CITICHAT 3/2001 - 26 January 2001
Homelessness – Rosebank Survey
For at least the last year a group of street children, ages ranging from 15 to maybe 20, have been living on the pavement in Marshall Street near to the "Irish Barracks" where many of the city's informal traders store their wares overnight. Numerous discussions with the authorities have elicited no reaction, zilch, niks, nada! These kids openly sniff glue and are known to be involved in criminal activities (in the last month they broke into an unoccupied building in Marshall Street and completely trashed it, estimated damage of R100 000-00 ! - an increasing number of motorists, especially women, are afraid to travel down the street due to intimidation). For once, all levels of government are acting as a team because on this issue they pass the ball to each other as quickly as possible! No-one takes responsibility.
I believe they are acting culpably. In Philadelphia some years ago, in-depth research established that street people have a life span on average decidedly less than people with even the most basic form of shelter. Authorities who do not deal with the problem and Civil Rights/Civil Liberties groups who demand that people have the right to live on public streets, are contributing to the shortening of peoples' lives! And these kids sniff glue, the effect on their brains I understand to be irreversible after a relatively short period of time.
Towards the end of last year we instigated a preliminary study of homelessness in Rosebank. The research was carried out by the Pretoria Homeless Consortium who had previously done a more detailed study in Pretoria, "The Reintegration of Homeless People in the Inner City of Pretoria"
The following are some pertinent aspects from the Rosebank study:
295 homeless adults in Rosebank and its immediate surroundings were identified.
A profile of a typical homeless person in Rosebank was found to be a black, Zulu-speaking male of middle age, coming from Gauteng; never having been married; destitute for 2 to 6 years; planning to stay in Rosebank for longer than one year and belonging to a Pentecostal church.
Very disturbing was the high percentage of homeless persons who had received no education, 10.4%. Many did indicate that they had skills that they could share with others.
Another disturbing fact was that more than 20% earned nothing at all, or less than R10 per week, mostly through begging.
Nearly 45% sleep on the streets of Rosebank: "Homeless people congregate in parks in and around Rosebank and at specific centres of commercial activity in the area. Most sleep together."
Most are in Rosebank with the intention of seeking employment and churches are perceived by them as the most helpful resource.
Nearly 10% are in Rosebank due to collapse in relationships or marriage.
5% wanted to get away from home because of family problems.
Elements of homelessness mentioned by homeless people and service providers included very few possessions; unemployment; no home and no place to sleep, hunger, rejection and hopelessness. One homeless person interviewed in Rosebank said; "A person is homeless when he has no place to sleep, has no shelter from rain and cold. It is a tough life. We are hungry and cold. We have to carry all our belongings with us at all times. Most of our families do not want to know us. Some have gone from their homes now for many years. They reject themselves, have no pride, drinking over and over. Most of homeless people also feel rejected by the community and very lonely. It is a hopeless life."
Homelessness is much more than being without shelter. Again, from the Rosebank Survey; "Homelessness is a process or a cycle. People come to the city looking for work. Because they are unemployed they then become addicted to alcohol or drugs., and then they are destitute. They now have lost all the will and power to break out of this cycle. Some now die of exposure. They have crossed the line from being unemployed to being homeless.
"I was staying in East London and came to Johannesburg to look for a job. I never got a job and ended up being homeless and have no money to return home. I left two small children at home."
"The reason I am homeless is that I sleep on the streets to sell cigarettes to homeless people to send to my children living in Natal."
"I used to rent a room in Soweto but things didn't go well as I fought with my wife and children. I had serious family problems and felt so depressed and decided to leave my family."
"At home we ran away because of war. Now I don't know whether my children are alive or not. I need a job to go and check my family."
"It is hard to get a job because I was in jail for the last couple of years for murder. I'll have to survive. Sometimes I think of suicide or still to rob or kill some more."
"Homelessness is socially, economically and environmentally unacceptable. People living on the streets challenge the concept of humanity."
A recent publication of the International Downtown Association (IDA), addressing "Homelessness: Successful Downtown Partnerships" provides an excellent overview of the problem and some of the many initiatives in American cities where there are 600 000 homeless people "living and sleeping on our streets in parks, in shelters, or in darkened corners of public transportation centres throughout the United States on any given night of the year." Among these, an estimated 30 percent suffer from serious mental illness.
From the Executive Summary: "Homelessness, poverty and mental illness are of society, not outside it. How we choose to help homeless people, people with mental illness and those living in poverty will help to determine the long-term viability of our cities as communities."
"There is no magic pill - not in the form of money, power or bureaucracy. These are not finite projects - they are ongoing programmes of response, programmes that grow and evolve."
"Partnerships of the business, social service and advocacy communities do not relieve the public sector of its vital role. Indeed, government resources can go further, with less duplication or gaps and toward a set of goals that are bipartisan and community wide."
