Section where you can post developements, that don't have a thread of their own, discuss and post photos of Soweto

Soweto to get a second state hospital
20 August 2010

http://www.mediaclubsouthafrica.com/images/stories/august2010/jabulani-text.jpg
Construction of Jabulani Hospital is back on track.

Construction of Soweto’s second state hospital, Jabulani, is back on track after being stalled for more than two years.

This is welcome news for South Africa’s biggest township, whose existing healthcare system is under heavy pressure.

The project has been plagued by delays after a joint venture between construction companies collapsed in 2007, said Gauteng’s Department of Infrastructure Development.

The leading firm at the time, Ilima, set out to continue on its own without its three initial partners, but the project was “still far from completion” when its contract expired in May 2008.

Although Ilima was granted a second contract in August 2008, the agreement was terminated a month later after “poor performance”, the department said.

Illima and the provincial department are now locked in a court battle over funding. “We will be recovering some of our money from the company for the work it didn’t do,” said MEC for infrastructure development, Faith Mazibuko, at media briefing at the hospital construction site on 19 August 2010.

A new contractor, Maziya General Services, has recently taken over the project and the government is happy with its progress.

The completion deadline has been set for December 2011, and the department is confident there will be no more delays.

“Maziya is promising,” Mazibuko said. “The contractor is committed. They are working very hard.”

The 2009 financial crunch also stalled the project, said Mazibuko. “The country and indeed the province experienced one of the worst economic meltdowns in recent memory. This led to a lack of funding for this project ...”

Relieving pressure at Baragwanath

R536-million (US$73-million) is being spent on the three-storey Jabulani Hospital, named after the section of Soweto it’s being built in. It will be a state-of-the-art public facility with 300 beds and well-equipped to address healthcare needs in the highly populated area.

Soweto, South Africa’s most famous township, is in south-west Johannesburg and home to between 2- and 3-million people. Most of its residents cannot afford private healthcare.

It’s hoped the new facility will ease the bottleneck at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital – the only existing government hospital in Soweto. “It will assist us in alleviating the pressure at Baragwanath,” Mazibuko said.

Baragwanath is the biggest hospital in the southern hemisphere. It’s situated in the section of Diepkloof, but has to accommodate patients from the township’s almost 30 districts.

“Everyone believes that when they go to Baragwanath they get healed. You even find people travelling from Zola section,” Mazibuko said. “We want to alleviate that pressure so that Baragwanath remains an academic hospital.”

Jabulani, also referred to as the Zola Gateway Hospital, is now 42% complete, according to Mazibuko. Supporting buildings, like the 32-body-capacity mortuary and the kitchen, are also almost complete.

Clinic near the hospital

Jabulani Hospital is connected to the Zola Gateway Clinic, whose name is likely to be changed as there’s an existing Zola Clinic.

Zola Gateway Clinic, which visibly impressed journalists at the briefing, was completed in 2009. But the R13-million ($1.8-million) facility is yet to be used, as the provincial Department of Health has ordered minor structural changes and some additions.

These involve increasing the number of consultation rooms, which currently stand at 11, and getting more equipment. Most of the furniture, including patient beds, has been moved in and is ready for use.

But it won’t be long until the clinic opens: “We’re hoping the Department of Health will take occupation soon,” Mazibuko said.

^^ http://main.constructionreviewonline.com/images/dec_jan/sa13-dec_jan09.jpg

New homes for Soweto residents

Since late 2008 more than 900 houses have been built on the 18 000ha site, which will eventually accommodate between 24 000 and 25 000 dwellings. It’s Gauteng’s biggest government housing project.

“Every week we will be moving people into Lufhereng,” said Ruby Mathang, a leading official in the City of Johannesburg’s housing department.

The new project’s beneficiaries are primarily Doornkop and Zuurbult farm labourers and residents, as well as people from Protea South informal settlement and elsewhere in Soweto.

