s Nek, a portion of Randpark Ridge and a portion of Weltevreden Park.
Details: Yolande Janse van Rensburg 011 761 0413.
