By Maureen Isaacson, Sapa and Reuters
On the eve of a historic state visit to Britain, President Thabo Mbeki on Saturday rolled up his sleeves, planted a tree and launched the R1,3 billion Alexandra renewal project, a sweeping plan to regenerate the urban slum in Johannesburg that borders an affluent neighbour, Sandton.
When he arrived at the Alexandra stadium Mbeki was met by enthusiastic residents as they tried to grasp his hand through the mesh-wire fence surrounding the venue. The renewal project is seen as a blueprint for urban reconstruction throughout the country.
But Mbeki and his cabinet colleagues faced sharp criticism for shunning the funeral of 12-year-old Aids activist Nkosi Johnson at the Central Methodist church in Johannesburg.
"I don't care what position you take in this debate on Aids. I don't care what position you take on anti-retroviral drugs, just show this country, show these children some compassion," said Reverend Mvume Dandala, the presiding bishop of the Methodist church in southern Africa, in a clear reference to the government
The government was represented at the funeral by Bongani Khumalo, the presidential adviser on HIV and Aids. "This young boy lived only a dozen years but his impact is profound," Khumalo said.
In Alexandra, Mbeki made no reference to the subject of Johnson or HIV and Aids but he touched on the upgrading of health facilities in hospitals such as the Edenvale hospital and the construction of an additional clinic.
"We will ensure that especially women and children have access to health," said Mbeki. "No more will people have to travel long distances to hospitals in Tembisa or Johannesburg for treatment when they have a hospital at their doorsteps."
Alexandra, one of Johannesburg's oldest residential areas, escaped forced removal in the 1980s after international protests against apartheid removals.
The township is severely overcrowded. About 350 000 people are packed into a radius of 5,5 square kilometres. Although the government has raised the standard of living since 1994 - installing proper sanitation in many areas as well as running water, electricity, telephones and street lights - there are still complaints that services are sporadic.
There are still areas where 20 families share a single yard and a single tap and heavy rains result in the flooding of houses and raw sewerage can be seen in the streets.
Earlier on Saturday the Gauteng premier, Mbhazima Shilowa, pledged that his government would build 66 000 houses in Alexandra over the next seven years and that 20 000 of the units would be built in areas adjoining the existing township. Departing from his prepared speech, Mbeki told a packed Alexandra stadium that the purpose of the struggle fought by many South Africans had not been to ensure that he and his cabinet drove around in Mercedes Benz cars.
"It was to make sure that the people of Alexandra eradicate poverty."
In his speech, Mbeki said that over a seven-year period government would deliver roads, water, sanitation, schools and clinics, and build police stations.
"We shall ensure that safety and security become a living reality for the people of Alexandra and that no one need live in fear of violence," Mbeki said. At one point he broke into Xhosa to say that he disapproved of the fact that people continued to live on top of each other in shacks "like chickens". "When we said we wanted a better life for all the people of South Africa we meant the people of Alex as well."
The police and army were out in full force for the Mbeki visit. Armed soldiers lined the streets and armoured vehicles were on standby.
Mbeki has a special status in Alexandra as the son-in-law of the township through his marriage to Zanele, his wife, who was born in the township. Mbeki was presented with a blanket to symbolise his betrothal to Alexandra.
Mbeki was accompanied by several senior government officials including local government minister Sydney Mufamadi, the minister in the presidency, Essop Pahad, the minister of sport, Ngconde Balfour, and the director-general in the presidency, Frank Chikane.
For much of his tour of the township Mbeki walked clutching the hand of six-year-old Mutanwa Mufamadi, son of the minister.
Mbeki's visit was part of an all-day celebration in the township that included a music concert featuring Bayete, Flaming Souls and the African Jazz Pioneers.