RESIDENTS of Soweto gathered at a packed Orlando East Communal Hall on Saturday, 12 April, to share their views on the City’s draft Integrated Development Plan (IDP).
The session formed part of the City’s ongoing public participation efforts to engage communities directly in shaping local development priorities.
The day began with visits to stalls hosted by various City entities.
These stalls offered residents insights into service delivery initiatives and provided a platform for face-to-face engagements with City officials. Service-related queries were addressed by experts from relevant departments and municipal entities.
The Speaker of Council, Nobuhle Mthembu, in her opening remarks stressed the importance of public participation in refining the draft IDP, Budget, and proposed tariffs, emphasising that the process empowers communities to influence decisions that affect their lives.
Acting Executive Mayor Margaret Arnolds presented the draft IDP, highlighting key priorities for Region D.
These include infrastructure upgrades in water, sewer, and stormwater systems; public environment improvements; investment in early childhood development facilities; and the establishment of centres to combat gender-based violence.
“This is your plan. Without you, we cannot do anything,” said Arnolds. “Now is the time to reframe the Joburg story—from what’s broken to what’s becoming. Yes, we face real challenges, but so is our power to fix them—from restoring primary infrastructure to investing in strategic capital projects that will transform high-impact precincts and elevate our inner cities to world-class CBDs.”
She also provided an update on progress made in ongoing capital projects.
The road rehabilitation and stormwater infrastructure upgrade in Elias Motsoaledi (Ward 24) is 100% complete, while the construction of social housing in Nancefield (Ward 25) is 89% complete.
Following the presentation, residents engaged in a robust dialogue with City leadership, voicing a wide range of concerns.
These included inadequate stormwater drainage, crime, insufficient high mast lighting, limited access to health facilities, poor maintenance of public spaces, challenges with the Extended Social Package (ESP), youth unemployment, and human settlements issues.
Themba Ndlovu from Ward 26 expressed concern about the allocation of RDP houses, stating that some are occupied by foreigners while South Africans remain on the waiting list.
Gogo Maria raised a concern about access to Expanded Social Package services, noting that many elderly residents don’t have smartphones and are unable to use digital platforms.
A youth leader highlighted the lack of long-term job opportunities for young people, he also asked how local youth would benefit from the upcoming G20 Summit.
In response, the City leadership acknowledged the challenges raised and committed to addressing residents’ concerns as part of the IDP refinement process.
Arnolds also made a call for civic responsibility, urging residents to pay for municipal services to support sustainable service delivery.
“Please make sure you play your part and pay your rates and taxes so that the City can have enough revenue to roll out capital projects in your community.”
Image supplied (Soweto residents engaging with City of Joburg officials in Orlando).
