Marlboro, Gauteng

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Marlboro is a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is located in Region 3. An affluent area, it is the easiest route into Johannesburg's business centerpiece Sandton and is a confirmed host for a major station in Gauteng's only proposed public transportation system, the Gautrain.

[edit] Geography

Marlboro Township is located in South Africa, Johannesburg metropolitan area, and is a suburb of Sandton. Marlboro Township is divided into 2 zones: Marlboro Gardens- that is a residential area and Marlboro Industrial Township. Marlboro Industrial Township is situated within the jurisdiction of the Johannesburg City Council and is situated directly north of Alexandra Township, east of the industrial township of Wynberg and south of the residential township Marlboro Gardens. This site is bounded by First Street - Vasco Da Gama Street to the south, Pretoria Main Road to the west, Fifth Street to the north and Seventh Avenue to the east. This site enjoys excellent regional accessibility via the M1 and M3 highways via Marlboro Drive.

[edit] Demographics

It is about 10.000 people, 2 500 households residing in the township .A large number of Marlboro residents (60 percent) live in backyard shacks or illegally occupied abandoned factories premises. The racial makeup of the township is 85.30% African and 15.70 other races.

[edit] History

It has had a long and multifarious history, in apartheid 1948, the township became a "black spot" and residents were threatened with removal. Freehold title was abolished and some families were removed, leaving the majority as tenants of the government. During the 1980s, Marlboro was characterized by conflict and development. There were long boycotts and clashes with the apartheid government, but during that time roads were tarred for the first time and houses and nearly 50 blocks of flats were built. There has been a population boom in the township following the repealing of apartheid laws that restricted the movement of black people. People from across South Africa and from neighboring countries flooded into the area seeking work and shelter.

[edit] Local Government

In the council there are two councilors who were elected by votes from the Marlboro Township and who are responsible for the township and assert its interests. ^[1]

[edit] Local political issues

Marlboro South, known as Marlboro Industrial area is a source of employment to Alexandra area. Alexandra area is an adjacent town to Marlboro where several plants and factories are located; two areas are linked with integrated road network. ^[2]

Nevertheless, the area suffers from the lack of municipal services from the local authorities and has high level of crimes. ^[3]

Due to the fact that the most business owners are moving to better developed business areas, they abandon their premises and factories are closing, these premises are occupied by homeless people illegally. A big problem remains lack of public consultations and the loss of public sector skills. Anthony Blandford, director for the City of Johannesburg's Presidential Alexandra Renewal Project and the city council are going to restore the area by changing the zoning of the area from industry to a mixed-land property. Marlboro Industrial Area Development Committee has been formed to keep the project development and put it into practice. ^[4] Political issues in Marlboro include framework area development, growth of population and working power, opening of additional public schools and revision of property taxes. There are 12 sectors that need revision and improvement. ^[5]

1. Economic development
2. Human and community development
3. Housing
4. Infrastructure and basic services
5. Environment
6. Spatial form and urban management
7. Transportation
8. Health
9. Safety
10. Financial sustainability
11. Governance
12. Corporate and shared services

A local waste disposal company, SA Waste Holdings (Pty) Ltd has been in the news of late. The company employs many people from Marlboro and neighbouring Alexandra. However, residents of Alexandra have often complained to the authorities about the potential health risks emanating from the company's recycling plant.

[edit] Education

Marlboro Gardens Combined School in Alexandra is the only school for the local children. It was planned to open one more school in Marlboro Industrial area, but local residents are against it because it will be unhealthy for their children to study in the area where industrial plants are concentrated.

[edit] References

1. ^ Official website of the City of Johannesburg. Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
2. ^ Marlboro South Industrial Organisation. Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
3. ^ Marlboro Industrial Business Forum complaint. MIBF (1998). Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
4. ^ “New deal for declining Marlboro South”. The BIG Media (2002). Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
5. ^ Social Development of Marlboro Township.

[edit] External links

• Marlboro township website