Seasons Greetings from Cllr Tim
The past year has been a very exciting and frustrating time for a ward councillor.
Exciting – as we explored the new terrain of being in power and being able to see just how complex and intertwined the city is. It has been interesting to negotiate new ways of doing things. For me it has also been exciting seeing my new colleagues come into their own and also watch our Mayor and his team grow in confidence and experience.
Frustrating – as we find the old power bases in the departments, depots and entities cling to their old ways. Also, the legacy of benign neglect and squandering of money and resources makes it very difficult to effect changes.
I often liken the job of turning Joburg around to the renovation of an old and crumbling house. You have to do all the structural and basic work first – put in new plans, water proofing, re-wiring, septic tanks, build up walls, install new windows, etc. Only once all that is done can you put in the flashy things like kitchens, furniture and paint.
It takes lots of planning, money and effort, and time. But slowly the house takes shape and before you know it, you are living in a fantastically renovated house that is fit for purpose and that works.
We are one year in to the renovation of Joburg, there are many years to go. But, already I can start to see the difference. I can’t wait to see the changes that are coming and taking you on the journey.
Happy holidays to you all.
Out of Office Until 8 Jan
I will be on holiday and out of the country from Friday 8 December until 8 January 2018. I will only be checking emails infrequently when I am near a wifi hotspot and I will also not have roaming on my phone.
If you have emailed me regarding a service delivery issue, please use the info below to help you resolve it.
If it’s an emergency, please contact one of the councillors listed below who are standing in for me. But please only contact them if it’s really urgent.
Billing and Disconnections
– Please go to the Randburg Revenue Centre, cnr Bram Fischer
and Jan Smuts, open Mon-Fri 8am-3’30pm and Sat 8am-12’30pm
Water (leaks, meters, sewerage)
– Log via email on customer@jwater.co.za, call 0116881699
Electricity (outages, street lights, smart meters)
– Log online at citypower.mobi or the new City Power App
Roads (potholes, street signs, sidewalks, storm water)
– Log via email on hotline@jra.org.za
Pikitup
– 0113755555
City Parks
– 0113755555 (choose option 0 for fallen trees)
The Cllrs standing in for me are (remember, please only contact them for
emergencies or a really urgent problem):
– Victory Park, Blairgowrie, Pierneef Park, Pine Park:
Cllr Nicole van Dyk ward99jozi@gmail.com | 071-382-1992
– Parkhurst, Rosebank, Parktown North, Saxonwold, Parkwood:
Cllr Bridget Steer bridget.steer@gmail.com | 083-604-0404
Business as Usual for Pikitup this Festive Season
Thanks to The Roodepoort Record for this article.
The City of Johannesburg’s (CoJ) waste management entity has assured residents and businesses that refuse will be collected on all public holidays – except Christmas Day [Note – It falls on a Monday this year].
Affected residents and businesses will have to keep their refuse until 1 January, when Pikitup services resume for the new year.
According to a recent press release, Pikitup expects the festive season collection programme to run without a glitch, despite expecting a higher volume of waste, which is likely to increase, as more residents take leave for December.
Residents are also encouraged to dispose of their waste in a manner that will reduce illegal dumping and overloading of bins. “Waste that is not responsibly disposed of usually results in a health hazard stemming from rat and fly infestations,” said Pikitup’s Muzi Mkhwanazi.
He added that residents should refrain from giving its employees Christmas gifts during this time, as Pikitup does not permit its employees to solicit Christmas donations from residents.
“We want to avoid a repeat of last year’s events, which resulted in 10 people, including Pikitup employees, being arrested in three separate incidents for fraud and misrepresentation,” said Mkhwanazi.
Reformatted Eservices COJ Billing Website
If you don’t receive your CoJ Bill, you can fetch it electronically by registering as a user on http://eservices.joburg.org.za. Keep your account number and PIN handy (it is usually on a copy of each invoice) when using this service. Follow the link “water and lights invoices online” in order to VIEW and download your account via PDF.
Note: If you are an existing user, you will need to choose a new password.
You can also now change your due date to anywhere between 15th and month end on the site.
And you can also update/enter your email address so that your bill can be sent ton you electronically.
Planned Power Outage: 6am-2pm on Thur 14 Dec 2017
City Power is working on the Forest Town sub-station starting at 6am and ending around 2pm. Let’s hope it will solve the numerous dips and outages experienced in the area. The affected suburbs are:
Saxonwold, Parkwood, Rosebank, Forest Town, Parkview, Westcliff and Greenside.
Planned Water Outage: Blairgowrie/Linden Area -8m-5pm on Tue 12 Dec 2017
Suburbs Affected
– Kensington Reservoir Zone
Bryanston Ext.5, Bryanston Ext.3, Beverly Gardens, Ferndale (all Extensions), Strijdom Park, Vandia Grove (All Extensions).
– Linden Reservoir 1
Robindale, Jacanlee, Cresta (Ext.1,3,4,5), Darrenwood and Aldara Park.
– Blairgowrie Reservoir
Blairgowrie and Bordeaux (I assume Pine Park too).
Street Names: Streets within these suburbs will be affected.
Total number of properties affected: Approx. 20 000 properties may be affected.
Expected start date of disruption(s): 12 Dec 2017
Expected start time of disruption(s) 08h00
Expected completion date and time of disruption(s): 12 Dec 2017 at 17h00
Impact on Customers: Customers living within the reservoir zone may be affected 6 hours after the commencement of the shutdown.
Reasons for disruption(s): Planned maintenance at the reservoir site.
Location of temporary alternative source of supply (e.g. Water Tankers): No Water tankers will be supplied.
Brief description of work: Planned maintenance at the reservoir.
Join The DA
If you want to join the DA, it costs R10 a year, or, I would recommend you take out a 5 year membership of R50. Please contact my Branch Membership Secretary – Teigue Payne on 082-892-2218 / teigue.payne@gmail.com. He will send the address where you can sign up and pay online. You can be from anywhere in Joburg as you will be allocated by Head Office to the Branch in your respective ward.
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