Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) Chief Executive Officer Thanduxolo Mendrew joined in with his staff members in making a difference at Westbury Primary School on Mandela Day, Monday 18 July.
Following an enthusiastic reception from the learners at the school’s assembly area, the JDA team, geared up in overalls and gloves, got stuck in repainting the ablution block a lively sky blue colour.
City of Joburg MMC for Development Planning Roslynn Greeff, who stopped over at Westbury Primary to lend her support, said the JDA’s contribution would help improve the learning environment at Westbury Primary.
“The City is committed to investing in the upliftment of local communities in areas where its spatial and local economic development projects are located,” MMC Greeff said.
INVESTING IN COMMUNITIES ALONG CORRIDORS OF FREEDOM
The JDA is currently implementing a number of catalytic projects in Westbury, as part of the City focus on upgrading areas along the Empire-Perth Corridor of Freedom.
These include the construction of a landmark new pedestrian bridge on Fuel Road, as well as:
- The construction of Westbury’s multi-million rand new healthcare centre, which is set to be one of the City’s model clinics.
- The upgrade of Westbury’s sports stadium and recreational park.
- The construction of “complete streets” with pedestrian-cycling infrastructure on Kretzschmar Street, Dowling Avenue and Steytler Road.
- The construction of pedestrian-cycling infrastructure along Du Plessis Street and Main/Dublin Road as well as along Millar Street, Victoria/Ludlow Road, Edward Road and 4th Avenue in neighbouring Sophiatown and Westdene.
- Various housing developments, including the renovation and redevelopment of apartments as well as new housing.
- A heritage scoping study to identify heritage conservation projects in the area.
MANDELA ‘BELIEVED STRONGLY IN HUMAN DIGNITY’
Westbury Primary Principal Sheldon Maconi expressed his gratitude to the JDA and the staff of Kingsway Civil, the principal contractor on the Westbury pedestrian bridge project, who had partnered with the JDA on the repainting job.
“I think we are following up on Nelson Mandela’s legacy, and it is a lesson for our learners on the importance of trying to better the lives of others and not to fall into the trap of only receiving.
“Our learners are from a poorer environment, with some coming from squatter camps which don’t have proper toilets,” Maconi said. “They should not be deprived of this in school.”
Chief Executive Mendrew said repainting the school’s toilets was in line with the values of Nelson Mandela, who believed strongly in human dignity.
“We are proud to have made a significant contribution to the school, and the JDA remains keen on participating in initiatives that make a positive difference,” Mendrew said, adding that the agency was looking into helping the school with its food garden in the future.