Work starts on Newtown

Luzuko Pongoma

Work to develop Newtown into a world class precinct has started, after it took a knock that saw the area being a haven for hobos and illegal squatters.

The area, which was supposed to be the cultural hub of Johannesburg, is receiving an R857m injection which will include a hotel, office park and movie theatre.

The area ended up as a place for people who blocked the road with their carts, used to transport recycled items after the closure of popular hot spots like Horror Café and Shivava.

Ester Tsotetsi, who sells food opposite the construction site, said that she was happy that development had started and hoped her business would grow.

“Some workers have come to buy food here and I hope to have more customers,” she said.

Tsotetsi said that she had been selling food in the area for more than four years.

For graffiti artists nearby the development could be their worst nightmare.

An artist who introduced himself only as Sam said: “I hope they don’t chase us away. This is the only place we have.”

Newtown resident Bonolo Matshidiso said, “It is great to have a mall close to the residential area. You can go out at night, watch movies and residents will get jobs.”

Matshidiso urged the city to clean the area before its opening.

“They must clear the rubbish, the empty spaces and buildings, and move the people who sleep under the bridges so that we can be safe.”

The rest of the development will start in June.

City of Joburg Property Company (JPC) spokesperson Brian Mahlangu said: “The Majestic is 2688m² of retail and office development, where an estimated 160 permanent jobs will be created when the development starts in June.”

He said that companies such as Protea Hotels, Shoprite Checkers, Edgars and others would be tenants.

Mahlangu said that the Newtown Junction, popularly known as the Potato Shed, was a 2.1ha high-density retail and hotel development that is expected to create at least 1700 jobs for the residents of the area.

The illegal occupants of the facility moved out voluntarily after negotiations between them and JPC.

Mahlangu said that the developer, Atterbury Property Developments, had taken occupation of the site in February.

“JPC’s objectives were to enhance the city’s property portfolio, both socially and economically, to increase economic growth and broad-based black economic empowerment, while creating jobs and economic opportunities for the disadvantaged communities and businesses,” he said

“JPC does not use agents or brokers when leasing or selling property as legal requirements demand that we have an open tender system in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act and its various regulations.

“This allows everyone an opportunity to participate in the economic development of a world class African city,” he said.

Mahlangu said the project was expected to be complete by late 2012, with the rest of the development.