The Evaton Development Forum (EDF) is a community forum elected by the people of Evaton to participate in the Evaton Renewal Project. The aim of the EDF is to keep the people of Evaton informed about the development projects taking place and to get their involvement. The EDF holds various consultative and information-sharing community meetings, and also plays a role in monitoring the progress of the projects.

The office-bearers of the Evaton Development Forum are as follows:

Name Title   Tutu Molefe Chairman   Lovemore Moremi Deputy Chairperson   Themba Qhinebe Secretary   Patricia S. Ndlovu Deputy Secretary   Maria Manoto Treasurer   Gwendoline Maseko Member   Sicelo Nkosi Member   Lerato Motsoeneng Member   Grace Mantima Mokhali Member   Johannes Mofokeng Member   Motsamai Maphalla Member   Nehemia Xaba Member   Chester Motloung Member   Pinky Maduna Member   Esther Mpofu Member

Contact the Evaton Development Forum Office on (016) 596 7103 / 596 7184 / 596 7086.

EDF Secretary – Young and Committed

Themba Qhinebe, Secretary of the Evaton Development Forum

Themba Qhinebe is a young Evatonian dedicated to seeing the community of Evaton reap the rewards of the Evaton Renewal Project. He was recently elected the new secretary of the Evaton Development Forum and says he is fully committed to his daily tasks.

“The Evaton Renewal Project has improved many of the people’s quality of life in Evaton. Many people who were previously living in mud houses now have decent roofs over their heads! The ERP has also benefited many stand owners and has assisted people with disabilities, pensioners and the unemployed,” said Qhinebe.

Brenda Ndlovu Resigns

Brenda Ndlovu

Brenda Ndlovu resigned as the Administrator of the Evaton Development Forum in September 2008. The ERP wishes her well in her future career.

New EDF Administrator Appointed

Ntokozo Precious Motha

Ntokozo Precious Motha has been appointed as the new Administrator of the Evaton Development Forum. “I have been living in this community all my life and I am glad to be given this opportunity to take part in developing my own community,” says Ntokozo.

New Evaton Development Forum Elected

“Re Hae Jwale, A Re Holeng Mmoho”, meaning “We are home, now let’s grow together” was the theme of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held over three days in Vanderbijlpark in April 2008. During this time 15 new committee members of the Evaton Development Forum (EDF) were officially elected, five serving in the executive committee and ten as additional members.

The five executive members are Tutu Molefe (Chairperson), Love Moremi (Deputy Chairperson), Themba Qhinebe (Secretary), Patricia Ndlovu (Deputy Secretary), and Maria Manoto (Treasurer). The ten additional members are Lerato Motsoeneng, Grace Mokhali, Johannes Mofokeng, Gwen Maseko, Motsamai Maphalla, Nehemia Xaba, Sicelo Nkosi, Chester Motloung, Pinky Maduna, and Esther Mpofu.

The annual EDF elections took a surprise turn when a young community developer, Themba Qhinebe, was elected as Secretary. Qhinebe, who was previously a Community Liaison Officer for the Evaton Renewal Project, said he was very excited to be the EDF’s youngest member. “Working for my community has always been my passion, and I’m delighted to have been elected Secretary.” Qhinebe added that he will ensure that the EDF achieves its mandate of being the eyes and ears of the community. “We will make sure that members of the community become the main beneficiaries of the ERP,” he promised.

Outgoing Chairperson of the EDF, the late Rev Dr Lord McCamel

Gauteng Housing MEC, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane, welcomed the outgoing Chairperson, Rev. Dr. Mc Camel, who was in attendance at the Forum despite his poor health. MEC Mokonyane also named Rev. Dr. Mc Camel as a Patron and Honorary Member of the Forum, for his life-long contribution to the community of Evaton.

Said Rev. Dr. Mc Camel of his time as Chairperson, “I am honored to have been at the helm of this incredibly worthwhile and relevant Forum. I have witnessed and been involved in great changes that have impacted positively on the Evaton community, and I wish Mr Molefe, the Forum Committee, and the people of Evaton well in their continued quest for a better future for this wonderful township.”

The event was attended by various stakeholders of the Evaton Renewal Project, including officials from the Department of Housing, Emfuleni Local Municipality, Sedibeng District Municipality, and the affiliate member organisations of the EDF. The former EDF Chairperson, Rev. Lord McCamel, said the 2008 theme was adopted to acknowledge the many famous people who were born and grew up in Evaton.

It was decided at the AGM that the EDF structure should be gender balanced and that committee members must be selected from all 14 wards of Evaton. It was also collectively agreed that the term of office for EDF members should be extended from 12 to 24 months. In addition, it was mandated that the new committee must report annually to all ERP stakeholders.

After the selection, a commission session was held to familiarise the new EDF members with the ERP programme, and to enhance the working relationship between all the stakeholders of the Evaton Renewal Project.

