The Jabulani node is fast becoming a symbol of how catalytic intervention and strategic capital investments in areas that have been previously marginalised, or have failed to attract private investment, can unlock development potential, stimulate local economies and boost job creation and entrepreneurial development.
The development, undertaken by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), will now enter Phase 6B and has become one of the City’s signature projects for using transit-oriented development (TOD) as a catalyst for attracting investment into an area while improving the quality of life of local residents.
Phase 6B, which was allocated R45 million, entails the development of a community and recreational environment for people of all ages consisting of a Jabulani Community Facility and a SAFA Safe Hub.
The Jabulani community facility will consist of a multipurpose hall with a basketball court, changing rooms and tiered seating, a library, counselling facilities, offices and meeting rooms which aligns with the JDA’s principle of creating public spaces which are creatively designed and move towards greater adaptability and multiplicity of use to ensure their longer-term sustainability.
The SAFA Safe Hub element of the building will consist of changing rooms, internal and external entertaining spaces, a kitchen and coffee bar, workshops, computer/IT rooms, a training centre and other amenities. The SAFA Safe Hub is part of a national vision in creating a change in South African Football, in order to reach the goal of the national teams being consistently in the top 3 teams in Africa and the top 20 in the world.
Phase 6B’s development will supplement the various developments that have taken place so far. These include, Jabulani Views, these are the new residential apartments, Jabulani Mall, the acclaimed state of the art Soweto Theatre, a 300 bed hospital, – all of which are conveniently located next to the main BRT route running through Soweto and connecting with Johannesburg’s CBD.
Issued by:
Johannesburg Development Agency
Susan Monyai
Email: smonyai@jda.org.za