September, 2009

Liberia: 'Home for Life Project" Opens 50 Homes in Bomi '

September 30, 2009 - 18:20 — AA Network

Liberia: 'Home for Life Project" Opens 50 Homes in Bomi ' - Fifty homes constructed by A United States-based Charity, 'Living Waters International,' have been officially opened in Sasstown, Klay District, Bomi County. Under the 'Home for Life Project,' which targets deprived widows in the area, the Charity is also renovating more than 80 dwelling homes, damaged as a result of the civil conflict. [AA Urbanisation]

Liberia: Jica Unveils Monrovia, Urban Master Plan Woods Says Implementation Under Serious Consideration

September 30, 2009 - 18:19 — AA Network

Liberia: Jica Unveils Monrovia, Urban Master Plan Woods Says Implementation Under Serious Consideration - The Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) has officially unveiled the Draft Final Report of the Master Plan Study on Urban Facilities Restoration and Improvement in Monrovia. [AA Urbanisation]

Kenya: Local Authorities Reform Plan Underway

September 30, 2009 - 18:19 — AA Network

Kenya: Local Authorities Reform Plan Underway - Reforms in the local authorities are inevitable if the country is to achieve its development objectives, key among them ability to attract investors. [AA Urbanisation]

Kenya: Slum Dwellers to Get Sh1.7 Billion Sanitation Upgrade

September 30, 2009 - 18:18 — AA Network

Kenya: Slum Dwellers to Get Sh1.7 Billion Sanitation Upgrade - Thousands of poor urban households will gain access to water and sanitation services in a Sh1.7 billion deal targeting the slums. [AA Urbanisation]

Eco-Tourism Park to be completed in 2010

September 30, 2009 - 18:03 — AA Network
By Nthambeleni Gabara

Mutale - An Eco-Tourism Park at the Tshikuyu Village in Limpopo will be completed in January 2010 just in time for the thousands of soccer fans who will descend on the country for the biggest soccer spectacle ever.

The R30 million project, which started in 2007, will play a vital role in providing accommodation to tourists who will be visiting the Kruger National Park during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and beyond.

The park will consist of modern and stylish chalets, an administration block, a conference hall, swimming pools, a restaurant, ladies bar and a curio shop.

Local Economic Development Manager at the district municipality, Mukundi Mushaphi said since the start of the project, several jobs were created for locals.

"The project has already created 93 temporary jobs in construction and it will further create 200 more jobs in the fields of security, cleaning, game ranging, maintenance and other services."

Herbivorous wild animals such as the kudus, impalas and zebras will be conserved at the park, except the big five.

Busses, trains to play major role in 2010

September 30, 2009 - 18:01 — AA Network
By Chris Bathembu

Johannesburg - Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele is upbeat about transport preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, saying buses and trains will play a major role in transporting people during the soccer spectacle.

Speaking to BuaNews on Wednesday at this year's launch of Transport Month, Ndebele was confident that government has put to rest all doubts about the country's transport capability during the tournament.

"I'm sure what you have witnessed here today is enough to convince you that indeed our transport system will be ready for the world cup tournament," Ndebele said. He was referring to the launch of the state-of-the-art Translux busses that will be used to ferry officials and fans alike during the soccer showpiece.

Government has bought at least 570 of the luxury buses and they will be managed by the Passenger Rail Management Association (PRMA) and Autopax, a company that is responsible for the Translux fleet.

LOC happy with SA's transport, safety plans

September 30, 2009 - 18:00 — AA Network

By Professor Ndawonde

Johannesburg - The 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee is confident that government has the correct safety and transport plans in place, ahead of the world's largest soccer event next year.

After meeting with the Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa and Minister for Transport Sibusiso Ndebele on Wednesday, Chief Executive Officer, Dr Danny Jordaan, said the country was moving in the right direction.

"Their plans clearly show that government is committed to working towards providing adequate and safe transport and implementing significant security measures. The plans in place will ensure that we stage the World Cup in a safe environment," Jordaan told BuaNews.

He had been apprehensive after concerns were raised around these two aspects during the recent FIFA Confederations Cup.

However, after hearing reports from the two ministers, he said he was "certain that will not be a problem at all during the World Cup".

FIFA pleased with progress in construction of SA's 2010 stadia

September 30, 2009 - 17:54 — AA Network
By Proffesor Ndawonde

Johannesburg - International football governing body FIFA said on Wednesday it was pleased with the progress South Africa had made in completing the 2010 FIFA World Cup stadia.

"Overall we are very impressed with the achievements made," said Ron DelMont, who heads up FIFA's office in South Africa.

A 50-member delegation from the Local Organising Committee and FIFA conducted a comprehensive inspection of all five stadiums in Durban, Limpopo, Cape Town, Mpumalanga and Port Elizabeth recently.

The site visits revealed that preparations were on track for all stadiums to be completed by the end of the year. In most instances, the physical construction of the stadiums is virtually complete, with almost all seats installed as well as pitches newly-laid.

"In addition to the stadiums coming together, we were equally pleased that the teams of the LOC, host cities and FIFA are working towards a common vision on the delivery of the event," he said.

LOC Chief Executive Officer Danny Jordaan applauded host cities for their outstanding effort in constructing the stadiums.

Gauteng's Alexandra Renewal Project wins UN Award

September 30, 2009 - 17:44 — AA Network
Johannesburg - Gauteng's Alexandra Renewal Project has been chosen to receive a Scroll of Honour from the United Nations.

Gauteng's MEC for Local Government and Housing, Kgaogelo Lekgoro will leave early next month to the United States to receive the award from UN Habitat, for the province's flagship urban revitalization project.

"We are delighted that we have been selected to receive this award. We see this as a vote of confidence on the policies that we have pursued as government," said Lekgoro.

The Alexandra Project was established in 2001 as an urban regeneration project that aimed to bring social, economic, physical and institutional developments to the historic township.

Its aims among others was to build houses and parks, fix urban infrastructure, convert hostels into family units and change the urban landscape of Alexandra.

According to UN Habitat many candidates were considered for the award.

Housing database registrations extended

September 30, 2009 - 17:39 — AA Network
By Sydney Masinga

Polokwane - Limpopo's Housing Department has extended the deadline for residents who want to register their names on the provincial housing demand database (PHDD). The original deadline was 30 September, but this has been extended to 9 October.

"Due to the overwhelming response, the department has decided to extend the registration deadline," said department spokesperson, Clayson Monyela.

The database is used to capture various housing needs, from low-cost housing to rentals, and residents are required to present their identity documents when registering their details.

"Anyone who needs a house must come forward and register," he said.

Monyela said the database would be used to plan housing developments and allocations in the province.

"This is a system that will radically turn housing delivery in the province around, ensuring that the planning for housing development is done according to customer demand, need and affordability," he said.

Monyela said the database was not a replacement for the housing waiting lists at municipalities.