Finetown community bridge a symbol of accountability

For many years, the community of Finetown, in the south of Johannesburg, faced a daily challenge of crossing a stream to reach their homes, local shops, and nearby schools.

The lack of infrastructure which was once a symbol of a larger issue of accountability from local government has become a victory for the settlement of Finetown with the long-awaited construction of a pedestrian bridge.

According to Action for Accountability (A4A), an organisation that aims to support aims to communities and hold local leaders accountable, the story of this community is more than just a bridge.

POWER OF COMMUNITY ACTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY

It is a testament to the power of community action and accountability, a symbolic mark of what the community can achieve by working hand in hand with public representatives to support a culture of accountability and good governance.

“This story is about more than the new bridge that is being built; it is a testament to the power of community action and accountability. It showcases how a community, through its collective efforts, can bring about positive change and hold authorities accountable,” says Makoma Maponya, the media officer for A4A.

CREATING SUSTAINABLE LASTING IMPACT – A4A

She said that beyond a safe route to school, the young people in Finetown have gained an expanded vision of what is possible for themselves and their community.

“They have the opportunity to see their mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers trained in being active citizens for change and to see their community come together to invest in a project that will create sustainable and lasting impact,” she said

COMPLETION OF FINETOWN BRIDGE BROUGHT IMMENSE JOY AND RELIEF

Despite the initial challenges the community faced which included budget constraints cited by the former Ward 7 councillor, A4A was able to mobilise and train community members in using community monitoring tools to hold their local leaders accountable to the community.

The project’s Civact Team, with the support of the current councillor, Lois Wizza Johnson, engaged the MMC for Roads and Transport in City Of Joburg to make the Finetown bridge issue a priority for the department.

After months of tireless advocacy, the community’s persistence finally yielded tangible results as the construction of the bridge commenced at the end of January this year, and it has since been completed.

“The news brought immense relief to parents and students alike, who had long endured the challenges posed by the lack of a safe and reliable passage,” said Maponya.

“Many residents have openly expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the completion of the bridge, recognising its potential to significantly improve their quality of life.” she said.

ONGOING ACCOUNTABILITY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

This community project is a reminder that any challenge can be overcome when communities work hand in hand with public representatives to support a culture of accountability and good governance.

While acknowledging the positive response from the Ward Councillor and the MMC for Transport, Maponya emphasises that “accountability efforts must persist beyond the completion of the bridge.” She says that “accountability for services is only one aspect of Accountability. Financial accountability for expenditure is another”.

In keeping with this principle, A4A will request transparency for the expenditure incurred for this project and continue to monitor the safety and integrity of the bridge, especially during the rainy season.

Action for Accountability is a project initiated by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation (AKF) in partnership with Accountability Lab SA (ALSA), the Public Service Accountability Monitor (PSAM) and co-funded by the European Union (EU).

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