CJP background: CJP as advocate
Establishment of Johannesburg as the seat of provincial government
In December 1993, the CJP promoted the idea to the 'provincial government in waiting' that the seat of Provincial Government should be relocated from Pretoria to Johannesburg and produced detailed submissions together with the then City Council to this effect and subsequently jointly led the Johannesburg delegation at the successful public hearings.
City visioning
An Inner City Vision was negotiated through the Johannesburg Inner City Development Forum (JICDF) a non-statutory body established directly as a result of inter-sectoral discussions initiated by the CJP embracing Government, Business, Community and Labour. This process continued throughout 1996 culminating in the Johannesburg Inner City Renewal Strategy which was announced by the Deputy State President, Thabo Mbeki, in July 1997.
Inner City policy
The vision was developed into a Strategic Plan the implementation of which is monitored through an Inner City Section 79 Committee, a body embracing four sectoral interests, local Government, Labour, Community and Business represented by the CJP. The Inner City Committee has also become the vehicle for influencing and developing inner city policy.
Development of informal trading by-laws
In January 1994, the CJP established a joint negotiating forum specifically to address the need for new street trading by-laws to be determined jointly by the City Council, informal trading associations and street traders, business and retailers.
Vusani Amadolobha (Revitalise Our Centres)
The CJP worked closely with the Gauteng Provincial Government Department of Development Planning and Local Government on the above initiative. It assisted in the framing of the Gauteng Four-Point Plan for Regenerating and Integration of Cities, Towns and Townships Centres.
Transitional housing
The CJP developed a Transitional Housing Model allying the provision of shelter to training and job creation. The model was adopted by the Johannesburg Trust for the Homeless which purchased and renovated a property in Cornelius Street with funding from ICHUT and grant moneys from USAID. Cornelius House became operational in early 1998 and today provides accommodation for approximately 200 persons.
Van der Byl Square (Gandhi Square)
During 1998 the CJP was approached by an owner of a property bordering on Van der Byl Square who had a vision for the revitalisation of the area.