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River Park - Title Deeds
Making right choices
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102 lives changed for the be�er
The following remarks were delivered by the
Johannesburg
Execu�ve Mayor during the handing over of �tle deeds to beneficiaries in Lombardy East, in Region E of the City. The Execu�ve Mayor was joined by the MMC for
Housing, Cllr Mlungisi Mabaso.
The past few weeks, and even this day, bring into sharp focus the complexity of the work that the Mul�-Party Government has to do in order to truly repair and rebuild Joburg in a manner that ensures an equitable delivery of services to all 6-million residents of the City, across its seven regions. For example, while the MMC for Housing, Cllr Mlungisi Mabaso, and I stand here to issue �tle deeds to 102 beneficiaries, who will now have ownership of their homes, there are residents gathering at the Metro Centre to express an opinion that this rela�vely new Joburg Mul�-Party Government is not delivering services. Mayoral Priority Number 5 is about building an inclusive City, which means that we are working around the clock to make every corner of
Joburg a place where residents have all the ameni�es they need to live a quality life with access to housing and job opportuni�es. This priority applies to the residents of the City, whether here in River Park or in Soweto.
As the City, we will never abdicate our responsibili�es, but we also have a duty to deliver services in an equitable manner, especially when it comes to addressing historical backlogs caused by poor leadership and a poor understanding of the needs and aspira�ons of residents. We will therefore never direct service delivery efforts in a way that compromises one community in favour of another.
This a�ernoon, residents of Soweto will be marching on the City to express their dissa�sfac�on with service delivery in the area
– par�cularly around the issues of electricity and policing. It is important to state upfront that Soweto is supplied by Eskom and that the policing issues raised relate to the South African Police Service (SAPS), we have therefore invited these two Na�onal Government structures to be present to receive the group’s memorandum of demands.
Equally, as the Mul�-Party Government we will receive the memorandum of demand and escalate the issues to the relevant authority. Where ma�ers relate to the municipality, we will address them in order to find long-term and las�ng solu�ons.
As the Mul�-Party Government, we will never shy away from our mandated responsibili�es to all 6-million residents of Joburg, in fact we are proac�ve in our delivery of services, but we are also responsive when it is required of us. That is the nimble nature of this mul�-party administra�on that has been entrusted to lead Joburg un�l 2026.
The issuing of 102 �tle deeds today, was not something that happened overnight; it is the outcome of consulta�on between the City and residents, and a response to the needs of this community, who have opted for ownership rather than rental.
Title Deeds
B e n e f i c i a r i e s o f Ti t l e d e e ds
26
Construction SA Magazine• July 2022
Service delivery to people A �tle deed is an important document as it confirms ownership, recognised by law, and provides the �tle deed holder with security of tenure for genera�ons to come. In many ways, this is the start of breaking genera�onal curses caused by apartheid, a system that sought to limit land and asset ownership among the majority.
While we acknowledge the past and the pain and scarring it s�ll causes, today is about the start of a new era for 102 �tle deed beneficiaries and their families. In the same vein, on 1 July, when the Mul�-Party Government’s R77,3-billion budget comes into effect, residents will see further improvements in service delivery programmes, which seek to transform Joburg into a City of Golden Opportuni�es.
The changes will not happen overnight, but it will be a gradual yet deliberate programme of service delivery for all residents across the City, not just some.
MMC Mlungisi Mabaso has been tasked with reimagining housing, so that we can address the housing backlog in an innova�ve, quicker, and cheaper way that does not compromise the quality and sustainability of housing.
This also means addressing corrup�on in the system, that o�en undermines service delivery because those who have been wai�ng for housing and housing opportuni�es are o�en overlooked in favour of those who are willing to pay a bribe. We are working �relessly to end this prac�ce. When you see and hear these nefarious acts happening, alert the relevant authori�es.
Construction SA Magazine • July 2022
City of Joburg
The municipality commit to delivering the necessary services to ensure you live a quality life.