All these individuals registered for government’s social housing scheme in 1996 and 1997, including 79-year-old pensioner Nomfesane Mthula, who’s lived in the Protea South informal settlement since 1982.

Lufhereng is a mixed housing project, meaning it has residences available for free, for the unemployed; and houses for middle- to high-income earners, who qualify for a bond.

In the future it will also have houses for rent, schools, a business complex and other facilities.

“Families with differing income levels will have access to an array of different accommodation options,” said Johannesburg’s mayor Amos Masondo. “The demand for housing remains high.”

Farming to continue

The farmland on which Lufhereng is being built won’t disappear completely, as the government plans to set aside a portion of 480ha for cultivating crops.

This will benefit the experienced and aspiring farmers of the area, according to the Gauteng provincial government.

Black Economic Empowerment cooperatives will also be able to cash in on the agri-business scheme and Gauteng expects 10 000 jobs to be created through agricultural opportunities there.

Breaking new ground

The Lufhereng project is one of many that the government is leading as part of its policy called Breaking New Ground.

About 8 000 housing projects are under way across the country thanks to this concept, which aims to speed up development of new formal settlements and eradicate slums.

The housing department was allocated R15-billion (US$2-billion) in the 2010 national budget to build new houses and has intensified its fight against corruption, which has plagued the sector over the years and seen many houses being handed over to incorrect owners.

The Special Investigating Unit has been roped in to probe 20 “problematic housing projects” across the country, as well as private contractors and employees of the department.

I have to tell you guys, I am in love with Soweto. Visit quite often - thanks to my job - and it is spectacular on all fronts.

I have to tell you guys, I am in love with Soweto. Visit quite often - thanks to my job - and it is spectacular on all fronts.

Soweto is amazing, 5-10 years it won't be a Rosebank, but the difference won't be much in terms of amenities, shopping and lifestyle experience. This is largely fueled by its tourism and cultural potential that is beginning to take shape. When you pass through Vilakazi street, Thokoza park, Maponya Mall, Baragwanath area, Diepklook extension and Jabulani mall, you begin to see the future Soweto taking shape right there.

This is the next place the Gautrain must go and once this is done, you have completed the puzzle to integrate black and white and realise Mandela's dream! VIVA Soweto. LOL

^^
keen to follow the developments in soweto. many positive things going on there.
there was a statement from bombela, i think, which outlined possible extension to gautrain and soweto was in there. so you might get your wish yet.

Article on http://www.joburg.org.za about the ongoing construction of the Soweto Theatre. Should be finished by the end of the year.

http://www.joburg.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6170&catid=88&Itemid=266

http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2011/Feb/sowetotheatre_top.jpg

:)

Article on http://www.joburg.org.za about the ongoing construction of the Soweto Theatre. Should be finished by the end of the year.

http://www.joburg.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6170&catid=88&Itemid=266

http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2011/Feb/sowetotheatre_top.jpg
:)


Exciting to see this is steaming ahead!

Motlanthe opens revamped Soweto campus

Deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe has officially opened the University of Johannesburg Soweto campus.

The revamped campus underwent a facelift worth about R400 million which was made possible by a government infrastructure grant through the Department of Higher Education.

Motlanthe on Friday addressed an auditorium filled with first year UJ students as well as guests which included Winnie Madikizele-Mandela, Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor, “People’s Poet” Don Mattera and Kaizer Chiefs player Jackie Masike.

The programme’s positivity seemed momentarily threatened when a small, disgruntled group of students from SASCO, and affiliates of the ANCYL shouted and sang out of turn, interrupting speakers. They had to be frequently reprimanded and threatened to be removed from the auditorium. The group was eventually silenced long enough to let Motlanthe deliver his address.

His presence at the university meant to mark the significance of what he referred to as a “red letter day” because of the demonstration of increased efforts to challenge underdevelopment in an uneven socio-economic landscape.

“It is a sign of the times, and for that matter, a positive sign indicative of the determination of South Africans to break new grounds in all key respects of our existence,” he said.

