ONE of Soweto's oldest areas, Meadowlands, has been thrown a lifeline following the launch of a programme in which the community will get involved in local economic development projects.

The area has many challenges, such as a lack of basic infrastructure, crime, unemployment, and a skills shortage.

Launching the Meadowlands Development Project, originated by the Meadowlands Development Foundation (MDF), Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe - a former resident of the township - commended the Meadowlands community for coming up with such a good idea.

"I commend the school principals and the leaders of the community who have taken this initiative to establish the Meadowlands Development Foundation. Through this MDF, it will be easier to mobilise resources - human and material - for the betterment of the quality of life of the people of this township."

The MDF aimed to encourage residents to get involved in community upliftment initiatives like education, health, skills development and local economic development, explained its chairperson, Thabo Kobo.

"Meadowlands, which has a population of 86 000 people, is faced by many challenges. The township lacks basic infrastructure, good streets, is afflicted by crime, unemployment and has a skills shortage," he said.

To help address these challenges and instead of depending on handouts, the community put its resources together and set up a body that will look into bringing back the dignity of residents.

"We decided to be entrepreneurial-driven and thus set up this foundation. [It] will establish co-operatives and possibly a community bank that will address lack of access to finance to businesses. We also wish to establish small manufacturing functions, promote tourism in the area, establish environmental projects and promote sport and recreation."

The MDF also sought to tackle moral regeneration, one of the thorny issues afflicting Meadowlands, Kobo added. "We also aim to create a heritage trail commemorating the June 16 student uprising."

He explained that the foundation was just six months old and it had been a "roller coaster ride" since it was formed. It was established through the dedication of the community, who had contributed heavily to its sustainability.

"The main purpose of the foundation is to inculcate a spirit of self-reliance. Later, we want the foundation to become a tertiary co-operative."

Johannesburg Executive Mayor Amos Masondo, thanked residents of Meadowlands "for starting something that will add value" to their lives.

"As the City, we welcome the idea of this forum because we think indeed it will lead us somewhere. It will inspire many others to do the same. I commend business people, soccer legends, academia and labour unions for making this contribution," he said.

Motlanthe said the national government pledged its support for the foundation. "As the government, we pledge our support and readily avail ourselves to partner the foundation. You can count on us to lend a helping hand because there is still a long, long way to go. I hope this occasion is not the last of its kind."

The deputy president also had some advice for the MDF, saying it must ensure it was all-inclusive and rooted in the hearts of all sectors of the people of Meadowlands. "If all this is done, the sky is the limit," he said.

Taking people back to the days when Meadowlands was established, community leader Susan Moposho said people were moved from Sophiatown, Kofifi in 1954, after the passing of the Group Areas Act. People from Alexandra and Vrededorp were also moved to Meadowlands.

"After the passing of the Act, Sophiatown was pronounced a black spot and had to be removed, paving the way for the whites ... Sophiatown was a place where some black people, Chinese people and some Indians had bought themselves some properties. They would build rooms and in turn let them out to those who needed accommodation."

Most of these sub-tenants had come to the city from the rural areas looking for work. One could find whole families living in a single room. "Despite these conditions, people were happy and lived together as a united family," Moposho said.

Source: Joburg