New EDF Chairperson: A Servant Leader

“I would like to thank all Evaton stakeholders who participated in these elections. I would like to assure them that I am aware of the important task given to me as the Chairperson. Today I consider myself as your servant - not a leader - and I will ensure that the EDF committee will interact with all stakeholders, including government and the community, to maintain good working relations. The EDF needs to have a vision that will lead us through the entire renewal programme.

“Thus, I ask the previous committee to work hand in glove with the new committee so that we can take over from where they left off. I need everybody to understand that this organisation has a constitution that must be respected by every member in order to produce sustainable development for the community.

“The Evaton Renewal Project needs to have a broad scope showing how things work. In my view, when people talk about development, they are actually talking about the socio economic development, area development and people development. Lastly, we need to acquire land from the community, because land is scarce but is an important part of any development.”

EDF Promoting Women's Rights

For Brenda Ndlovu, an Evatonian, it was a moment for women’s empowerment when she was appointed as the Office Administrator by the Evaton Development Forum (EDF). “Being appointed by the EDF was a dream come true. I feel honored to have been given this opportunity to work with the EDF and to take part in developing this community,” said Ndlovu.

“My daily duties are to arrange and sort out the EDF’s paperwork, fax documents, handle phone calls and also liaise with ward councilors. I also inform people that visit the offices about the Evaton Renewal Project. I do enjoy my job! In this kind of work you need to have a sharp mind, remember things and always multi task,” said Ndlovu.

Ndlovu explained that she was born and still lives in Sterling Road, Evaton, with her family: “I have a very supportive family who always give me strength and support when need it”.

“Women have a very important role to play in any community,” says Ndlovu. “We are the mothers and teachers, nurses and doctors. We can also be leaders too. It is very important for women to get involved in the Evaton Renewal Project so that our voices can be heard. We know what is best for our families and for our community,” said Ndlovu.

Contact the Evaton Development Forum Office on (016) 596 7103 / 596 7184 / 596 7086

Message from the Deputy Chairman of the EDF, Mr Lovemore Moremi

The Roads Upgrade Programme, which is part of the Evaton Renewal Project (ERP), would benefit the community as a whole, business people, taxi owners, drivers and all residents of Evaton. Evaton residents have to therefore be patient and cooperate with the workers on our roads and use alternative routes. Soon all the dust and construction noise will be over and we can all enjoy the fruits of the ERP development.

House building and upgrades is the number one priority of the Evaton Development Forum and therefore the land release programme is very important for us. Evaton does not have sufficient available land to build new houses on. We would like to encourage community members with big land sites to assist us by sub-dividing their land, so that other people can have formal housing. Everyone will benefit from this Provincial Government land release programme. It will also enable us to have proper toilets, sanitation, water provision, street-lights and electricity for all.

The Community is therefore called upon to seek the advice of the EDF to deal with their Title Deeds and to transfer to secure tenure. Assistance will be provided by the ERP lawyers, free of charge. Let us all contribute towards the “NO Shacks by 2014” programme in Evaton, together with government.

The Adams Road business corridor is very important for us to develop and we need outside investors to participate in this development. Private businesses like Standard Bank are already leading the way and we would like to encourage other business to follow their lead.

The Evaton Development Forum has already shown that development at the local level is a key driver of employment and SMME business opportunities. A good example of this is the ERP supporting the formation of a section 21 company involved in brick-making. This company is doing very well and is playing a role in the Evaton Renewal Projects.

The Mafatsane Government precinct development will get into gear in 2008 and will be a one-stop centre for the community. They will be able to access services from Home Affairs, the South African Police Service, EDF offices, Municipal offices, Social Services and the Department of Housing, amongst others. This will certainly improve the quality of life of all Evatonians.

Message from the outgoing EDF Chairman, the late Reverend Dr Lord McCamel

The late Rev Dr Lord McCamel turns the soil at Mafatsane, looked on by the MEC for Housing, Ms Nomvula Mokenyane, the member of the Mayoral Committee, Councillor TJS Thabane, and Mr Kevin Duncan from Standard Bank.

I would like to express my gratitude to our government and all the other stakeholders of the Evaton Renewal Project for their sterling work and great strides to date.

The EDF now remains the eyes and ears of the Community…the sun has risen, let’s build!

People in our community must know exactly what is happening all the time, be informed and be aware all the time with what is happening in their community and most important they must ask questions…

In 2008 the Evaton Development Forum will aim to broaden our base, interacting with the different areas, sectors and stakeholders in our community for their input, suggestions and ideas, sectors like the Aged, Disabled, Taxi-Owners, etc and bring them aboard. We will not just depend on ‘mass meetings’ but we will strive to take the project to the people.

Our community must all remain united strongly: the provincial government departments, the local government Councilors, Ward Committees, EDF, the sector organisation and everyone.

It is up to all of us to lift up the spirit of humanity, to lift up the spirit of togetherness and ubuntu, recognising where we come from. Because the value from where we come from is very high but nowadays that is trodden upon. We have made a start and put our shoulders to the wheel – we must say I am going to use my backbone and not just the wishbone…and may the Good Lord bless us all.