Intro

Esteemed guests; members of the media; ladies and gentlemen. I welcome you here this morning with great pleasure.
Today we announce the call for nominations for the JDA Annual “Halala Joburg” Awards. Halala simply means ‘congratulations’, well done!!! It signifies “admiration”, “contentment” and “joy”.

In the spirit of this happiness, I would like to mention something else very close to my heart. The Johannesburg Development Agency celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. Now, ten years is not a very long time . . . But things can be – and have been - accomplished in ten years that surprise us when we look back.

Ten years ago, The Economist labelled Africa “the hopeless continent”. Today, it notes that six of the world’s ten fastest-growing economies are in sub-Saharan Africa.

Ten years ago – though it’s hard to believe – there was no Facebook or Twitter. See how much can change in just ten years?
Just a decade ago, the Johannesburg Development Agency was born as an agency of the City of Johannesburg. Our mandate was to stimulate and support area-based economic development initiatives throughout the Johannesburg metropolitan area in support of the City’s Joburg 2030 Vision and later the City’s Growth & Development Strategy.

The JDA has been building a better inner city for a decade.  This year Halala Joburg Awards celebrates our achievement in making a better inner city.  
Downtown is buzzing.  Fashion week recently took place in iconic spaces and places in the inner city.  People are going to the Market Theatre in droves.  Arts-on-Main’s new market is full of life. 

If you look up, you will see scaffolding framing many buildings that are being refurbished by property owners who now recognise the potential of the inner city.  From a story of decay a suitable environment has been created for big investment dreams to be realised.  The inner city is now a great place to do business, to live, to play and a place that continues to offer opportunities.

Background: A decade of regeneration

In 2001 the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg Cllr. Amos Masondo announced his 6 (six) priorities for his first mayoral term of office.  Among these, the regeneration of the inner city was also prioritised.

The inner city suffered a long period of decline starting in the late 60s.  This process of decline was driven by a number of factors, including; the process of decentralisation and the emergence of competing business nodes in the north, inner city congestion and lack of parking; a restructuring in the commercial property sector that saw the demand for office parks grow, and the subsequent development of suburban shopping malls.

The process of decentralisation and subsequent corporate disinvestment in the inner city was intensified by problems of crime and grime, unregulated street trading and inadequate facilities for taxis.  In turn, these factors led to further symptoms of urban decay in the inner city: vacant and badly maintained buildings, squatting and building hi-jacking, illegal conversions & overcrowding; and poorly maintained and managed public areas.

Ten years later ladies and gentlemen, I speak with pride when I say we believe that we have managed to alleviate many of these problems.  In the last decade, the JDA has been involved in a number of catalytic urban renewal projects.  The redevelopment of Newtown which began in 2001 with the construction of the Nelson Mandela Bridge, the refurbishment of Mary Fitzgerald Square, and construction of Number 1 Central Place created the required connectivity between Newtown and its surrounding areas.  

Ten years on, there are a number of new developments in the pipeline for Newtown: the potato sheds on the northern side of the Market Theatre will soon be transformed into a multimillion rand mixed use development with a mall and a hotel, the Newgate shopping centre to the East of Newtown will be extended, and there are very exciting plans for a number of large-scale property developments in the Westgate Station Precinct to the South of Newtown.

Constitution Hill, which used to bear sad memories of our past, is now a human rights campus and home to the highest court in land.  Constitution Hill also acted as a catalyst in bridging the gap between corporate Braamfontein and what used to be perceived as the undesirable Hillbrow.  There are interesting prospects for the development of the rest of Constitution Hill.  Public environment upgrade projects in Hillbrow (including the Hillbrow Health Precinct) have helped to create areas like the Ekhaya Neighbourhood where residents live good quality urban lives where they can walk safely in the streets and children can play in parks.

As development manager for the City of Johannesburg, the JDA also constructed the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit system which has changed the visual landscape of, not only the inner city, but the rest of Johannesburg.  This important public transport service brings up to 34 000 people into town every day and already signs of the impact of this market are apparent with new shops opening up around the Rea Vaya bus stations.

JDA is very proud of the role it played in getting Johannesburg ready for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, constructing support infrastructure around Ellis Park and FNB Stadiums Sport Precincts.

The JDA has built a substantial public art portfolio in the City of Joburg. Public art enhances the urban environment, increases the use and enjoyment of public spaces, and builds social cohesion. Some of my favourite public artworks are the Fietas Subway Mural, the Firewalker and the Eland.  All these artworks celebrate the rich history and culture of Johannesburg.

Ladies and gentlemen, within the ten year period the concept of a programme that recognises the efforts of partners who share the City’s vision to build a better future was born: the Halala Joburg Awards.

It is important to remember, that the JDA alone cannot rejuvenate all areas of decay, hence the need to identify and recognise those private sector and civil society stakeholders who, through their investments and effort, are contributing to regeneration in the inner city through the Halala Joburg Awards.

Ladies and gentlemen, the foundation laid by the City has led to numerous private sector initiatives to invest in the development of properties within the inner city.  It is these initiatives that we aim to recognize and celebrate with the Halala Joburg Awards.

Opening of nominations and Halala Background

The annual Halala Joburg Awards recognise and honour people, projects and places that strive to improve the quality of life in the inner city and ensure that the vibrant heart of Joburg continues to beat a steady rhythm of growth and development.

The JDA, has awarded individuals, projects and programmes in order to encourage extraordinary effort; recognise exceptional action that breaks new ground in urban regeneration; and advance sustainable economic growth, community well-being and the quality of life of Joburg residents.  

It is our intention to foster originality; recognise pioneering and innovative projects initiated by brave thinkers whose passion has opened new horizons in the inner city.  The Halala Joburg Awards also recognise commitment and dedication to fostering partnerships, initiating joint programmes and catalysing sustainable developments which promote social harmony.

Since inception the Halala Joburg Awards have recognised 21 companies and individuals.  The number of nominations received grows each year which gives us confidence that we are on the right path.

The call for nominations for 2011 officially opens today (15 March 2011) from 12:00.  Nomination forms are now available on both the JDA and City of Johannesburg websites.  The nomination process will close on 22 April 2011.  A detailed presentation on the nomination process will be made after this talk.

In closing and in thanking you all for being here today, I would like to remind you of the words of former President Nelson Mandela, who said: “We must use time wisely and forever realise that the time is always ripe to do right.”

I believe that we at the JDA have used the last ten years wisely and done the right thing.  In reviewing the Halala Joburg Awards it is clear that many of our partners have also used their time wisely.  We look forward to finding and celebrating a new batch of Halala Joburg Award winners who have also done the right thing.

End…