Premier Mbhazima Shilowa launched the 20 Township Priority Township Programme in Tembisa

Gauteng 's 20 old townships are set to be rehabilitated; this was announced by Premier Mbhazima Shilowa in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni recently.

Addressing scores of residents of this sprawling township at Mehlareng Stadium, the premier said the programme, 20 Old Established Townships is to improve the standards of these townships by providing social and economic infrastructure.

The 20 Old Established Townships include Atteridgeville, Soshanguve, Mamelodi, Kagiso, Munsieville, Mohlakeng, Boipatong, Bophelong, Sharpeville, Sebokeng, Ratanda, Katlehong, Kwatsaduza, Wattville, Daveyton, Tembisa, Refilwe, Rethabiseng, Orlando and Zola.

The programme will furthermore provide better services such as electricity and water, building quality houses, schools, libraries, sports and recreational facilities and clinics. Adding the premier said the programme will ensure sustainable socio- economic, infrastructure development as well providing job opportunities for residents of these townships.

The Premier committed that all projects to be undertaken will have to be finished by 2009, "because the programme is very specific and time bound", he added. Shilowa said it was appropriate that this programme was launched on Heritage Month.

"The history of our liberation struggle and monuments that epitomize it are found in these areas. It was in these township streets where the battle for our liberation was fought. These areas have produced some of the finest political and business leaders. The townships housed our underground structures and were sites of mass resistance."

He added that it is no wonder that apartheid government paid very little attention to their development. But Shilowa is hopeful that upon completion this programme will encourage young professionals to start buying property in the townships.

In the past said the premier, the trend has seen young professionals opting for previously whites only suburbs, where social and economic infrastructures are excellent and closer to places of economic activity.

Shilowa also said the province was working around the clock in eradicating informal settlements by 2014. And the premier told the crowd that the Backyard Upgrade will ensure that backyard shacks will be replaced by a proper structure.

To fast track these programmes, the premier urged the various MEC's and municipalities to work closely with the communities. He acknowledged that crime and poverty were major problems in the township.

Shilowa appealed to the community to fight against crime in their areas and report perpetrators to the police. "Please do not protect your family members that are guilty of committing a crime because it is destroying our communities."