November 27, 2006
By Neil Fraser
A Social Movement Against Crime
LAST Monday I attended the launch at Constitution Hill of A Social Movement Against Crime, a joint initiative of
The Star newspaper and Gauteng's 130 community policing forums (CPFs).
Basically, the initiative seeks to reinvigorate the numerous CPFs, but primarily it is about creating a new spirit of volunteerism among communities, business - both formal and informal, faith-based organisations, trade unions, non-governmental organisations and other public and private institutions.
There were some good speeches (a bit too many, I think there were eight in all), generally centred on "working together, we can create a safe and secure environment" by "getting involved", remembering that "reducing crime begins with your individual effort" and "we are all part of the solution to crime". I've always found the United States to be the home of volunteerism and it is one trait that we have generally failed to adopt.
But we were reminded how successfully the struggle movement mobilised the townships and that this approach of door-to-door, street-to-street community enlistment should be part of the process in fighting crime. Thus there was a lot of the talk focused on getting communities effectively to "freeze out" criminals and criminal activity.
I think it can work if we can just get the commitment.
One message that really struck a chord with me was from Susan Shabangu, the feisty deputy minister of safety and security. Here at last is a politician who understands the basics related to the 2010 Fifa World Cup. She was sick and tired, she said, of hearing people talk about the necessity of safety and security for visitors to the 2010 event. What we must focus on is getting safety and security right now, for ourselves, for the country and its citizens - the rest will follow, she said. Right on!
While on the subject of crime, I don't know if you noticed from the recently released crime stats that inter-personal crime in Joeys has been on the increase. Why? Surely one of the reasons is that as we densify the city without providing appropriate and additional amenities, public space and so on, tensions rise between people and these are increasingly manifested in violence.
So it is not surprising that one of the first replies I received to my request last week for suggestions on improving the inner city to be referred to the planned Inner City Summit was that the city should: "close streets in the blocks around Beyers Naude Square from Kerk to Commissioner streets or even as far as Main Street on Saturday afternoons and Sundays to create a huge, pedestrianised area. Rollerskating, cycling, shopping, ball games - the city should be alive with all its residents out and about. It doesn't need to be a jamboree, just opening up space so that people living there are entitled to enjoy all the space the cars use on weekdays."
In the same vein, the Trafalgar Report (Citichat 41) stressed that, "tenants and owners are demanding recreational facilities such as gyms, coffee bars and internet cafes".
SmartGym
Well, a brilliant new initiative, SmartGym, has been established in the inner city (the official launch is tomorrow) after being thoroughly researched and will bring an important new dimension to the lives of inner city citizens.
The SmartGym concept was developed by Aurik Investment Holdings, a venture capital enterprise incubator that fosters new business ideas for inner city environments, together with John Fourie, who is well known and highly experienced in gym establishment and operation.
Aurik's Carien Englebrecht gave me a fascinating run-down of the philosophy behind the inner city SmartGyms. She brings a strong inner city insight to the table, having been involved with cities for as long as I have known her. She spent some years focusing on cities with her work with the provincial government and then with the World Bank, as well as spending a period project managing the first South African Cities Network State of the Cities Report 2004.
Englebrecht explained that gyms as you and I know them are classed as "destination gyms". You drive to them, have your workout and then drive home or to work. That hardly suits the lifestyle or resources of inner city folk, so you need to take the gym to them. Destination gyms are generally huge, with massive membership numbering in the many tens of thousands; SmartGyms are small, intimate neighbourhood gyms with a design capacity of maybe 2 000. Location thus becomes critical and the first gym has been established in Castle Mansions, on Eloff Street between Jeppe and Kerk streets.
Castle Mansions, built in 1930-2 is described by Gerhard-Mark van der Waal in From Mining Camp to Metropolis, as "representing one of the first applications of the Ahistorical Style in Johannesburg". It was refurbished and converted to residential space by Afhco a couple of years back.
Directly to its south are Royal St Mary's, which is soon to be converted into residential space by City Properties and Old Mutual, and The Inner Court which, I believe, is up for auction and may well end up as residential space. Directly opposite Castle Mansions, on the corner of Jeppe and Eloff streets, is the building previously known as African City, and now converted to "140 stylish loft apartments" known as Tribeca Lofts.
This area of Jeppe Street has, in fact, become the centre of a major residential node so this SmartGym is exceptionally well positioned. But it is not just the surrounding residential buildings from which it draws its clientele but also from commuters from Soweto who work in the vicinity. Eloff Street is a major public transport route and Kerk Street is a pedestrianised informal trading linear market - thus it attracts traders from the streets as well. It makes for an eclectic mix promoting diversity, tolerance and friendliness.
The gym itself is on the lofty mezzanine floor on the corner of the Kerk Street Mall and Eloff Street. It provides a great space for a gym, high from floor to ceiling, and with lots of light, large windows looking on to the tops of trees - a "green" inner city space that is in deliberate contrast to the city's greyness. You feel insulated from the hustle and bustle of street-level inner city life, yet very much part of it. It has an upmarket feel without being intimidating in any way.
SmartGym's apple logo (signifying freshness) with the mantra "Once a day" - remember your grandmother's sage advice, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"? - point towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Opening soon will be a specialised launderette - many of the members are single, inner-city residents so this will add to the convenience of being a gym member. Smart!
The prime time for exercise is early morning and late afternoon or early evening. The gym offers aerobics classes and various other programmes as well as set routines such as Smart Fit, Smart Shape and Smart Strong, depending on your needs. Each is identified using specific equipment through colour coding and numbering. This all makes it easier and more relaxed and friendly.
And, taking cognisance of the fact that many first-time gymers feel quite intimidated, instructors are trained specifically to watch for them and to provide quick and friendly assistance.