Those last quotations close the loop from where I began - the city needs to take a strong lead and strong action to deal with what has been allowed to become a series of open festering sores. I don't know with whom the buck stops in the new Mayoral Committee that I spoke about last week but between Environment, Community, Inner City, Health and Housing we have excellent appointees and hopefully they will firmly grasp the ball and run with it. In all the hype about building Johannesburg into a world-class city it would be good for them to think about some words I once heard spoken by a great American city practitioner, the late Dan Sweat " You don't build great cities by seeing how high you can build buildings, or how many miles of freeway system you can develop. You build great cities by addressing the problems of the inner city poor who are being left behind and by addressing a spiritual need that must be filled." I think it was Dan who also warned that unless cities start dealing constructively with the urban poor, the urban poor will deal destructively with cities - and that is the case in Marshall Street.
Friday, January 26, 2001
Friday, January 19, 2001
New Metro Structure; Tours Citichat 19 January 2001
CITICHAT 2/2001 - 19 January 2001
New Metro Structure & City Tours
Towards the end of last year I attended the inaugural meeting of the new Metropolitan Council for the Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan area. Not only is it a new council structure but a somewhat altered geographic area in that it incorporates Midrand, sheds some area to the east and reflects a couple of other boundary changes. The major structural difference to the previous Metro Council with its four sub- councils, each with their own mayor and councillors, is that we now have a single council, an Executive Mayor and a rather large council body (in excess of 200 councillors). Council meetings are now chaired by a Speaker. 'Elected' at the meeting were the Executive Mayor, Mr. Amos Masondo and the Speaker, the popular ex-Mayor of the Southern sub-structure, Mrs. Nandi Mayathula-Khoza
The Mayor has a Mayoral Committee, equivalent I guess to his 'Cabinet', of 10 persons each carrying a specific portfolio. I was delighted to find that one of these was for the Inner City itself which reflects both the concern and commitment of Amos Masondo to the Inner City. The Committee comprises Kenny Fihla (Finance, Strategy and Economic Development - this provides excellent continuity as he played such a critical role in the development of the Igoli 2002 and 2010 planning as Chair of the Transformation Legotla); Strike Ralegoma (Public Safety); Parks Tau (Development Planning and Environment); Prema Naaidoo (Health); Sizakele Nkosi (Housing); Thomas Phakathi (Municipal Administration); Brian Hlongwa (Municipal Services Entities) Nkele Ntingane (Municipal Enterprises) Christine Walters (Community Development, Roads and Parks) and Sol Cowan, (Inner City).
Which is why yesterday found me, at the invitation of the Inner City Office, accompanying Sol Cowan in a drive through the inner city, stopping at various places of either concern or where newprojects are underway or planned to commence shortly. The second bit of good news for the city is that Councillor Cowan has a good grasp of the city and its problems both from a local authority and a business perspective.
I look forward to a positive year in the city building on the real progress that was made in 2000, although by the end of our drive, which took in Bertrams, Yeoville and Jeppestown, I was reminded of the enormity of the task ahead. I think it was Anton Rupert who always said that every challenge offers an opportunity, we certainly are a city of opportunities!
A couple of responses to such opportunities are beginning to become evident. On Gandhi Square where the retail is beginning to respond to the upgraded environment, a new shop has just opened specialising in hemp products (the woven, not the smoking variety!). I don't advertise businesses in this column, but rather mention services and service providers, but the goods in this shop on the North-Western side of the Square are just so wonderful that you must do yourself a favour and take a look.
Another response and a clear sign of revived interest in the city, is the number of guided walks which are again taking place. Two organisations which have contacted me recently are, firstly, Beryl Porter's "Walk Tours". They incidentally have a 'Downtown Johannesburg" tour tomorrow, Saturday 20th, starting at 08h00 to 11h00 from Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown (opposite the entrance to Museum Africa). On the 18th February they look at Braamfontein, Constitution Hill and the Civic Theatre (which incidentally is experiencing a major turn-around under the direction of newly appointed CEO Bernard Jay who has some excellent ideas in regard to making the Theatre what a Theatre should be for the city). Walk Tours include a lot of areas outside of my direct involvement but not interest, including Alexandra, Kensington/Troyeville, Emmarentia and Melville Koppies Nature Reserve and many others. You can phone them at (Joeys) 444 1639; cell 083-269 9769 or checkout the website at www.walktours.co.za
Secondly, Flo Bird tells me that the Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust are having a whole series of 'City' bus tours which will take place on the 1st Saturday of each month February to November and these include "Tried for Treason" - the Fort's awaiting trial block and Museum Africa (February 3); "Shady Characters - remarkable trees in our streets and parks (3 March); "Art Deco" - Glamour and elegance to rival New York (April 7) and "Workers, Beer and By-Products" - SAB Museum, Workers Library and Museum and Edwardian lavatory". For details and programme telephone (011) 482-3349.
Remember last week's comment from TM Chan; "Now its Jo'burg that has the buzz" - something for everyone whether by foot (with security) or by bus. Opportunities to learn more about the history of this great city and have fun doing so.
