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Daily Maverick
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Johannesburg Property Company retreats amid backlash over parks cash grab
Johannesburg Property Company's moves coincide with the sorry state of the city's finances — under the spotlight ahead of next year's municipal elections — giving rise to the impression of a rent-seeking dash for cash while the trough remains open. The Johannesburg Property Company's (JPC) attempts to 'alienate' historic properties, including public spaces for sale or lease, seem to be coming unstuck. Concern erupted among Johannesburg residents after a council agenda in late June suggested that several public open spaces – including Marks Park and surrounding greenbelt areas – could be up for sale or re-leasing agreements. Daily Maverick can also report that the Bryanston Sports Club has been on JPC's radar screen, but it is undermining its attempts to monetise such assets through its blundering approach. The initial flagging of designs on Marks Park triggered a widely circulated petition opposing the moves, which garnered 13,300 signatures. The petition was submitted to JPC. On Wednesday, 30 July, it was announced during a council meeting that an item regarding the alienation of Marks Park was withdrawn – nipping the process in the bud, for now. 'This is a small victory for us because it might come back. But at least our voices have been heard,' Nicolene Jonker, DA councillor for Ward 88, said in a video message to residents. Bryanston Sports Club targeted The Bryanston Sports Club has also been targeted – but in an opaque and ham-fisted manner. On 5 June, an undated notice providing for 14 days of public participation for a change in the leasing arrangements of 'Portion 1 of erf 4668 Bryanston' – effectively the sports club and municipal library on the grounds – was discovered on the floor of the clubhouse. Club manager Pat Carolin told Daily Maverick that two serious errors were immediately spotted in the notice – it was pointedly undated, and the period is supposed to be 30 days, not 14. The notice also seemed to have been pinned on the sly on a door, and then fell to the floor. Daily Maverick has had sight of this notice. A subsequent government gazette notice published on 15 July made no mention of the lease and instead referred to public participation for the proposed development and sale of the property – contradicting the original notice. 'This discrepancy is worrying,' Carolin said. Carolin met JPC general manager Sizeka Tshabalala at the Bryanston Sports Club on Tuesday, 5 August, along with the ward councillor. Tshabalala said JPC acknowledged the error in the gazette and said it would restart the 'public participation process'. The Bryanston lease ran out in 2019, and Carolin said they had tried several times to renew it on a long-term basis, but to no avail. It is now on a month-on-month basis. The club's annual lease is R1,500 (R125 a month), but it does all of the maintenance, spending an average of R1.2-million a year over the past three years. As a non-profit, it funds this upkeep from membership fees and local sponsors. Some private investors will come to the party – but the club needs a long-term lease agreement for that to happen. 'We are providing a service to the community, that is our mandate, and so we should not be commercialised or pay market rates. If we pay market rates, we will expect the JPC to maintain the asset,' said Carolin, who Daily Maverick spoke to at the clubhouse on Tuesday, 5 August. 'We are concerned that they want their bread to be buttered on both sides, get the rent and have the tenant pay for the upkeep. We are distrustful of their motives because of their lack of communication,' he said. In response to our queries, JPC confirmed a mistake had been made in the gazette and an erratum has been made to correct the error, confirming a public participation process for the lease of the property. JPC's moves come as the sorry state of Johannesburg's finances comes under the spotlight ahead of next year's municipal elections – giving rise to the impression of a rent-seeking dash for cash while the trough remains open. The Sunday Times and Bloomberg have reported that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has given Joburg Mayor Dada Morero 14 days to explain how he plans to fix the city's finances and recoup R2.4-billion lost in 'unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure.' Against this backdrop of increased scrutiny and a lack of trust among the City of Gold's long-suffering ratepayers, the JPC would do well to get its ducks in a row. Putting a date on public participation notices would be a good start. DM
See - Sada Elbalad
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Brad Pitt, Channing Tatum Team On Isle Of Man Movie, Docuseries
Yara Sameh Following one of the more unique auctions the industry has seen in some time, Amazon MGM Studios has landed a film and docuseries package on the legendary Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Race with movie stars Brad Pitt and Channing Tatum involved. Tatum is attached to star in the film about the motorcycle races, which will be directed by Dog director Reid Carolin, who also wrote the script with Jason Keller and Bryan Johnson. It will be produced by Tatum and Carolin's Free Association, Pitt's Plan B and Entertainment 360's Guymon Casady and Jason Keller. The docuseries was filmed during last year's TT races with never-before-seen access to the riders and the races due to an exclusive partnership between the producers and the event promoters. It was produced by the same group, along with pre-eminent sports documentary producer Box to Box Films and Mediawan — the leading independent European studio and majority stakeholder of Plan B — with the participation of Entourage Ventures. Plot details remain under wraps, but the scope and history of the legendary race have all the notes of an epic feature film. Long before Formula 1, World Endurance and MotoGP, there was the Isle of Man TT. As the world's oldest continuously running motorsport event, it remains a one-of-a-kind spectacle. With riders pushing man and machine to the edge at nearly 200 mph, the TT represents the pinnacle of sporting endeavor and the relentless pursuit of glory. The never-before-seen docuseries is a 4×45-minute cinematic, character-driven series where riders chase their dreams and embrace life to its fullest. Through intimate moments, the series explore what drives these extreme riders to take such risks. The series looks into the consequences of this commitment, not only for them but for those around them. It is not just a thrilling adventure experienced through these extraordinary individuals but a deep dive into what sometimes drives us as human beings. For most of its century-long history, the Isle of Man TT was an event experienced only by dedicated motorbike enthusiasts who made the pilgrimage to the island or tuned in via radio. However, the 2022 launch of livestreaming through the TT's OTT platform, TT+, marked a new era, offering full coverage of every qualifying session and race. Combined with an enhanced social media strategy, this shift has spurred greater public interest, with online searches for the event doubling over the past two years. The film and docuseries represent key pillars in the development of a major franchise set to expand across a 360-degree strategy, building on the success of major IPs developed by the talented creators of the Mediawan group and embraced by audiences worldwide such as Call My Agent, The Count of Monte Cristo or Miraculous. Tatum and Carolin have had strong ties going back to when the two launched the Magic Mike franchise that Tatum starred in, Carolin penned and both produced. The film would mark the second film Carolin has directed following the hit MGM feature Dog, which Tatum also starred in and produced. As for Pitt and Plan B, they seem to have a strong feel for racing films these days as the upcoming Warner Bros. and Apple pic F1 bows this month. Pitt stars in the pic, which already is earning strong buzz. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
