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News and media releases: 2009
News and media releases: 2009
| Joburg's inner city celebrated |
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| 03 June 2009 |
The inaugural Halala Awards
There are 82 nominations this year; the winners will be announced at the Constitution Hill Round House on 11 June. The awards, which are aimed at identifying and celebrating those people and projects that are reviving the inner city, are run by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA). "This is the second year that the JDA has awarded the Halala Joburg Awards and there is an increase in the numbers and the quality of nominations," says Joanne Millan, the head of research at Thabiso Consulting, the awards' project managers. "As Joburg has reclaimed its heart so have the people of the city, who have identified and nominated buildings, projects and people who have made contributions that have a direct impact on the lives of those using the city." The objectives of the awards are to recognise and acknowledge outstanding contributions and commitments to regeneration through private and public sector projects. They aim to encourage effort in building sustainable and inclusive regeneration projects, recognising the role and relationship between the private and public sectors. Partnerships are also fostered in the regeneration of the inner city. Originality is the hallmark of the awards, which encourage efforts to break new ground in regeneration, advance sustainable economic growth and build community wellbeing. CategoriesThere are seven categories, with a new one added this year - Sustaining Joburg; its theme is Past, present and future. Projects and individuals that have applied innovative, environmentally sound and heritage-sensitive uses and approaches to attracting investment, reviving regeneration and driving development in the inner city fall into this category.
Mayoral committee member development planning and urban management Ruby Mathang
"A new category, Sustaining Joburg, was inaugurated in 2009 with a very strong public response. This has [had] nominations that highlight the original and exciting use of well-managed public space and projects that support leading-edge environmental approaches." Another category celebrating the restoration and preservation of buildings is the Colosseum Award. A floating trophy, it honours the heritage that forms the frame of Joburg. Living Joburg, with the theme Not houses but homes, looks at residential projects that provide affordable accommodation and housing developments. "The Living Joburg category has received a significant boost in the volume and variety of nominations, with a number of entrepreneurs making their appearance in response to the risks they have taken in providing accessible and affordable housing in the city, while those who have undertaken to provide luxury inner city living have also been included," says Millan. DestinationWorking and Buying, with the theme Creating a business destination, distinguishes innovative commercial and retail developments that attract people to the business hub.Relaxing and Playing Joburg, themed The recreation destination, recognises original use of public space, urban art, sports and recreation, and entertainment facilities, such as gyms, restaurants and theatres, among others. Caring Joburg, themed Supporting Joburg's citizens, focuses on individuals and organisations that create the "caring heart" of the city and ensure that these services and facilities are available. Lastly, Believing In Joburg - The Stan Nkosi Lifetime Achievement Award has the theme Joburg the home of innovators, investors and implementers. In this category, the JDA honours its past chairman, Stan Nkosi. New featuresMillan says there has been some fine-tuning of the awards this year - the second time they are being made to ensure six JDA strategic objectives are met:
WinnersWinning projects and people will have a professional examination detailing the method, model and implementation of the project or programme, for publication in a book.They will also get a statue encapsulating the spirit of Joburg and the awards. Less tangible but no less valuable, they will get the recognition of their peers and public exposure of the work. The JDA launched the annual Halala Joburg Awards in 2007. The inner city was beginning to transform and it believed that transformation needed to be celebrated and recognised. "The JDA Halala Joburg Awards are a celebration of regeneration, investment and development in the inner city of Joburg. It is therefore fitting that the name is a contraction of the Sotho word ‘Halalesela' meaning to celebrate or a celebration," says Millan.  |
| HALALA JOBURG | |
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The Halala Joburg Awards celebrate projects that have made a difference in the Inner City. | TENDERS | |
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| ABOUT THE JDA |
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The Johannesburg Development Agency, set up as a limited liability company, is an agency of the City of Johannesburg that stimulates and supports area-based economic development initiatives throughout the metropolitan area.