New Metro Structure & City Tours
Towards the end of last year I attended the inaugural meeting of the new Metropolitan Council for the Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan area. Not only is it a new council structure but a somewhat altered geographic area in that it incorporates Midrand, sheds some area to the east and reflects a couple of other boundary changes. The major structural difference to the previous Metro Council with its four sub- councils, each with their own mayor and councillors, is that we now have a single council, an Executive Mayor and a rather large council body (in excess of 200 councillors). Council meetings are now chaired by a Speaker. 'Elected' at the meeting were the Executive Mayor, Mr. Amos Masondo and the Speaker, the popular ex-Mayor of the Southern sub-structure, Mrs. Nandi Mayathula-Khoza
The Mayor has a Mayoral Committee, equivalent I guess to his 'Cabinet', of 10 persons each carrying a specific portfolio. I was delighted to find that one of these was for the Inner City itself which reflects both the concern and commitment of Amos Masondo to the Inner City. The Committee comprises Kenny Fihla (Finance, Strategy and Economic Development - this provides excellent continuity as he played such a critical role in the development of the Igoli 2002 and 2010 planning as Chair of the Transformation Legotla); Strike Ralegoma (Public Safety); Parks Tau (Development Planning and Environment); Prema Naaidoo (Health); Sizakele Nkosi (Housing); Thomas Phakathi (Municipal Administration); Brian Hlongwa (Municipal Services Entities) Nkele Ntingane (Municipal Enterprises) Christine Walters (Community Development, Roads and Parks) and Sol Cowan, (Inner City).
Which is why yesterday found me, at the invitation of the Inner City Office, accompanying Sol Cowan in a drive through the inner city, stopping at various places of either concern or where newprojects are underway or planned to commence shortly. The second bit of good news for the city is that Councillor Cowan has a good grasp of the city and its problems both from a local authority and a business perspective.
I look forward to a positive year in the city building on the real progress that was made in 2000, although by the end of our drive, which took in Bertrams, Yeoville and Jeppestown, I was reminded of the enormity of the task ahead. I think it was Anton Rupert who always said that every challenge offers an opportunity, we certainly are a city of opportunities!
A couple of responses to such opportunities are beginning to become evident. On Gandhi Square where the retail is beginning to respond to the upgraded environment, a new shop has just opened specialising in hemp products (the woven, not the smoking variety!). I don't advertise businesses in this column, but rather mention services and service providers, but the goods in this shop on the North-Western side of the Square are just so wonderful that you must do yourself a favour and take a look.
Another response and a clear sign of revived interest in the city, is the number of guided walks which are again taking place. Two organisations which have contacted me recently are, firstly, Beryl Porter's "Walk Tours". They incidentally have a 'Downtown Johannesburg" tour tomorrow, Saturday 20th, starting at 08h00 to 11h00 from Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown (opposite the entrance to Museum Africa). On the 18th February they look at Braamfontein, Constitution Hill and the Civic Theatre (which incidentally is experiencing a major turn-around under the direction of newly appointed CEO Bernard Jay who has some excellent ideas in regard to making the Theatre what a Theatre should be for the city). Walk Tours include a lot of areas outside of my direct involvement but not interest, including Alexandra, Kensington/Troyeville, Emmarentia and Melville Koppies Nature Reserve and many others. You can phone them at (Joeys) 444 1639; cell 083-269 9769 or checkout the website at www.walktours.co.za
Secondly, Flo Bird tells me that the Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust are having a whole series of 'City' bus tours which will take place on the 1st Saturday of each month February to November and these include "Tried for Treason" - the Fort's awaiting trial block and Museum Africa (February 3); "Shady Characters - remarkable trees in our streets and parks (3 March); "Art Deco" - Glamour and elegance to rival New York (April 7) and "Workers, Beer and By-Products" - SAB Museum, Workers Library and Museum and Edwardian lavatory". For details and programme telephone (011) 482-3349.
Remember last week's comment from TM Chan; "Now its Jo'burg that has the buzz" - something for everyone whether by foot (with security) or by bus. Opportunities to learn more about the history of this great city and have fun doing so.
CITICHAT 2/2001 - 19 January 2001
New Metro Structure & City Tours
Towards the end of last year I attended the inaugural meeting of the new Metropolitan Council for the Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan area. Not only is it a new council structure but a somewhat altered geographic area in that it incorporates Midrand, sheds some area to the east and reflects a couple of other boundary changes. The major structural difference to the previous Metro Council with its four sub- councils, each with their own mayor and councillors, is that we now have a single council, an Executive Mayor and a rather large council body (in excess of 200 councillors). Council meetings are now chaired by a Speaker. 'Elected' at the meeting were the Executive Mayor, Mr. Amos Masondo and the Speaker, the popular ex-Mayor of the Southern sub-structure, Mrs. Nandi Mayathula-Khoza
The Mayor has a Mayoral Committee, equivalent I guess to his 'Cabinet', of 10 persons each carrying a specific portfolio. I was delighted to find that one of these was for the Inner City itself which reflects both the concern and commitment of Amos Masondo to the Inner City. The Committee comprises Kenny Fihla (Finance, Strategy and Economic Development - this provides excellent continuity as he played such a critical role in the development of the Igoli 2002 and 2010 planning as Chair of the Transformation Legotla); Strike Ralegoma (Public Safety); Parks Tau (Development Planning and Environment); Prema Naaidoo (Health); Sizakele Nkosi (Housing); Thomas Phakathi (Municipal Administration); Brian Hlongwa (Municipal Services Entities) Nkele Ntingane (Municipal Enterprises) Christine Walters (Community Development, Roads and Parks) and Sol Cowan, (Inner City).
