JOBURG HOST IDP @KASIBCNEWS

JOBURG HOST IDP @KASIBCNEWS

The City of Johannesburg held an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) session at Marlboro Community Hall in Region E on Thursday, 10 April 2025. This vital community engagement platform enabled residents to interact directly with city leadership, voice concerns, and help shape Johannesburg’s development priorities.

The session, chaired by Council Speaker Cllr Nobuhle Mthembu, was attended by members of the mayoral committee, the chief whip of council, local councillors, and senior officials. Executive Mayor Cllr Dada Morero led the proceedings, outlining the city’s roadmap for service delivery and key interventions to improve quality of life across Region E.

“We are committed to building trust through transparency, getting the basics right, and placing people at the heart of development,” said Mayor Morero. “This includes long-term planning for bulk infrastructure, addressing the illegal erection of structures, and tackling air pollution.”

The mayor highlighted several priorities, including cemetery maintenance, repairing burst water pipes, crime prevention, by-law enforcement, road resurfacing, dealing with illegal electricity connections, and promoting economic opportunities through skills development.

Residents used the platform to express concerns about persistent service delivery issues, including potholes, rising crime, noise pollution, inadequate by-law enforcement, and incomplete Rea Vaya bus stations—particularly along Louis Botha Avenue, which some say contribute to criminal activity. Residents of Ward 75 in Alexandra also raised the long-standing issue of the permanently closed Rotary Sports Field. Once a vibrant community space, it was repurposed into a temporary container housing project that remains unoccupied—leaving local children without a vital recreational facility.

In response, city officials shared ongoing interventions such as the installation of solar-powered high-mast lights in Alexandra to enhance safety during power outages and ease pressure on the electricity grid. The Johannesburg Roads Agency is also upgrading traffic infrastructure, installing new traffic signals and replacing outdated cables and controllers.

The 2025/2026 IDP is built on principles of equity, inclusivity, and responsiveness. The city’s budget continues to prioritise historically underserved communities, with a strong commitment that no area or resident is left behind. “This is a people-driven plan, informed by community voices and underpinned by strong partnerships and shared responsibility,” affirmed Mayor Morero.

As Johannesburg advances its development agenda, the IDP sessions remain a cornerstone of participatory governance—fostering accountability, empowering communities, and laying the foundation for a more inclusive and equitable urban future.