Motlanthe mentioned that he felt that this new campus, equipped with modern facilities, will have a positive impact on the Soweto community and Gauteng at large by playing a key developmental role. He also mentioned that the main issue today is to open up new universities to young people and adjust to the current democratic, pluralistic society while maintaining a standard of teaching and a level of research.

“Universities thrive in social milieus which are supportive and interactive at different levels. In the case of Soweto, the one evident benefit of this approach is that it helps ensure that key sites of struggle do not become marginal but central in the cultural, social and economic life of South Africa,” he said.

Motlanthe further pointed out the significance of remembering the old freedom fighters, who have parts of the campus named after them, in appreciating today’s level of education.

“We could not be working for this integration of society and social coherence to underpin our national growth and development had it not been for efforts, sacrifices and the vision of some of these people who are today to be honoured by this great university,” he said. - IOL
http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/motlanthe-opens-revamped-soweto-campus-1.1021745

^^Think this is how it looks like.

http://www.uj.ac.za/EN/AboutUJ/Campuses/PublishingImages/soweto%20Square.jpg

http://www.uj.ac.za/EN/AboutUJ/Campuses/PublishingImages/soweto%20campus%20gardens.jpg

http://www.uj.ac.za/EN/AboutUJ/Campuses/PublishingImages/Soweto%20Arena.jpg

Also some other photos of the Soweto campsus
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_2b3LGeqk_f4/S_GVqmZaF6I/AAAAAAAABdY/4Ut49e3dUdk/IMG_0311.JPG

info screens now operational
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upgrading of dedicated lanes
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new 'turnstiles' for upcoming pre paid electronic card
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rea vaya 'park and ride'. people leave their cars and take the bus into town
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/5784785847_e59f34ea4f.jpg

My favourite park in the country. no fences-they are not trying to keep anyone out here, well kept, recreational facilities that are actually used, in an amongst the community,extensive, award winning, just pretty cool. the parks in soweto are truly amazing. city parks has done great things there and recognition of their work is suprisingly absent or downplayed in the media
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2417/5784836317_b523990572.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2763/5784785417_6801e5ca43.jpg
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really nice foot bridges
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basketball courts
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awesome park, had no idea about this or the others. lets see more pics of sport and rec facilties

Ndofaya-m'sotra e a baba ntwan!!

Nice pics mate.

thanks guys. i had a limited camera and i have even more limited photography skills.
took a bunch more pictures which ill put up tonight. took pics of a few more parks, inspiring dense housing developments and recreational facilities. should be in soweto again early june will take more pics. soweto is quite inspiring and i have a good guide when im there

Would love to see more Rea Vaya pics! Thanks Letter

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3033/5787339597_69af823c25.jpg
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a historically significant neighbourhood in south african politics. its where the congress of the people was converged and the freedom charter was concieved. it is also where the DA, recently, launched their local government campaign
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2654/5787440629_e557a21eb2.jpg

kliptown market with the pavement being relaid
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5227/5787997506_eff38d32a8.jpg

freedom square
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quite encouraging. there seems to be more vibrant compact multi storey housing going up all over soweto. here are the examples in kliptown

this one has been around for a while
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2390/5787443827_8fab81d6b5.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3120/5787996462_edbcea2285.jpg
new ones
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/5788000432_0685378a9a.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2264/5788001112_2723d3363f.jpg

this new neighbourhood is an absolute gem. i dont know if its officially still part of noord gesig, but we came upon it following the new rea vaya trunk past noord gesig. blocks of 3 storey walk ups. with single storey in between. beautiful well maintained parks, public spaces and rec facilities. wide pavements. next time im in soweto id definately like to go back. my photographs dont do it justice

again beautiful parks
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/5788061614_82bc2192ea_z.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3631/5788063208_329e2925df_z.jpg
artificial turf football field in the park
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/5787506569_90b15071f6_z.jpg
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Wow great! The DA actually won control of Kliptown :)

Wow great! The DA actually won control of Kliptown :)


Yep but Soweto is the ANC success story.

