The programme manager driving the Inner City Regeneration Charter has a wealth of experience that makes her just the person to steer one of the most important mayoral priorities.

Inner city programme manager, Yael Horowitz

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AEL HOROWITZ is pleased she has been re-united with her inner city family. With considerable experience in town planning - she also holds a degree in the discipline - and first-hand knowledge of the workings of the inner city, it is she who will crack the whip over the Inner City Regeneration Charter.

As the inner city programme manager - where she will be until June 2008, when the position will be officially formalised - Horowitz is in charge of making sure charter commitments are delivered.

She attributes her passion for the inner city to two separate career opportunities: first, she had "the fortunate luxury of working in the erstwhile inner city office" and then she had "the extraordinary luxury of starting the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) together with Graham Reid in 2001".

"Those two experiences totally shaped who and what I am."

While in the former position, she soon realised that the heart of Johannesburg did not receive enough focused attention. During her time in that office and later with the JDA she fought hard for a re-emphasis on and re-evaluation of the inner city, and the ring-fencing of an inner city budget.

As the programme manager of the inner city charter, her mandate is to make sure integrated planning takes place and deliverables are met. She must also ensure that the right stakeholders are on board. "My quest will be to co-ordinate, integrate and manage all the deliverables, to fundamentally integrate, and to challenge the silo effect."

And her mission for the next two months will be to blur the boundaries between departments and units because "boundaries interfere with good performance". More specifically, Horowitz says that in the next two months she will be working towards creating a sense of shared commitment for charter deliverables by bringing core departments on board.

"I have enormous faith in the capabilities of people," she says, noting that "cumulatively there is profound knowledge" in the City.

She describes herself as a public servant in every cell of her body, thriving on the combination of politics and administration that is integral to the job. "This is what I am equipped to do. I have the organisational experience, the knowledge of the institution and the environment."

For Horowitz, being a public servant means how to best inform the decision makers. "That means you often have to say things that decision makers do not want to hear, say things that may not be politically correct."

And as a self-confessed devil's advocate, she knows that for projects to be implemented properly, every aspect has to be thoroughly thought-through and disparities must be questioned. "I have to be truthful. I cannot put up smoke and mirrors."

The heart of Joburg is now getting attention

Her new position requires that she not take sides when reporting on deliverables and that she continually build capacity between the various stakeholders. "This means people should become more accountable across the board."

The inner city charter is a paradigm shift from how things were done in the past; it is based on the idea that "we will work together". And with the recent approval of the inner city charter partnership forum, which is made up of public and private stakeholders, the final cogs are in place to drive the process forward.

Quarterly reports on the progress of deliverables will be issued by the partnership forum as the champion of the inner city charter, while the mayoral inner city sub-committee will give political-executive guidance. The oversight role will be fulfilled by the inner city section 79 committee. Horowitz herself will report to the executive director of the department of planning and urban management, Phil Harrison.

A firm hand
Horowitz comes with all the feminine trimmings - a head of thick, glossy blonde hair, trademark high heels, make-up and good looks - but don't expect a gentle, soft stance when it comes to the delivery of inner city projects.

She holds her own among fellow decision makers and managers. "I know what I want and I ask for it," she says, admitting, "I always have an opinion."

Challenges are tackled head-on and Horowitz is known to ask probing questions when she feels this is necessary, refusing to take facts on face value only. This is not barracking, but a desire to check the facts and to get a satisfactory answer. "I want to push people to discover themselves."

Her six years as the manager of planning and strategy at the JDA exposed her to a number of key inner city stakeholders and big developers with whom she has rubbed shoulders on various projects in the past. These include the Baralink project in Soweto, the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown, and the Newtown cultural precinct and Brickfields in the city, among them.

But inner city programme manager is a daunting job. As with any new position in an already existing organisation, especially one the size of the City of Johannesburg, it does not come without tensions and complications. These will have to be resolved so that "true ownership of the inner city" can take place.

The whole charter was developed around the principle of joint capability. It is programme driven and Horowitz believes it is a great business plan but that the challenge lies in the organisational ability to carry it out.

"To date people have not owned the charter. Individuals need to really start embracing the charter, take ownership."

Ready for action
Far from being disheartened by organisational glitches and individual idiosyncrasies, Horowitz feels that she is ready for and up to the task.

"I can't wait to start working on the things that need to be done," she admits excitedly, her face lighting up in anticipation of the many challenges still to be faced - she finds it almost annoying that people are looking forward to the festive season when she is ready to tackle the many inner city projects.

Coming from a generation of development junkies, Horowitz says she is determined that the true meaning of social development should not be obscured by the allure of capital spending. The general public is cynical because promises are made and not fulfilled.

"There is a lack of consistency in our own organisation so far as service delivery is concerned." This cynicism and criticism from the community will continue if the City lags behind on delivery.

"I believe truly that it is emotion and passionate commitment that brings success. I believe I can make a difference." As an individual she brings her boundless energy and passion to the project, but without everyone on board she knows delivery will not take place.

Yet, she has already seen changes in thinking. "There is a shift in thinking among everyone in the inner city, all people, groups, a realisation that they are citizens of Johannesburg."

Working 18 to 20 hours a day means there is little time for other activities. Horowitz likes spending her down-time with a book, and reads up to seven a week, ranging from literary works and autobiographies to lighter beach literature.

She believes life is special, that you should follow your heart. Long ago, as a divorced mother of two young children with no money, she had to make a fresh start. She realised that she needed to stop feeling sorry for herself, that she needed to get up and get things done.

"I had to prove to my kids that if I can do it, anyone can." It is this self-belief that energises her to this day.

Horowitz comes across as self-assured and assertive - it is a confidence that stems from knowing herself and feeling truly fulfilled. "I am pleased that I have a career that excites me."

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