Which is why yesterday found me, at the invitation of the Inner City Office, accompanying Sol Cowan in a drive through the inner city, stopping at various places of either concern or where newprojects are underway or planned to commence shortly. The second bit of good news for the city is that Councillor Cowan has a good grasp of the city and its problems both from a local authority and a business perspective.
I look forward to a positive year in the city building on the real progress that was made in 2000, although by the end of our drive, which took in Bertrams, Yeoville and Jeppestown, I was reminded of the enormity of the task ahead. I think it was Anton Rupert who always said that every challenge offers an opportunity, we certainly are a city of opportunities!
A couple of responses to such opportunities are beginning to become evident. On Gandhi Square where the retail is beginning to respond to the upgraded environment, a new shop has just opened specialising in hemp products (the woven, not the smoking variety!). I don't advertise businesses in this column, but rather mention services and service providers, but the goods in this shop on the North-Western side of the Square are just so wonderful that you must do yourself a favour and take a look.
Another response and a clear sign of revived interest in the city, is the number of guided walks which are again taking place. Two organisations which have contacted me recently are, firstly, Beryl Porter's "Walk Tours". They incidentally have a 'Downtown Johannesburg" tour tomorrow, Saturday 20th, starting at 08h00 to 11h00 from Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown (opposite the entrance to Museum Africa). On the 18th February they look at Braamfontein, Constitution Hill and the Civic Theatre (which incidentally is experiencing a major turn-around under the direction of newly appointed CEO Bernard Jay who has some excellent ideas in regard to making the Theatre what a Theatre should be for the city). Walk Tours include a lot of areas outside of my direct involvement but not interest, including Alexandra, Kensington/Troyeville, Emmarentia and Melville Koppies Nature Reserve and many others. You can phone them at (Joeys) 444 1639; cell 083-269 9769 or checkout the website at www.walktours.co.za
Secondly, Flo Bird tells me that the Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust are having a whole series of 'City' bus tours which will take place on the 1st Saturday of each month February to November and these include "Tried for Treason" - the Fort's awaiting trial block and Museum Africa (February 3); "Shady Characters - remarkable trees in our streets and parks (3 March); "Art Deco" - Glamour and elegance to rival New York (April 7) and "Workers, Beer and By-Products" - SAB Museum, Workers Library and Museum and Edwardian lavatory". For details and programme telephone (011) 482-3349.
Remember last week's comment from TM Chan; "Now its Jo'burg that has the buzz" - something for everyone whether by foot (with security) or by bus. Opportunities to learn more about the history of this great city and have fun doing so.
New Metro Structure & City Tours
Towards the end of last year I attended the inaugural meeting of the new Metropolitan Council for the Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan area. Not only is it a new council structure but a somewhat altered geographic area in that it incorporates Midrand, sheds some area to the east and reflects a couple of other boundary changes. The major structural difference to the previous Metro Council with its four sub- councils, each with their own mayor and councillors, is that we now have a single council, an Executive Mayor and a rather large council body (in excess of 200 councillors). Council meetings are now chaired by a Speaker. 'Elected' at the meeting were the Executive Mayor, Mr. Amos Masondo and the Speaker, the popular ex-Mayor of the Southern sub-structure, Mrs. Nandi Mayathula-Khoza
The Mayor has a Mayoral Committee, equivalent I guess to his 'Cabinet', of 10 persons each carrying a specific portfolio. I was delighted to find that one of these was for the Inner City itself which reflects both the concern and commitment of Amos Masondo to the Inner City. The Committee comprises Kenny Fihla (Finance, Strategy and Economic Development - this provides excellent continuity as he played such a critical role in the development of the Igoli 2002 and 2010 planning as Chair of the Transformation Legotla); Strike Ralegoma (Public Safety); Parks Tau (Development Planning and Environment); Prema Naaidoo (Health); Sizakele Nkosi (Housing); Thomas Phakathi (Municipal Administration); Brian Hlongwa (Municipal Services Entities) Nkele Ntingane (Municipal Enterprises) Christine Walters (Community Development, Roads and Parks) and Sol Cowan, (Inner City).
Which is why yesterday found me, at the invitation of the Inner City Office, accompanying Sol Cowan in a drive through the inner city, stopping at various places of either concern or where newprojects are underway or planned to commence shortly. The second bit of good news for the city is that Councillor Cowan has a good grasp of the city and its problems both from a local authority and a business perspective.
I look forward to a positive year in the city building on the real progress that was made in 2000, although by the end of our drive, which took in Bertrams, Yeoville and Jeppestown, I was reminded of the enormity of the task ahead. I think it was Anton Rupert who always said that every challenge offers an opportunity, we certainly are a city of opportunities!