No. It was just the site for the launch of their local government election campaign and manifesto

yup. looks like they did. kliptown is paired up with eldorado park

I went to Soweto about 2 weeks black and featured some of the photos on my blog and have been forgetting to post them here.


http://johannesburgdailyphoto.blogspot.com/


BTW, lovely photo Letter.

thanks pule. "I went to Soweto about 2 weeks black" :) freudian slip?

Yep but Soweto is the ANC success story.

Parts of it :). Unfortunately greater Johannesburg is the ANC's failure.

yup. looks like they did. kliptown is paired up with eldorado park

They also won other wards in Soweto, a surprise if the ANC is doing so well there ;)

pity so many things end up as party political discussions again on this forum

Looking good Soweto! Now lets start getting to work on Alexandra..

pity so many things end up as party political discussions again on this forum

Err, you brought it up :)

just mentioned kliptown's historical and current significance. didnt break it down into party political merits

Neither did I. You mentioned the DA opened their campaign there, I mentioned the DA ended up winning that ward :)

Gret progress

Massive new CBD for Soweto’s Jabulani

JOHANNESBURG – Calgro M3 - the JSE’s top-ranking share for the first ten months of 2011 - is behind massive developments in Jabulani, Soweto in an attempt to turn it into a fully-fledged central business district, such projects a property analyst believes is the future.

A 300 bed hospital, a state of the art performing arts theatre and an integrated residential housing development form part of the mix to upgrade Jabulani in conjunction with the Gauteng government and other stakeholders.

Calgro M3, as an unusual mass housing developer and the best performing share on the JSE (JSE:JSE) in the ten months to October, has identified Jabulani as one of the growth nodes in Soweto as it is within walking distance of the Rea Vaya rapid transport system , the train station, the Jabulani Mall and other amenities.

Another part of the upliftment of the area is the demolition of the dilapidated Jabulani hostels originally built to house migrants who once worked the mines along Johannesburg’s reefs decades ago. Over the years the workers’ families have joined them in the hostels where there are no ablutions and sewerage runs freely through the complex.

Also in the development is what people in the business of property call “walk ups”. These are two and three storey apartment blocks without lifts and form part of the RDP element of the development.

Developers Calgro M3 Holdings (JSE:CGR) are working on making sure the development is aesthetically pleasing, with shrubs and greenery dotted along the grounds. While the units are generally compact, the structures are sound with the basic necessities to accommodate any family as a start-up.

CEO Ben-Pierre Malherbe says this kind of development is the face of the future to cope with the ongoing influx of South Africans into cities.

Property consultant Francois Viruly says an estimated 10m people are expected to flock to Gauteng by 2014. Malherbe says these mixed=income housing developments are set to become an important benchmark in managing urban population dynamics in Gauteng.

In Meadowlands another development known as Fleurhof is under construction. It comprises sectional title units ranging in price from R279 000 to R299 000. Free standing units also form part of the mix costing between R289 000 and R296 000.

Fleurhof is also a fully integrated development in terms of government’s 2007 policy for RDP housing to form part of any new housing initiatives. Provision has been made for the building of crèches, churches, a community centre and other amenities within the development. The location ensures easy access to transport and the Johannesburg CBD. It’s also close to an industrial hub where many Soweto residents work.

This is also in line with government’s new thinking on housing developments that they must be close to places of work and transport. This node is also serviced by Rea Vaya.

Calgro says its model allows it to sell in the open market and to institutional buyers. Malherbe explains that unlike some traditional developers, Calgro buys the land, develops it and at the end of the day provides a turnkey product that cuts out town planners, civil engineers and contracting contractors. This in turn helps cut costs, enabling it to add value to the development.

