 New
projects under way in Alex
A MENTAL health clinic is to be built right in the heart of
Alexandra – a first for the township – in the latest development of
the Alexandra Renewal Project (ARP).
The clinic will help people suffering from “stress and depression,
and also [offer] rehabilitation programmes”, according to the ARP
director, Job Sithole.
Mandla Nkomfe, the Gauteng finance MEC, gave the renewal project a
R90-million boost from the provincial government in his 2011
provincial budget on 8 March. The cash will accelerate certain
developments, like the clinic and additional water and sanitation
infrastructure, says Sithole.
The ARP was set up 10 years ago, its mission to rehabilitate and
develop Alexandra, prioritising high impact economic and social
infrastructure upgrades and development such as roads, transport,
housing, water, creation of parks and other vital services.
In 2010, the project received R120-million from the province; the
budget cut this year will mean it will prioritise its programmes.
A key initiative is the completion of the housing project in Extension
2, Botshabelo. “We are serious about getting rid of informal
settlements and squatter camps. Our mission is to provide decent
housing for the people and at the same time change the face of
Alexandra.”
The housing project, expected to be completed before the end of the
year, will accommodate the last group of people living near the risky
floodlines of the Jukskei River. Since its inception, the project has
built more than 10 000 houses.
Of the new clinic, Sithole says: “We are going to work as hard as we
can to ensure that we complete this clinic as quickly as possible.”
Construction is expected to begin in June and be completed sometime
towards the end of the year.
Projects around the Jukskei are also continuing. “We will be
installing another storm water drain near the river to regulate the
flow of water.”
The ARP is also looking to build more footbridges across various roads
in Alexandra to give pedestrians a safe way of crossing. These
proposals, however, still need to be approved by the City.
Road maintenance and the construction of new roads are also crucial.
“We are working with the City to ensure our roads are maintained
regularly to prevent potholes.”
Other topics up for discussion with the City are the extension of
water and sanitation provision, and other services.
“The ARP is gradually showing visible gains for the community of
Alexandra,” said Humphrey Mmemezi, the MEC for local government and
housing, in a media statement released after the provincial budget was
tabled.
He focused on work done along the Jukskei River, where people living
below the floodline are moved to safer housing areas. He urged people
not to build on the empty space left behind. By not building in these
areas, the housing backlog could be reduced and this would lighten the
financial load on the housing department.
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