The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) was tasked with the project management of the establishment of a tented camp at Wembley Stadium for the vulnerable during the national lockdown on behalf of the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) together with the Gauteng Province.
The project entailed setting up an initial cluster of 20 tents at Wembley stadium with all the supporting services and amenities that will allow the site to cater for an additional 11 clusters in the immediate term. This project was launched on Saturday, 25 April with the MEC of Social Development and Executive Mayor of Joburg and MMC for Social Development.
The Disaster Regulations and National Lockdown brought focus to the City of Johannesburg’s (CoJ’s) plans, capacities and resources to address the short, medium and long-term requirements for the homeless and displaced people. While the Lockdown period called for immediate interventions, the City of Joburg is planning for a more sustainable, integrated and holistic approach in dealing with displaced people from a human, social development, spatial and economic perspective post the lockdown period.
During the current lockdown period CoJ Social Development assisted by both the Province and National spheres of government and donations by private persons/ organizations provides shelter and access to basic services to the displaced people. However, there is not sufficient number of shelters both in the inner city and all other regions. The current shelters are over populated leaving people with no other option but to sleep wherever they can find shelter.
To address this state of affairs the CoJ’s department of Social Development appointed JDA to project manage the establishment of a tented city at Wembley Stadium. The JDA, a wholly owned entity of the City of Johannesburg, combines a social, economic and environmental mandate as an area-based development agency with strong project management capabilities and thus suitably placed to coordinate this project.
As the JDA we quickly responded to this clarion call and managed to use our access our built environment professionals made up of architects, contractors and engineers to assist with expediting the project. Ntsika Architects, HBC Construction, Zidlaphi Legomo & Associates, R Mahange & Associates and Mimuso Group. The JDA and the City would like to acknowledge and thank these private sector companies who have during the weeks provided their professional services as donations, says Anthony Ngcezula, JDA Chief Executive.
Issued by:
Johannesburg Development Agency
Susan Monyai
Email: smonyai@jda.org.za