“WE honour people who strive to improve the quality of life in the Inner City of Johannesburg. The primary role of the Halala Joburg awards is to give recognition to those who continue to inject momentum into the City’s regeneration efforts,” Thanduxolo Mendrew, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the JDA.
This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) and JDA has played a critical role in facilitating and investing in the transformation of Johannesburg.
Out of 33 nominees and 18 shortlisted the below were the winners of the 2011 Halala Joburg Awards.
South Point Student Accommodation, providing a safe, secure & modern accommodation for university students. The innovation in developing shared accommodation options that are really affordable; and the associated lifestyle facilities like a gym, bars and student-oriented retail make this a valuable contribution to inner city regeneration.
South Point has reshaped Braamfontein. Claiming public streets and spaces and opening up retail frontages to create a student neighbourhood that is safe and lots of fun.
This won the Living Joburg “Not Houses But Homes” category which recognises residential projects that provide the best possible innovative, progressive and inclusive housing that addresses the needs of Inner City residents and supports community development.
Fox Street Mall (Phase 1) The Fox Street Mall development represents an extension of the gains achieved through Gandhi Square and it demonstrates great potential as OPH Property looks to complete further phases of the Mall upgrade and begins to consider other links Southwards.
The Fox Street Mall development won the Working and Buying Joburg category, with the sub-theme “Creating a business destination”, which recognises innovative, exciting and striking commercial and retail developments that attract people to the city.
Sci- Bono Discovery Centre as the winner in the Relaxing and Playing Joburg category with a sub- theme “The recreation destination” in 2011 for the extent of the impact and the sustainability of the business model all speak to the impact of this development. The hundreds of thousands of people who come into Newtown to visit Sci Bono every year speaks about the role that Sci Bono plays in keeping Newtown buzzing. The important role that Sci Bono plays in improving science and maths education outcomes is also noteworthy. There are also very exciting plans to extend the Sci Bono offering in future.
ABSA Towers West, a new office development spanning 3 city blocks in the inner city. It fully integrates with other urban initiatives like Rea Vaya & the Campus Improvement District. This development has been particularly focused on principles of sustainable green building & has been designed to meet a 5 star rating by the South African Green Building Council.
This development won the Sustaining Joburg category which highlighted the original and exciting use of the well managed public space and projects that support the regenerations of the inner city for their a new office development spanning 3 city blocks in Joburg CBD.
The Salisbury House refurbishment has been handled in a sensitive and determined way, and the restoration of this important building is a valuable contribution to the City of Joburg’s heritage.
The Salisbury House won in the Conserving Joburg category with sub- theme “Joburg Past, Present and Future” acknowledging an outstanding achievement in conserving building, group of buildings or any other urban heritage element valued of its historical, social scientific and or architectural importance.
The Caring Joburg award includes a cash donation of R10 000 for the winning nominee in support of their work. In 2011 the Halala adjudicators awarded this award to two projects.
Firstly to the Berea Baptist Church team and their Door of Hope Childrens mission, for their important work in making sure that every child has a chance at a better life.
Secondly to the School of Practical Philosophy for their extensive reach and the valuable contribution they make to education and human development.
Caring Joburg category, recognises the selfless and community –minded individuals, volunteer groups and organisations who create the caring heart of the city.
Gerald Olitzki has created an inner city neighbour hood that is well – managed safe retail and transit precinct. Gandhi Sqaure is a popular retail and recreation hub that buzzes with activity and interest, and as we learnt this Fox Street Mall is set to extend these improvements in the inner city.
Gerald was awarded the Believing Joburg – The Stan Nkosi Achievement Award for being an urban generation leader and a role model.
The adjudication panel was made of Thanduxolo Mendrew the acting Chief Executive of the JDA; Nkosinathi Manzana Chief Operating Officer of the JDA; Erika Naude, Group Executive: Strategy and Programs at Blue IQ Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd; Eric Itzkin, a specialist in Johannesburg history, has worked as a researcher, museum curator and heritage manager and Salome Segani who is the Managing Partner – Property and Housing at Musa Capital Advisor.
Mendrew added, “Rejuvenating the city is not an easy task, therefore we will continue to identify and recognise those who are committed in improving the city.”
For more information contact:
Sibongile Mqakayi
HMC Seswa
011 704 6618
Sibongile@hmcseswa.co.za
or
Susan Monyai
JDA
011 688 7851
monyais@jda.org.za