SOJO Business and Tourism Forum

An Association for the upliftment of facilities and establishment of employment opportunities in the South of Johannesberg.

• Booysens Business Forum and Southern Business Partnership began in 1998 with 5 business members. Today we are more than 100 members.
  
  Two forums amalgamated in 2003 to form SOJO Business & Tourism. SOJO is a non-profit organisation committed to
  - the rejuvenation and upliftment of business areas in the South
  - providing secure employment in pleasant surroundings
  
  Area stretches from Wemmerpan in the east to Aeroton in the west subdivided into 7 precincts:
  
  * Pioneers Park
  * Turffontein
  * Booysens
  * Klipriviersberg
  * Ormonde
  * Nasrec
  * Southgate
   
• We fight crime in the southern suburbs with the help of the JMPD (Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Dpt) and SAPS (South African Police Services).
   
• We fight grime with the help of the Council's MOE consisting of:
  

  * Pikitup
  * JHB Roads Agency (JRA)
  * JHB Water
  * JHB City Power
  * JHB City Parks and
  
  and Council service providers:
  
  * Environmental Health
  * Building Control
  * Town Planning
   

• We handle complaints efficiently and timeously.
   
• One of our biggest challenges are SLUMLORDS.
  • We identify owners and their premises and report them to Council.
  • A successful pilot project was executed in 2 streets in Booysens. Completely eradicated overcrowding, shacks, and all illegal activities.
  • We are targeting other areas in the south on an ongoing basis.
• Successful crime reporting system in place with Booysens Police Station & private security companies. Dedicated vehicles patrol Booysens Reserve, Booysens & Robertsham. This service will be extended to other areas in the south.
   
• We hold public meetings, which are well attended by Council, the Police and various other players at the request of our members.
• We have recently signed a MOE with the city
   
• We publish a quarterly bulletin of news, with advertising opportunities for businesses in the south.
   
• We have numerous on-going projects to improve and promote the south, run together with influential players, such as Gold Reef City, Thaba Ya Batswana,  iProp, Joburg Expo Centre and Phumelani Turffontein Gaming & Leisure.
   
• We need new members, and strong financial support from businesses in the south in order to be effective. Unity is strength.
   
• Contributions vary from R50 to R3000 per month on a voluntary basis.

SOJO Directors