Ekurhuleni: rebuilding a people-centred post-covid economy
SOCA summarised
A solid post-covid-19 Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan formed the backbone of Executive Mayor Cllr Mzwandile Masina’s 2021 State of the City Address, anchored on the City’s 10-point plan.
The virtual sitting was live streamed from Germiston Council Chamber, OR Tambo Government Precinct, on 24 March, under the theme of “Ushering in an era of renewed commitment and unity towards rebuilding a people centred post-covid economy”.
“The devastation of Covid-19 has been felt not only in our homes, but also in our national economy. Municipalities, including our own, have suffered the most severe losses in revenue due to loss of income by residents and business,” said Masina as he delivered his last address for this term of office.
“It has become urgent that the government at all levels begins to reconstruct our economy. Our onslaught in this battle must be a solid post-covid-19 economic reconstruction and recovery plan anchored on our 10-point plan,” emphasised the first citizen.
This will include the following:
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AEROTROPOLIS MASTER PLAN
The 30-year Aerotropolis Master Plan to drive sustainable socioeconomic development and an economic infrastructure development programme has been approved and is a partnership with other spheres of government, state-owned companies, private business and social partners.
The plan is based on building an airport city with economically resilient regions segmented into the likes of logistics corridors, research and development regions, manufacturing regions and agricultural regions. Key developments already underway are Riverfields Development Project, Plumbago Industrial Park Development Project, Green Reef Mega Project as well as OR Tambo Special Development Zone, Denel Kempton Park campus, IRPTN, Tambo Springs Inland Port and Gibela Rail Manufacturing plant.
ACCELERATION OF THE IDZ/SEZ PROGRAMME
A Gauteng Industrial Development Zone is meant to develop land around the airport to stimulate economic development on 7.5ha of land. The focus is on sectors such as food processing, jewellery, diamond beneficiation and aerospace. Already, R1.5-billion worth of investment has been obtained and an anticipated 7 000 new jobs are to be created.
LAND AVAILABILITY FOR STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT
Policies and strategies placed over the term of office to guide agricultural development programmes have resulted in the leasing of Council-owned land to support emerging and established farmers. Eleven bidders have been approved as part of the agricultural support.
Development has also been unlocked through an additional 11 SUDS, through the rapid release of 40 strategic land parcels and PPPS.
SMME SUPPORT THROUGH PUBLIC PROCUREMENT
Enterprise development promotes and supports programmes for various categories and sectors of SMMES, including: Mentorship – such as furniture manufacturing, protective clothing, automotive services, contractor development, Incubation – since 2016, a total of 262 businesses participated in the incubation programme that saw
105 participants graduate in contractor development, furniture manufacturing, protective clothing, business plan development and general coaching mentorship,
Tender advice centre – in 2017/18 saw 162 people trained.
MASSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT
Since 2016:
• SUDS implementation to unlock R300-billion in investment – so far R80-billion is unlocked
SEZ programme facilitated to unlock R7-billion Approval and implementation of Ekurhuleni Investment and Development Facilitation Framework and Matrix as a mechanism to fast-track strategic investments
Rand value of investments attracted over the past five years include Prasa Gibela, Teraco Data Centre, ACSA expansion programme, S&J Industrial Investment, Riverfields Investment along R21,
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industrial/manufacturing investment such as GZI can manufacturing and Komatsu.
SKILLS, CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Employment prospects of the youth improved, in partnership with the private sector, implemented through 14 local youth offices that provided business training, funding application and referrals to support programmes. Over 6 332 youth were appointed to work readiness programmes and internships.
Bursary funding increased from R10-million to R100million in 2017 and the scheme has benefited almost 9 000 Ekurhuleni residents; over R470-million was spent on developing local skills base.
INFRASTRUCTURE, BUILT PROGRAMME AND SERVICE DELIVERY
At the onset of this term of office the “pro-poor’ agenda was introduced as the guiding philosophy. With this came the Siyaqhuba Mayoral Outreach programme, adopted to ensure service delivery issues are rapidly responded to.
Human Settlements:
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• • • • 16 mega projects implemented, including Esselen Park, Tembisa Ext 25, Leeuwpoort, John Dube Village, Van Dyk Park, Palm Ridge Ext 10. delivered 42 773 housing units and 26 543 services stands. bulk infrastructure installed will provide 210 000 housing units. electrification of 40 informal settlements chemical toilets increased from 1:10 to 1:5 reblocked 46 settlements
39 townships regularised and 33 605 title deeds distributed.