A couple of responses to such opportunities are beginning to become evident. On Gandhi Square where the retail is beginning to respond to the upgraded environment, a new shop has just opened specialising in hemp products (the woven, not the smoking variety!). I don't advertise businesses in this column, but rather mention services and service providers, but the goods in this shop on the North-Western side of the Square are just so wonderful that you must do yourself a favour and take a look.
Another response and a clear sign of revived interest in the city, is the number of guided walks which are again taking place. Two organisations which have contacted me recently are, firstly, Beryl Porter's "Walk Tours". They incidentally have a 'Downtown Johannesburg" tour tomorrow, Saturday 20th, starting at 08h00 to 11h00 from Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown (opposite the entrance to Museum Africa). On the 18th February they look at Braamfontein, Constitution Hill and the Civic Theatre (which incidentally is experiencing a major turn-around under the direction of newly appointed CEO Bernard Jay who has some excellent ideas in regard to making the Theatre what a Theatre should be for the city). Walk Tours include a lot of areas outside of my direct involvement but not interest, including Alexandra, Kensington/Troyeville, Emmarentia and Melville Koppies Nature Reserve and many others. You can phone them at (Joeys) 444 1639; cell 083-269 9769 or checkout the website at www.walktours.co.za
Secondly, Flo Bird tells me that the Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust are having a whole series of 'City' bus tours which will take place on the 1st Saturday of each month February to November and these include "Tried for Treason" - the Fort's awaiting trial block and Museum Africa (February 3); "Shady Characters - remarkable trees in our streets and parks (3 March); "Art Deco" - Glamour and elegance to rival New York (April 7) and "Workers, Beer and By-Products" - SAB Museum, Workers Library and Museum and Edwardian lavatory". For details and programme telephone (011) 482-3349.
Remember last week's comment from TM Chan; "Now its Jo'burg that has the buzz" - something for everyone whether by foot (with security) or by bus. Opportunities to learn more about the history of this great city and have fun doing so.
Friday, January 12, 2001
Uni-Cities, Strikes and Media Citichat 12 January 2001
CITICHAT No. 1/2001 - 12 January 2001
Uni-Cities, Strikes and media – (The Good The Bad and the Ugly)
The 'Good' the 'Bad' and the 'Ugly' seems to be an apt epigram for the 2000 to 2001 rollover.
The 'Good' is the level of energy that was flowing in the city by the end of the year past. Those who read my last three or four Citichats last year would understand what I mean. It has been many years since we've experienced the numbers of projects and processes completed, started or about to start as well as increased interest in the city and increased letting activity. A great way to end a year!
"Good" too is the fact that the long-talked about uni-city, whether one likes it or not, is now no longer talk. New structures, new Mayor, new broom, new Council, new Year! We'll all be watching with more than academic interest as to how effective the new approach is going to be. A great way to begin a year!
'Bad' can only be used to describe the security officers' strike in the city spanning the rollover of the calendar. Why don't trade unions wake up to the fact that democracy and the right to strike so long denied them is reduced to ashes when their members behave like animals, smashing, intimidating and assaulting those that may not wish to join their cause? Worse still, assaulting those who have nothing to do with their cause such as experienced by three of our cleaners. The city doesn't belong to the trade unions nor to their members, it belongs to all of us and their actions should be viewed with the same disgust that rape engenders. What I don't understand is that they are allowed to behave in this way irrespective of what they do to persons or to public and private property. We hear commitment to "zero tolerance" but see no hard evidence that like "freedom of association" they aren't just empty rhetoric.
'Ugly' can only be used to describe the incredibly negative article by Professor Keith Beavon ("The City that Slipped" - Sunday Times Lifestyle January 7). Written in the bitter style that seems to have become his trademark in recent years relative to the city, it is sadly lacking in the kind of vision that he accuses all and sundry of betraying. A real pity because it results in a warped perspective that detracts from so much of his valid commentary on the history of the decline of the city. Certainly his identification of mass rezonings to the north of the CBD as being supported by local and/or provincial government officials "prior to "black local government" is not only accurate but conveniently ignored by those who blame all our ills on the current administration. But, that's where he should stop because he is so clearly out of touch with what's happening on the ground.
He is also clearly out of touch with what is happening in other South African towns and cities as we all struggle to come not only to grips with the effects of our disastrous history, but also with the pressures of urbanisation that are certainly not unique to the Johannesburg CBD. This is borne out obliquely in his "to be fair" comment that Sanlam's decision not to invest in the CBD was actually a decision not to invest in any South African CBDs at this stage! Conveniently ignored is the fact that a number of the projects that he portrays as having been no more than wishful thinking (convention centres, international trade centres, lakes, libraries and five star hotels) were linked specifically to casino projects that the authorities in their wisdom (or rather lack of) decided should be everywhere but in the CBD.
Plans of twenty years ago that have 'yet to be brought to fruition' will thankfully never see the light of day because they are inappropriate relative to where we are today. Planning of twenty years ago was flawed because it was racially skewed, what we are wrestling with are relevant plans for a city that will emerge in the next five years as reflecting the demographics of the province in which it is located and the country as a whole. I guess this is what Keith perceives as a "neo-apartheid city"!
