Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
Johannesburg 14 October 1999
Minister Mthembi - Mahanyele;
MEC Mashatile;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen
On behalf of the Gauteng Provincial Government and its citizens, I would like to extend warm greetings to all of you, especially our foreign guests.
Your presence signifies the kind of relationship that enables us, through the sharing of knowledge and experiences, to succeed in our efforts.
One of the significant agreements reached at the Presidential Jobs Summit last year, was the commitment by all stakeholders to a housing programme, which would combine various forms of ownership. In addition, the ANC manifesto committed us as government to, among others, the following:
In this respect, today is a great day for the province in general and for Johannesburg in particular. The project we are launching is in line with our election mandate. I want to place on record the deep appreciation of the people of Gauteng in general and of Newtown in particular for the steps which have been taken by the department of Housing, COPE, Grinaker and the Johannesburg Housing Corporation in rising to the call of making a 'better life for all'.
This project is remarkable for the scope of its vision and for the depth of the detail it encompsses. It further demonstrates government's commitment to the delivery of quality housing services. The project complements some of the Provincial Government's broad strategic priorities namely, quality service delivery, good governance, job creation and economic growth.
This launch signals a splendid partnership and greater co-operation between the private sector, civil society and government. As this project starts unlocking the problem of limited public resources, so will its beneficiaries multiply - from the supplier of building material to the small building contractor, from the newly employed to those who will occupy these dwellings.
A definitive fragmented urban form is still evident in all the towns and cities of Gauteng. In general, the areas of highest residential density are the townships, which are located on the periphery of the urban area.
Consequently, our people are mostly removed from job opportunities and resources.
The problems of this phenomenon are the direct and indirect cost of peripheral development - the creation of inefficiently and ineffectively developed cities or towns as well as the likelihood of continued urban sprawl.
The Newtown Village High Density Project seeks to contribute to the changing of these skewed patterns of urban development in our province by integrating all communities regardless of class or social status - often referred to as the disadvantaged and affluent communities respectively. At the same time it is contributing to the rejuvenation of the inner city. It enhances a momentous process of change, blazing a trail towards a secure future for all. In addition, this project contributes in bringing the construction of sports facilities and other amenities closer to the formally disadvantaged communities.
It is important to note that through the Department of Local Government and Development Planning we are finalising the 'Gauteng Spatial Development Framework' (GSDF) that would guide decisions relating to the location and nature of physical development in our province. This framework would further contribute towards a more efficient, effective and equitable settlement pattern.
The foundation has been laid- the building is in progress. Let us roll up our sleeves in partnerships for change. Let us build this country of our dreams, together. As is stated in the ANC election manifesto, "Reduction of the number of homeless poor must become a practical measure of our success."
I thank you.
Issued by Thabo Masebe
Spokesperson for the Premier
Tel: 082 551 4945