Speaking at the AGM, recently-appointed Chief Executive, Andrew Boraine, said that four years into the operation of the Partnership, the reversal of the Central City’s fortunes have been nothing short of remarkable. This year’s report, like its predecessors, records the achievements and the milestones that have made this possible.
Boraine said, “I believe it is true to say that the first phase of the Partnership’s job is done.
“We have put in place the basic urban management regimes and investment marketing strategies without which the turnabout of the past four years would not have been possible. The Partnership realises that the challenges which await us are every bit as formidable as those with which we have been confronted”.
The Partnership’s high priority focus area will be on a long-term development strategy for the Central City which aligns the efforts of the organisation with local, provincial and national growth and development objectives.
“An issue which requires the Partnership’s immediate focus and attention is the traffic and transport issues that face the Central City.
“Another issue which requires equally urgent attention is the implementation of a Central City social development programme, driven by a coordinated public/ private/ voluntary sector partnership, which addresses the needs of the homeless and the unemployed.
“Other important areas of focus in the upcoming year will include the continued development of a Central City residential component, the strengthening of a better platform for networks of globally-competitive businesses, as well as continuing efforts to attract investment to the CBD.
“During the next year, however, the Partnership will continue its focus on the basics of urban management, such as reviewing and improving levels of cleansing and security, expanding the roll-out of the kerbside parking management system, and continuing work on the creation, management and promotion of markets, to keep the Central City topmost in the minds of investors and developers, amongst others.
“The Partnership will be addressing these and other pressing issues at a strategic planning meeting in November. At the same time, it will remain and seek to improve on its current vital work encouraging a favourable business climate and allowing citizens to reclaim public places for their daily use.
The year ahead will certainly be an active one, tempered with consolidation and the move into new areas of responsibility. With the combined resources of the private and public sectors, the Partnership will continue on its mission to assist in establishing Cape Town as a world class African city that works for all its citizens.
A last word from Andrew Boraine: “The results of the active and enthusiastic collaboration between the public and private sectors are not to be found only in dry progress reports, but in the new-found confidence and optimism of all Capetonians. Our city is aiming high and achieving much”.
Publisher: Cape Business News
Source: Cape Business News
