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Evaton Renewal Project Elects new executive members

The Gauteng Department of Housing in partnership with Sedibeng District and Emfuleni Municipality convened a two-day annual general meeting this month to re-engineer the Everton Renewal Project. The meeting was attended by over 250 delegates representing various structures within Evaton.

The meeting elected new executive members of the Evaton Development Forum. The new members are: Chairperson - Mr Lord Mc Camel, Deputy Chairperson - Mr Moalosi Moremi, Secretary - Mr David Tshabalala, Deputy Secretary - Mr Pat Ndlovu, and Treasurer - Ms Sibongile Mphuthi. Five additional members were also elected.

The Evaton Renewal Project is the Gauteng provincial government programme aimed at rejuvenating the township through the development of infrastructure and other basic amenities. The Evaton Renewal Masterplan was embraced by both the private sector and financial institutions to accelerate social and economic projects was unveiled.

Housing MEC Ms Nomvula Mokonyane explained: "The masterplan provides a better and improved plan for public participation, clarity on roles and responsibilities. The master plan will ensure high impact development prioritising infrastructure upgrade, roads and transport network, housing and local economic development."

The plan consist of 5 main development precincts - West, East, Government and Sport, Heritage and Central as well as the Overarching precinct. The precincts will become active economic nodes offering services and facilities such as taxi ranks, a shopping centre, mixed housing, town square, sports facilities, art school, municipal offices and a chapel. This integrated plan will be implemented over 3 years through a public private partnership.

"This new approach is based on a block-by-block development to ensure high impact delivery able to improve the social and economic status of Everton within a short period of time," added MEC Ms Mokonyane.

MEC Mokonyane also issued a stern warning to all parties involved in the Evaton Renewal Programme to stop bickering and focus on the successful implementation of the programme.

As part of fast tracking the project, MEC Mokonyane announced that the department has since formed a political steering committee to ensure accountability and give guidance to the project. Project teams consisting of officials from Housing Department and Local Authority including members of the private sector have been established to coordinate and implement various projects as outlined in the Master Plan.