By Mumtaz Moosa-Saley
26:08:2021

Having lived in this suburb for a long time, I must give credit where it is due between the residents association and the ward councillor. Norwood is an area that has become the most sought after neighbourhood in Johannesburg. It is well maintained and managed, and we have it all, including a string of restaurants and shops.

Almost five years ago, the city of Johannesburg had embarked on land for an upliftment project. The idea of affordable housing was to be made available, but this is happening at a snail’s pace, as no one knows where to go between contractors and the city.

The site has shown some progress, but residents have issues, such as homeless people erecting makeshift tents in public spaces. This has been a concern for residents living near the development.

However, illegal squatters now camp on a portion of the development site. A river that runs underground on the site poses a risk of collapse during rainy seasons.

Ward 73 councillor Eleanor Huggett alongside Supt Mbhalati from the JMPD, are working hard to ensure residents concerns are heard and the illegal structures we removed. Tents have been removed in the past, continuously, but they tend to pop up in other open spaces such as parks.