Let's end on 'Good"! In complete contrast to "The City that Slipped" was the article by TM Chan that appeared in the Mail & Gaurdian (December 8 to 14, 2000) entitled "Jo'burg: One of the Great Cities". The writer, an American, points out that "it doesn't take a rocket scientist to get down on Jo'burg" and then firmly puts his finger on the pulse and excitement of the city that academics like the good Professor never experience, the pulse and excitement that says "hey, the patient isn't dead, just re-inventing itself!" Not for a moment glossing over the problems, TM Chan puts a perspective on the city that reminds me of why I do what I do, quote - "this is a city where thieves break in to steal milk and lock the doors on the way out. It makes you want to laugh and cry at the same time. . It's ironic, distressing funny. In so many ways, Jo'burg is all about this bittersweetness. People are tough because the circumstances are tough. The sunsets are beautiful because the air is full of pollution and dust. Things are funny because they are heartbreaking. And it is this bittersweet intensity that is Joburg's most captivating quality, a magnetic tension that is at the core of this city where people from all over converge to battle for ground. NYC in its buzzy old days was a similarly bittersweet place full of struggling poor immigrants and hard-luck kids dreaming of big city lights. Now it's Joburg that has the buzz, the energy and the intensity that makes you feel like if you can make it here, well, you can make it just anywhere. It is an amazing city. No doubt one of the greats"- unquote.
Thanks, TM Chan and, oh yes, Happy New Year to you all!.
Uni-Cities, Strikes and media – (The Good The Bad and the Ugly)
The 'Good' the 'Bad' and the 'Ugly' seems to be an apt epigram for the 2000 to 2001 rollover.
The 'Good' is the level of energy that was flowing in the city by the end of the year past. Those who read my last three or four Citichats last year would understand what I mean. It has been many years since we've experienced the numbers of projects and processes completed, started or about to start as well as increased interest in the city and increased letting activity. A great way to end a year!
"Good" too is the fact that the long-talked about uni-city, whether one likes it or not, is now no longer talk. New structures, new Mayor, new broom, new Council, new Year! We'll all be watching with more than academic interest as to how effective the new approach is going to be. A great way to begin a year!
'Bad' can only be used to describe the security officers' strike in the city spanning the rollover of the calendar. Why don't trade unions wake up to the fact that democracy and the right to strike so long denied them is reduced to ashes when their members behave like animals, smashing, intimidating and assaulting those that may not wish to join their cause? Worse still, assaulting those who have nothing to do with their cause such as experienced by three of our cleaners. The city doesn't belong to the trade unions nor to their members, it belongs to all of us and their actions should be viewed with the same disgust that rape engenders. What I don't understand is that they are allowed to behave in this way irrespective of what they do to persons or to public and private property. We hear commitment to "zero tolerance" but see no hard evidence that like "freedom of association" they aren't just empty rhetoric.
'Ugly' can only be used to describe the incredibly negative article by Professor Keith Beavon ("The City that Slipped" - Sunday Times Lifestyle January 7). Written in the bitter style that seems to have become his trademark in recent years relative to the city, it is sadly lacking in the kind of vision that he accuses all and sundry of betraying. A real pity because it results in a warped perspective that detracts from so much of his valid commentary on the history of the decline of the city. Certainly his identification of mass rezonings to the north of the CBD as being supported by local and/or provincial government officials "prior to "black local government" is not only accurate but conveniently ignored by those who blame all our ills on the current administration. But, that's where he should stop because he is so clearly out of touch with what's happening on the ground.
He is also clearly out of touch with what is happening in other South African towns and cities as we all struggle to come not only to grips with the effects of our disastrous history, but also with the pressures of urbanisation that are certainly not unique to the Johannesburg CBD. This is borne out obliquely in his "to be fair" comment that Sanlam's decision not to invest in the CBD was actually a decision not to invest in any South African CBDs at this stage! Conveniently ignored is the fact that a number of the projects that he portrays as having been no more than wishful thinking (convention centres, international trade centres, lakes, libraries and five star hotels) were linked specifically to casino projects that the authorities in their wisdom (or rather lack of) decided should be everywhere but in the CBD.
Plans of twenty years ago that have 'yet to be brought to fruition' will thankfully never see the light of day because they are inappropriate relative to where we are today. Planning of twenty years ago was flawed because it was racially skewed, what we are wrestling with are relevant plans for a city that will emerge in the next five years as reflecting the demographics of the province in which it is located and the country as a whole. I guess this is what Keith perceives as a "neo-apartheid city"!
