The ANC-run Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality has blown a cumulative R60 million on two sites in Etwatwa, Daveyton to stimulate economic growth in the most economically depressed area in the municipality, but once again – like anything built by the municipality, both sites are inoperable white elephants.
I conducted an oversight inspection to these sights and was joined by Ward 26 DA Candidate, Ashley Nyaniso, Ward 109 DA Candidate, Clr Raymond Dlhamini, Ward 66 DA Candidate, Clr Kabelo Mahonko, DA Shadow MMC for Economic Development, Clr Senzi Sibeko and DA Constituency Head for Etwatwa/Daveyton, Mat Cuthbert MP.
The Barcelona Trading Centre, opened in 2016, at a cost of R6 million, was supposed to create a safe and dignified trading space for small businesses in the area.
However, the 21 units at the centre are vacant.
Speaking to traders who operate across the road – traders who should be situated in the centre, they bemoaned the lack of public participation as the site does not draw the foot traffic from the Barcelona Clinic opposite where they trade.
Intermittent and unreliable water and electricity supply has caused the site to be all but abandoned.
Taps are missing from inside the stalls, windows are broken and the site is adorned in litter.
See pictures here here here and here
This was the same situation at the abandoned Etwatwa Business Hive that we visited.
At a cost of R44 million, the Hive was opened in February 2019, yet has never seen a single tenant.
The ceilings are falling in, the light fittings are coming off the walls and there is no water supply.
This site, which could easily support 100 businesses, stands vacant and unused.
Residents of the community have not been encouraged to make use of the centre – with many not knowing what the site was constructed for.
Like other costly white elephants in the municipality, these sites are wasted opportunities to stimulate local economies and rapidly reduce the spiralling unemployment rate in Ekurhuleni which now sits at 39%.
Local economies and local job creation are vital for the survival and upliftment of places such as Etwatwa.
Under the DA, every white elephant economic opportunity in Ekurhuleni will be revitalised to get our economy growing.
Economic stimulation is key to lifting our people out of squalor.
As Mayor, I will not sit by and let our people remain trapped in poverty and hopelessness.