Projects & Progress

Key Achievements by April 2006

The ARP has passed the midway point of its 7 year implementation process. While the Project is now undertaking major visible delivery, a significant range of projects had been successfully completed by April 2006. These included among others:

Housing Projects

• 7000 families relocated from the banks of the Jukskei River.
• Approximately 1200 housing units built in Ext 8 and the Reconstruction Area.
• MOU’s signed in respect of land parcels in areas surrounding Alexandra.
• Approximately 3000 houses built for relocation purposes.
• A new company to manage rental housing stock established [ASHCO]
• Three rental housing projects initiated in Marlboro Gardens, Westlake and Frankenwald.
• The design, costing and project feasibility phase of the Transfer of Housing and upgrading of existing houses and backyard shacks in Old Alexandra projects completed.
• 5438 residential stands being transferred from City Council to qualifying households.

Urban Services

Engineering

• Master planning undertaken for all services [water, sanitation, solid waste, roads, stormwater drainage and electricity].
• CCTV inspections undertaken of sewers and stormwater drains and an above ground audit of services.
• Bulk water and outfall sewer projects substantially complete.
• Approximately 46 000 new hygienic refuse bins distributed.
• Large sections of the Jukskei River rehabilitated and eroded banks repaired and protected.
• Community based cleanup projects undertaken to clean the river of rubbish and solid debris.
• Gravel roads on the East Bank were surfaced.
• Roads in old Alex were repaired.
• Bridge and 2nd carriageway added to  London Road.
• New roads designed in accordance with the overall transportation plan.
• 6445 new pre-paid electrical connections installed.
• Street lighting and semi-overhead electrical system.

Planning & Environment

• Management framework, urban development framework and local road network framework prepared.
• GIS developed.
• Environmental monitoring and control mechanisms established.
• Water and air quality monitoring system established and ongoing.
• 5 township registers opened.
• 5 precinct plans prepared.
• 5 new parks completed.
• Phases 1 and 2 of the cemetery upgrading completed.
• More than 6524 trees have been planted.

Local Economic Development

• Economic Development Strategy finalised.
• Local Business Support Centre established to provide assistance to small and medium entrepreneurs.
• Plans finalised for 3 large economic nodes, namely Wynberg, Kew and Pan Africa.
• Implementation of the Pan Africa node commenced.
• New stalls for informal traders and public toilet facilities in Pan Africa.
• Bus and taxi ranks paved and tarred.
• Key sectors identified that offer potential work opportunities for the residents of Alexandra.
• Cluster Coordinators appointed for the construction, retail and personal services and auto sectors.
• Auto mechanics without formal training will be assisted with further training, and later assisted to find jobs or start their own businesses.
• Centre managers appointed for the Employment Opportunity Services Centre.
• Training of retailers undertaken.
• The Alex Campus upgraded to serve as an assessment centre in the auto and transport services.
• Training of contractors undertaken on an ongoing basis in tendering for construction and introduction to computer skills.
• Fifty construction workers trained at the Alex Motswedi Centre in bricklaying and carpentry.
• Short term gains are being realized through offering work opportunities created through the implementation of the Project to the residents of Alexandra.

Social Infrastructure

Education

• Renovations made to 17 schools in Alexandra.
• The development of the Kwabhekilanga Multi-Code Sport Facility.
• Extensive training in the schools of teachers, governance bodies, support staff, management and administrative staff.
• A student forum established.
• Learner leadership training undertaken as part of the RCL Learner Leadership Project.
• Foundation phase training in Science and Technology.
• Existing crèche upgraded to Child and Family Resource Centre.
• Early Childhood Development practitioners assisted by the Resource Centre through provision of training and educational toys.
• Nokuthula school for mentally challenged children relocated to an old factory building donated by ARP while new school buildings are constructed in Marlboro.

Health

• Upgrading of Edenvale Hospital underway to improve facilities,
• Staff training provided to Edenvale Hospital staff.
• East Bank Clinic upgraded.
• Skills development of clinic staff undertaken.
• Three new ambulances procured to improve delivery to the area.
• A HIV/Aids strategy formulated. Testing sites established.
• Training on HIV is undertaken both generally in the community and through the schools.
• HIV/AIDS Hospice developed and AIDS orphans being cared for.
• Care Workers trained to provide home based care for terminally ill patients.
• Pre- and ante-natal care for women and their children provided.
• Child immunisation programme established to reduce illnesses in the community.

Heritage

• Design of the Alexandra Heritage Information Centre precinct completed and implementation underway.
• Tourism route for Alexandra with marking along the route developed.
• History of Alexandra documented through extensive interaction with the community. The history to be published in the form of a book.
• Visual and performing arts showcased extensively since inception through activities such as the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the Alexandra 90th Anniversary celebrations.

Public Safety & Security

• Development and implementation of Counter Land Invasion Strategy.
• New Alex SAPS Station.
• Donated 3 Metro Police vans for night patrols in the township and to improve response times.
• Participated in the development of a nodal point by metro police.
• Development of the Alex Disaster Management Plan.
• Planning and establishment of a temporary transit area at Ext 7.
• Development of the Alexandra Transit Village with 527 short-term housing units.
• Improved conditions and management of the Marlboro Transit Facility.
• Training of 822 volunteer community marshalls.

Sports & Recreation

• The upgrading of the Alexandra Stadium to serve as a training ground for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
• Upgrading of Altrek Sports Centre including soccer facilities and a multi-code combi court.
• Upgrading of No. Three Square Sports Centre with facilities for basket ball, and tennis courts.
• Alex's first rugby grounds and a new eight-track athletics stadium at Kwabhekilanga High School.
• Sports Facilities at the Transit Village.

Welfare

• Welfare needs assessment survey undertaken.
• Community based office set up.
• Investigation into the viability of integrated management and coordinated social service delivery completed.
• Database of service providers in Alexandra developed and officials trained in its use.
• Funding strategy for the delivery of social services in Alexandra developed in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare.
• 50 project leaders and managers trained in project management.
• An audit of ECD facilities undertaken and a strategy formulated.
• 300 parents trained in effective parenting.
• A baseline study undertaken on the extent of teenage pregnancy in Alexandra.
• Ongoing programmes to train young people about the threat of HIV/AIDS.
• Basic sexual health and reproductive training undertaken in 8 primary schools.
• Two offices constructed at the Brown House facility to offer comprehensive victim support.
• New brick and mortar facilities for Bombani Safe House, allowing it to accommodate an additional 30 abused women and children.
• Caregivers and 20 ward committee members trained on HIV/Aids and basic counselling.
• Regular training held to educate social grant beneficiaries about their responsibilities and rights.