On a study tour to the City, a delegation from Dar es Salaam visited Alexandra to find out more about the township's urban renewal programme.

Johannesburg executive mayor Amos Masondo gives his counterpart from Dar es Salaam, Jerome D Bwanausi, a photograph of the Nelson Mandela bridge
(Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)

ALEXANDRA township was in the spotlight on 25 May, during a visit to the City of Johannesburg by a delegation from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 

The group, a delegation of municipal councillors from Temeke, Lilala and Kinonbo municipalities, was on a study tour of the City.

Hosted by Johannesburg's Innovation and Knowledge Exchange unit, the group was told about the various developments in Alexandra before being taken on a tour of the township itself.

The Alexandra Renewal Project is a billion rand initiative to improve the living conditions of the township.

The director of the Alexandra Renewal Project, Julian Baskin, highlighted the successes achieved between 1998 and 2005:

• The number of formal houses built in the township had increased from from 40.6 percent to 52.2 percent
• Electricity supply was up from 62 percent to 80 percent
• Unemployment was down from 31 percent to 27 percent
• Crime was down 40 percent
• The number of pupils who passed matric was up from 17 percent to 69 percent

It was important to understand the history of the township to evaluate the progess of the renewal programme, the delegates were told.

Alexandra, described by Nelson Mandela as "exhilarating and precarious", is a sprawling ghetto township of 2km², surrounded by wealthy suburbs like Sandton and Wendywood.

The township's history goes back to the early 1900s, with people from rural areas settling in the area. It has had a turbulent history, surviving the era of forced removals and conflict.

The township, for decades referred to as the "dark city" because it had no electricity, continues to attract people moving to Johannesburg in search of jobs.

Infrastructure in Alexandra was originally designed for a population of 70 000. The 2001 census figures state that some 170 000 people live in the township - other figures put it at 350 000.

One of the major challenges for the renewal project is the provision of housing. "A key challenge is to improve the state of overcrowding," said Baskin.

People had to be moved from the township to other areas, such as Diepsloot and Bramfisherville, to create sufficient space for development. As part of the renewal programme, housing sites were provided in Diepsloot and Bramfischerville.

The programme also entails upgrading the township's infrastructure, providing water and sewerage systems, and providing facilities such as schools and clinics. The renewal programme also involves plans to boost local economic development and create jobs.

The delegates were then taken on a tour of the township, to the projects that form part of the renewal programme.

Leader of the delegation, Mayor Jerome D Bwanausi, thanked the City for its support. "We thank you for the exchange of ideas and we are still learning from you."

He said the visit would give the delegation ideas on "how to deal with our own Alexandra's at home".