Let's end on 'Good"! In complete contrast to "The City that Slipped" was the article by TM Chan that appeared in the Mail & Gaurdian (December 8 to 14, 2000) entitled "Jo'burg: One of the Great Cities". The writer, an American, points out that "it doesn't take a rocket scientist to get down on Jo'burg" and then firmly puts his finger on the pulse and excitement of the city that academics like the good Professor never experience, the pulse and excitement that says "hey, the patient isn't dead, just re-inventing itself!" Not for a moment glossing over the problems, TM Chan puts a perspective on the city that reminds me of why I do what I do, quote - "this is a city where thieves break in to steal milk and lock the doors on the way out. It makes you want to laugh and cry at the same time. . It's ironic, distressing funny. In so many ways, Jo'burg is all about this bittersweetness. People are tough because the circumstances are tough. The sunsets are beautiful because the air is full of pollution and dust. Things are funny because they are heartbreaking. And it is this bittersweet intensity that is Joburg's most captivating quality, a magnetic tension that is at the core of this city where people from all over converge to battle for ground. NYC in its buzzy old days was a similarly bittersweet place full of struggling poor immigrants and hard-luck kids dreaming of big city lights. Now it's Joburg that has the buzz, the energy and the intensity that makes you feel like if you can make it here, well, you can make it just anywhere. It is an amazing city. No doubt one of the greats"- unquote.
Thanks, TM Chan and, oh yes, Happy New Year to you all!.
CITICHAT No. 1/2001 - 12 January 2001
Uni-Cities, Strikes and media – (The Good The Bad and the Ugly)
The 'Good' the 'Bad' and the 'Ugly' seems to be an apt epigram for the 2000 to 2001 rollover.
The 'Good' is the level of energy that was flowing in the city by the end of the year past. Those who read my last three or four Citichats last year would understand what I mean. It has been many years since we've experienced the numbers of projects and processes completed, started or about to start as well as increased interest in the city and increased letting activity. A great way to end a year!
"Good" too is the fact that the long-talked about uni-city, whether one likes it or not, is now no longer talk. New structures, new Mayor, new broom, new Council, new Year! We'll all be watching with more than academic interest as to how effective the new approach is going to be. A great way to begin a year!
'Bad' can only be used to describe the security officers' strike in the city spanning the rollover of the calendar. Why don't trade unions wake up to the fact that democracy and the right to strike so long denied them is reduced to ashes when their members behave like animals, smashing, intimidating and assaulting those that may not wish to join their cause? Worse still, assaulting those who have nothing to do with their cause such as experienced by three of our cleaners. The city doesn't belong to the trade unions nor to their members, it belongs to all of us and their actions should be viewed with the same disgust that rape engenders. What I don't understand is that they are allowed to behave in this way irrespective of what they do to persons or to public and private property. We hear commitment to "zero tolerance" but see no hard evidence that like "freedom of association" they aren't just empty rhetoric.
'Ugly' can only be used to describe the incredibly negative article by Professor Keith Beavon ("The City that Slipped" - Sunday Times Lifestyle January 7). Written in the bitter style that seems to have become his trademark in recent years relative to the city, it is sadly lacking in the kind of vision that he accuses all and sundry of betraying. A real pity because it results in a warped perspective that detracts from so much of his valid commentary on the history of the decline of the city. Certainly his identification of mass rezonings to the north of the CBD as being supported by local and/or provincial government officials "prior to "black local government" is not only accurate but conveniently ignored by those who blame all our ills on the current administration. But, that's where he should stop because he is so clearly out of touch with what's happening on the ground.
He is also clearly out of touch with what is happening in other South African towns and cities as we all struggle to come not only to grips with the effects of our disastrous history, but also with the pressures of urbanisation that are certainly not unique to the Johannesburg CBD. This is borne out obliquely in his "to be fair" comment that Sanlam's decision not to invest in the CBD was actually a decision not to invest in any South African CBDs at this stage! Conveniently ignored is the fact that a number of the projects that he portrays as having been no more than wishful thinking (convention centres, international trade centres, lakes, libraries and five star hotels) were linked specifically to casino projects that the authorities in their wisdom (or rather lack of) decided should be everywhere but in the CBD.
Plans of twenty years ago that have 'yet to be brought to fruition' will thankfully never see the light of day because they are inappropriate relative to where we are today. Planning of twenty years ago was flawed because it was racially skewed, what we are wrestling with are relevant plans for a city that will emerge in the next five years as reflecting the demographics of the province in which it is located and the country as a whole. I guess this is what Keith perceives as a "neo-apartheid city"!
Let's end on 'Good"! In complete contrast to "The City that Slipped" was the article by TM Chan that appeared in the Mail & Gaurdian (December 8 to 14, 2000) entitled "Jo'burg: One of the Great Cities". The writer, an American, points out that "it doesn't take a rocket scientist to get down on Jo'burg" and then firmly puts his finger on the pulse and excitement of the city that academics like the good Professor never experience, the pulse and excitement that says "hey, the patient isn't dead, just re-inventing itself!" Not for a moment glossing over the problems, TM Chan puts a perspective on the city that reminds me of why I do what I do, quote - "this is a city where thieves break in to steal milk and lock the doors on the way out. It makes you want to laugh and cry at the same time. . It's ironic, distressing funny. In so many ways, Jo'burg is all about this bittersweetness. People are tough because the circumstances are tough. The sunsets are beautiful because the air is full of pollution and dust. Things are funny because they are heartbreaking. And it is this bittersweet intensity that is Joburg's most captivating quality, a magnetic tension that is at the core of this city where people from all over converge to battle for ground. NYC in its buzzy old days was a similarly bittersweet place full of struggling poor immigrants and hard-luck kids dreaming of big city lights. Now it's Joburg that has the buzz, the energy and the intensity that makes you feel like if you can make it here, well, you can make it just anywhere. It is an amazing city. No doubt one of the greats"- unquote.
