A small community bridge project in the settlement of Finetown in the south of Johannesburg has become a symbol of a larger issue of a lack of infrastructure and accountability in the community despite the political promises made in 2023.
According to Action for Accountability (A4A), an organisation that aims to support communities and hold local leaders accountable, the story of this community is more than just a bridge.
POWER OF COMMUNITY ACTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY
It is a testament to the power of community action and accountability, a symbolic mark of what the community can achieve by working hand in hand with public representatives to support a culture of accountability and good governance.
“This story is about more than the new bridge that is being built; it is a testament to the power of community action and accountability. It showcases how a community, through its collective efforts, can bring about positive change and hold authorities accountable,” says Makoma Maponya, the national spokesperson for A4A.
She said the community had faced the daily challenge of crossing a stream on their daily trips to reach their homes, local shops, and nearby schools for many years.
“The lack of a bridge across the stream not only made life difficult, but also symbolised a larger issue of a lack of infrastructure. Despite promises made during the 2023 by-elections, progress on a solution was stagnant,” Maponya said.
“Beyond a safe route to school, the young people in Finetown have gained an expanded vision of what is possible for themselves and their community,” she added.
FINETOWN MOTHERS BEING ACTIVE CITIZENS FOR CHANGE
“They have the opportunity to see their mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers trained in being active citizens for change and to see their community come together to invest in a project that will create sustainable and lasting impact,” she said
Despite the initial challenges the community faced which included budget constraints, the project able to mobilise and train community members in using community monitoring tools to address service delivery problems to make the government more accountable to communities.
COMPLETION OF FINETOWN BRIDGE BROUGHT IMMENSE JOY AND RELIEF
By the end of January this year, the long-awaited construction of the bridge was underway, and it has since been completed.
“The news brought immense relief to parents and students alike, who had long endured the challenges posed by the lack of a safe and reliable passage,” said Maponya.
“Many residents have openly expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the impending completion of the bridge, recognising its potential to significantly improve their quality of life.” she. said.
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