19 July 2002
	Kliptown FACELIFT WILL IMPROVE RESIDENTS' QUALITY OF LIFE By Mallory Saleson Plans for modern housing, tourism, economic growth, and jobs

The transformation of Kliptown, an informal settlement, to a national and international historical site is a daunting challenge. Outlines for infrastructure development, ideas and proposals to encourage private investment are on the table. Kliptown is the 11th project of Blue IQ, added to the list late last year. The objective, according to project leader Aubrey Manganye, is to transform the polluted Klipspruit River into an area that will invite residential and commercial settlement, and entice tourists to come and visit. The challenge lies in the ongoing training and education that will be needed to keep the project sustainable. Kliptown is already a designated national heritage site and a monument will come with the building of the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication, expected to be completed by 2005, in time to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Freedom Charter. The project team has established a community development forum with the people in the area to ensure local aspirations are taken into account. Manganye says enthusiasm is running high. He measures interest and support by the huge attendance at the community forum meetings. About 30 000 people live in Kliptown, mostly in rundown informal structures, using the bucket system for sewage disposal. This poses challenges and opportunities, according to Manganye. The overall objective is to create a well-managed residential and commercial area a major national and international heritage site. Blue IQ is funding the project with R293m that will go towards infra-structure development and environmental clean-up. The Gauteng housing department is contributing another R110m towards affordable housing in the area and the City of Johannesburg is contributing R30m to the overall project. Blue IQ, with the Johannesburg Development Agency as partner, has established a seven-point strategy that Manganye will oversee and implement: Environmental development to maximise the recreational public open space along the Klipspruit River. This would establish recreational areas on the river banks and involve the rehabilitation of the sewer system; Promote economic development thro