Thanks, TM Chan and, oh yes, Happy New Year to you all!.
Uni-Cities, Strikes and media – (The Good The Bad and the Ugly)
The 'Good' the 'Bad' and the 'Ugly' seems to be an apt epigram for the 2000 to 2001 rollover.
The 'Good' is the level of energy that was flowing in the city by the end of the year past. Those who read my last three or four Citichats last year would understand what I mean. It has been many years since we've experienced the numbers of projects and processes completed, started or about to start as well as increased interest in the city and increased letting activity. A great way to end a year!
"Good" too is the fact that the long-talked about uni-city, whether one likes it or not, is now no longer talk. New structures, new Mayor, new broom, new Council, new Year! We'll all be watching with more than academic interest as to how effective the new approach is going to be. A great way to begin a year!
'Bad' can only be used to describe the security officers' strike in the city spanning the rollover of the calendar. Why don't trade unions wake up to the fact that democracy and the right to strike so long denied them is reduced to ashes when their members behave like animals, smashing, intimidating and assaulting those that may not wish to join their cause? Worse still, assaulting those who have nothing to do with their cause such as experienced by three of our cleaners. The city doesn't belong to the trade unions nor to their members, it belongs to all of us and their actions should be viewed with the same disgust that rape engenders. What I don't understand is that they are allowed to behave in this way irrespective of what they do to persons or to public and private property. We hear commitment to "zero tolerance" but see no hard evidence that like "freedom of association" they aren't just empty rhetoric.
'Ugly' can only be used to describe the incredibly negative article by Professor Keith Beavon ("The City that Slipped" - Sunday Times Lifestyle January 7). Written in the bitter style that seems to have become his trademark in recent years relative to the city, it is sadly lacking in the kind of vision that he accuses all and sundry of betraying. A real pity because it results in a warped perspective that detracts from so much of his valid commentary on the history of the decline of the city. Certainly his identification of mass rezonings to the north of the CBD as being supported by local and/or provincial government officials "prior to "black local government" is not only accurate but conveniently ignored by those who blame all our ills on the current administration. But, that's where he should stop because he is so clearly out of touch with what's happening on the ground.
He is also clearly out of touch with what is happening in other South African towns and cities as we all struggle to come not only to grips with the effects of our disastrous history, but also with the pressures of urbanisation that are certainly not unique to the Johannesburg CBD. This is borne out obliquely in his "to be fair" comment that Sanlam's decision not to invest in the CBD was actually a decision not to invest in any South African CBDs at this stage! Conveniently ignored is the fact that a number of the projects that he portrays as having been no more than wishful thinking (convention centres, international trade centres, lakes, libraries and five star hotels) were linked specifically to casino projects that the authorities in their wisdom (or rather lack of) decided should be everywhere but in the CBD.
Plans of twenty years ago that have 'yet to be brought to fruition' will thankfully never see the light of day because they are inappropriate relative to where we are today. Planning of twenty years ago was flawed because it was racially skewed, what we are wrestling with are relevant plans for a city that will emerge in the next five years as reflecting the demographics of the province in which it is located and the country as a whole. I guess this is what Keith perceives as a "neo-apartheid city"!
Let's end on 'Good"! In complete contrast to "The City that Slipped" was the article by TM Chan that appeared in the Mail & Gaurdian (December 8 to 14, 2000) entitled "Jo'burg: One of the Great Cities". The writer, an American, points out that "it doesn't take a rocket scientist to get down on Jo'burg" and then firmly puts his finger on the pulse and excitement of the city that academics like the good Professor never experience, the pulse and excitement that says "hey, the patient isn't dead, just re-inventing itself!" Not for a moment glossing over the problems, TM Chan puts a perspective on the city that reminds me of why I do what I do, quote - "this is a city where thieves break in to steal milk and lock the doors on the way out. It makes you want to laugh and cry at the same time. . It's ironic, distressing funny. In so many ways, Jo'burg is all about this bittersweetness. People are tough because the circumstances are tough. The sunsets are beautiful because the air is full of pollution and dust. Things are funny because they are heartbreaking. And it is this bittersweet intensity that is Joburg's most captivating quality, a magnetic tension that is at the core of this city where people from all over converge to battle for ground. NYC in its buzzy old days was a similarly bittersweet place full of struggling poor immigrants and hard-luck kids dreaming of big city lights. Now it's Joburg that has the buzz, the energy and the intensity that makes you feel like if you can make it here, well, you can make it just anywhere. It is an amazing city. No doubt one of the greats"- unquote.
Thanks, TM Chan and, oh yes, Happy New Year to you all!.
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