The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Finance, Cllr Dada Morero, underscored the dedication to fortifying Johannesburg’s resilience, tabling an R83.1-billion budget for 2023/24, including a R7.4-billion capital expenditure budget. Speaking at the Metro Centre’s Constance Bapela Council Chamber on Tuesday, 14 May, , the budget speech resonated with the theme “An inclusive budget that ensures no one is left behind”.
The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), which is a wholly owned area-based development agency and development facilitation role on behalf of the City of Johannesburg, was allocated an operating expenditure budget of R136.1 million and a three-year capital budget of R643 million.
Included in the capital allocations is R240 million for the strategic investments in the Orange Farm Urban renewal programme. The entity has implemented over 1 300 projects in its 23 years of operations and “will continue with its work on behalf of various city departments and entities as well as precinct development work across the City”, said Cllr Morero.
The budget speech saw the Transport Department allocated a multi-year capital budget of R1.2 billion. Projects to be undertaken include R170 million to complete the investment in Rea Vaya phase 1C infrastructure to bring it to operational readiness.
The JDA has played a role in the roll-out of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and associated infrastructure from phases 1A and 1B. The agency will continue with works for phase 1C as part of its Accelerated Public infrastructure Delivery Programme.
A total of R300 million will also be invested in upgrading public transport facilities citywide including Metro Mall, Lehae, Orange Farm and Chiawelo – currently being implemented by the JDA.
The Transport Department’s operational expenditure budget allocation is R2.2 billion, which will ensure operationalisation of the Rea Vaya route between Alexandra, Sandton and the Inner City as well as the Johannesburg International Terminal Interchange. The Community Development Department was allocated an operating budget of R1.4 billion and a three-year capital budget of R174 million for the upgrading and construction of facilities.
A further R105 million will go towards the upgrade and construction of community centres that the JDA is implementing in Lehae, Kaalfontein, Matholesville and Drieziek and R22 million on completing swimming pools in Ivory Park and Cosmo City.
The JDA has been undertaking renovations and refurbishments of the roof repairs and fire protection systems upgrades to the Joburg Central Library. A further R25 million has been provided for the upgrade library which is a landmark in the city.
The Health Department was allocated a total of R159 million for the three-year capital budget and projects include R64 million for upgrades and the construction of clinics. These include Naledi, Zandspruit, Hikensile and Protea South clinics currently being implemented by the JDA.
The Development Planning Department received a capital budget of R201 million over the medium-term, will be used for projects including R80 million for public environment upgrades and precinct developments including Brixton, Jabulani, Zandspruit and High Court precinct.
The JDA will play a key role in greening of Joburg’s public spaces through its public environment upgrades and, through its Strategic Economic Node Delivery Programme, focuses on projects in the inner city and precincts along the TOD development corridors.