It is an "all-South African" initiative. The equipment is high quality and locally manufactured; local suppliers and subcontractors were used throughout and the 12 permanent and seven temporary staff are locals, providing critical inner city job creation. I met Freddy Masia, who manages the gym, and his pride in the facility and enthusiasm are palpable. Local expertise with excellent inner city connections was also used for branding and design, namely It's a Go! Communications and Savage and Dodd Architects.
In addition, membership costs have been tailored to the needs of the clientele, with no seven-year contracts. A pragmatic membership approach provides great flexibility in both period and payment alternatives. For example, periods are deliberately made user friendly as they relate to other repayment periods familiar to the clientele.
Two more SmartGyms will be opened in early 2007, one in Hillbrow and the other in Berea and, within the next few years, a total of eight will be operating in the inner city. That represents an investment of more than R10-million. Aurik Investments is planning to open 20 gyms in Joburg, Tshwane and eThekwini over the next three years, which represents substantial faith and investment in South African inner cities. Smart.
SmartGym is not just another business. It is a "smart", inner-city lifestyle approach carefully tailored to add value to inner-city living.
Johannesburg Housing Company
Talking about "inner city smart", I attended the Johannesburg Housing Company (JHC) annual general meeting and luncheon on Wednesday, 22 November. This quite amazing company just gets better every year and continues to be a model for so many aspects of innovation in urban revitalisation.
It purchased the first building for social housing - San Martin in Joubert Park, in 1996;
It undertook the first office to residential conversion - Tower Hill in Hillbrow, in 1997;
It made the first slum clearance and upgrade into decent affordable accommodation - Douglas Rooms in Troyeville, in 1998;
As a social housing company it established the first community development department in 1999;
As a social housing company it opened the first crèche in a JHC building and was the first to convert a hotel, The Landrost, to residential accommodation in 2000;
It was the first residential landlord to formulate an HIV/Aids Charter in 2002;
It was the first residential landlord to undertake an upgrade under the City's Better Buildings Programme in 2002;
It became the first residential landlord to introduce a Hardship Assistance Programme in 2003;
Also in that year, it brokered the first public-private partnership in residential development - Brickfields, Newtown;
It introduced the first residential neighbourhood programme in Pietersen Street, Hillbrow, in 2004;
It undertook the first solar energy installation in a high-rise residential development in 2005; and
In 2006 it became the first South African company to be awarded the World Habitat Award.
And, to top off all that, it has produced sparkling results. Total assets have grown to R326-million, operating profit is R20,5-million before a fair value adjustment with vacancies at only 1,6 percent of its 2 651 units and arrears at just 0,0019 percent.
Wow! Great cities spawn great companies - or is it both-and rather than either-or?
ZuziMpilo Medical Centre
Another city amenity opening on Tuesday, 28 November is ZuziMpilo Medical Centre, situated on the second floor of the historic Ansteys Building, on the corner of Jeppe and Joubert streets. The centre offers subsidised antiretroviral treatment at affordable prices, but is really a one-stop service providing counselling, HIV testing and a wellness clinic for those not yet eligible for the medication.
The Inner City Summit
I was going to provide more information about the Inner City Summit but I have run out of space so I will hold over the detail until next week, which will be the last Citichat for 2006. However, just think about the following reflections from an American city as it too looks at its own future: "It will take a wise, well-balanced tripod of city builders - visionary civic and political leaders, informed citizens and engaged professionals. Our destiny will be defined by our willingness to explore the ineluctable relationship between bold action and thoughtful planning, between consumption and stewardship, between the future and the past."
Amen to that. Ciao, Neil
PS: Don't forget that there is a plethora of great tours on offer between now and the end of the year.
- The Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust programme:
Saturday, 2 December: Walking tour of Constitution Hill - the tour will meet at 2pm in the parking area below the court (on Sam Hancock Street, off Queens Road).The cost is R70 per person and tickets are available at Computicket.
Saturday, 9 December: Walking tour "Art Deco in the City" - the tour will meet at 2pm in Beyers Naude Square, next to the Cenotaph. Park in the Library Gardens parking garage; the entrance is off President and Simmonds streets. The cost is R70 per person and tickets are available at Computicket.
Saturday, 16 December: Walking tour of Main Street Mall - the tour will meet at 2pm in Beyers Naude Square, next to the Cenotaph. Park in the Library Gardens parking garage; the entrance is off President and Simmonds streets. The cost is R70 per person and tickets are available at Computicket.
- Cultural Encounters Programme:
Monday, 27 November - Friday, 1 December: free lunchtime tours of Newtown, from noon to 1pm.
Saturday, 2 December: a special, free two-hour programme will include a taste of poetry, a visit to the innovative Brickfields housing development and a walking tour of other significant sites in Newtown. The programme will be an opportunity to hear and share wonderful stories and places. There is a maximum of 15 people per tour group. Book in advance by return e-mail suek@global.co.za or on 083 235 1233.
Tours start at Xarra Books in Central Place on Jeppe Street, on the south side of Mary Fitzgerald Square. One week days tours start at 12 noon sharp; on Saturday, 2 December meet at 11.30am for poetry, departing from Xarra Books at 12 noon.
Parking is available at the Market Theatre or on Mary Fitzgerald Square. After the tour, enjoy lunch at one of Newtown's fine restaurants, including:
Gramadoelas, for a pan-African gourmet menu 011 838 6960;
Niki's Oasis for a cozy, jazzy feel 011 492 1134;
Shivava Cafe to feel your African roots 011 834 8037;
Capello's for contemporary style (next to Xarra Books and Kaldi's Coffee); or
SAB World of Beer for a great view of Newtown 011 836 4900.
For more information, visit Encounter Africa.
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