Calgro has 30 developments in the pipeline in various areas over the next seven to ten years.

http://www.moneyweb.co.za

PHOTO GALLERY
http://www.moneyweb.co.za/mw/view/mw/en/page313796?oid=555922&sn=Gallery&pid=313796

Excellent news. There is mighty energy and potential in Soweto, in fact, this sort of development is long overdue.
As an alternative CBD with transport links, this would rock and spread its regen out into the surrounds.

http://www.moneyweb.co.za/mw/action/media/downloadFile?media_fileid=12565&force_save_as=true&a=1215&s=width620

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Nice

Awesome stuff. Thanks for all the photos!

VW opens dealership in Soweto
Fri, 30 Mar 2012 8:33 - from iAfrica

Volkswagen South Africa achieved another milestone when Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe officially opened a new dealership in Soweto on Thursday.
The R30-million Soweto Volkswagen dealership is a joint venture between Barloworld Automotive and Maponya Group. The dealership is located on an 8000m2 motor retail site in the heart of the Soweto in the proximity of the township's struggle landmark streets and monuments.

David Powels, Managing Director of Volkswagen Group South Africa, said: "The opening of Soweto Volkswagen is one of the key milestones in the history of Volkswagen Brand in South Africa that spans over 60 years. Over that time Volkswagen has invested heavily through infrastructure, production facilities, employment, training and people development, and in Corporate Social Responsibility. The Volkswagen Group South Africa was the first local automotive company to achieve a level 4 BBBEE rating. Through this process the Volkswagen brand has become very much part of the fabric of South Africa and we are fortunate today that Volkswagen is the passenger market leader in South Africa.

"The process to build a Volkswagen dealership in Soweto began many years ago and was formalised by merging three great brands - Dr Richard Maponya, Volkswagen and Barloworld. Volkswagen is extremely proud to be associated with these brands in the form of Soweto Volkswagen.

"At Volkswagen, we have always viewed our brand as the most human of all car brands with people as our core focus. It is with this in mind that we think Soweto is the rightful place for the Volkswagen Brand. We look forward to a successful business partnership with Dr Maponya and Barloworld, and most importantly to serving the community of Soweto," concluded Powels.

Soweto Volkswagen is one of the first greenfield Volkswagen modular concept designs in the South African dealer operation. The design concept's distinguishing element is the white frame as a "snapshot" design principle. The new design brings the various aspects of the Volkswagen Brand into focus and directs the viewer's attention to the contents of the frame. The many different ways it can be used allows it to display new contents as they change, making it an unmistakable symbol of Volkswagen in all media.

The 2900m2 dealership has been in operation since December 2011 and offers fully fledged operation that includes new and used car sales, service and parts retail.

Gary Berndt, General Manager of Soweto Volkswagen said: "The dealership has enormous potential once more people of Soweto become aware of its existence and location. To date, we have achieved our sales targets and our service business is gradually picking up speed. In future, we plan to open our service facility on weekends and public holidays to allow customers to have their vehicles serviced on their work-free days.

Soweto becoming economic hubFri, 30 Mar 2012 7:41

The Gauteng province will spend R8.5-billion on formalising squatter camps over the next three years, Premier Nomvula Mokonyane said on Thursday.

She officially opened the first phase of the Jabulani Hostel Redevelopment Project in Soweto on Thursday.

The modern sky-rise apartments - really ..."sky-rise"? ....are a far cry from the drab single-door dormitories which were built in the apartheid era for migrant labourers.

Some of the units will be fully subsidised, while others will target a lower-income market.

Mokonyane said the developments proved Soweto was becoming a hub of economic activity.

“The Jabulani Hospital is also going to be opened, and there is also a shopping mall in the area.”

The province also has 18 projects which will be improved in the next three years.

Proudly of read this news. well done!!

Love it...

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^^ To bad its not in HD

A VAST piece of arid land opposite a wetland in Rockville, Soweto, has been earmarked for a R1.2-billion development comprising offices, townhouses, flats and duplexes, a signature bridge over a Rea Vaya station and retail facilities.

http://www.jda.org.za/news-and-media-releases-2012/june/841-oasis-planned-for-soweto

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