Located at the heart of Johannesburg, Melrose Arch (www.MelroseArch.co) is the city’s premier mixed-use precinct, seamlessly integrating business, leisure, and living. Perfectly positioned between Sandton and Rosebank, and with easy access to the M1 highway, it offers unparalleled infrastructure, including uninterrupted power, a dependable water supply, and eco-friendly systems. 

In Johannesburg’s dynamic landscape, Melrose Arch stands as a beacon of modern urbanism. This exceptional mixed-use precinct harmoniously combines work, leisure, and living spaces, presenting a distinctive blend of convenience and sophistication. 

Melrose Arch is synonymous with self-sufficiency and seamless operation. In a city often challenged by power outages, water shortages, and utility inefficiencies, it offers a refreshing alternative. Solar energy ensures an uninterrupted power supply, while a reliable backup water system guarantees consistent availability. The precinct’s advanced water chiller system maintains a comfortable indoor climate, complemented by an eco-friendly waste recycling system that underscores its commitment to sustainability. The verdant gardens and clean air further elevate the quality of life, while the expansive super-basement network offers ample parking and ease of access across the precinct. 

The Ideal Business Environment 
Melrose Arch is the perfect locale for businesses seeking modern, adaptable office spaces. The precinct features a range of commercial properties tailored to various business needs. For instance, 34 Melrose Boulevard boasts a central atrium that floods the space with natural light, while 39 Melrose Boulevard, offers a four-star green rating and state-of-the-art conferencing facilities. This seven-story structure, prominently situated on the M1 highway, provides excellent visibility for corporate branding and ample parking options. 

At 10 High Street, the top floors offer breathtaking views of the internal gardens and uninterrupted views of the city skyline. The building has direct access to the vibrant retail galleria and lush green spaces. The building is conveniently located near the Johannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch and The Protea Fire and Ice hotel. 

All buildings within the precinct benefit from a robust fibre optic network, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity with dual-source redundancy. The building management system includes advanced access control and intercoms, with telephony and data services available on-site if required. 

Why Choose Melrose Arch? 
Businesses at Melrose Arch enjoy direct access to landlords, enabling swift decision-making and on-site management. The precinct boasts 24/7 security, a dedicated control room, and secure parking with panic buttons. With its uninterrupted solar-powered electricity and backup water systems, Melrose Arch ensures seamless business continuity. 

Centrally located with easy access to the M1 highway via Corlett Drive and Athol Oaklands off-ramps, Melrose Arch is a coveted address for blue-chip companies such as South 32, Glencore, and Pepsi Co. It’s also conveniently close to the Rosebank Gautrain station and regular Gautrain commuter bus routes. 

Hotels and conferencing on the property  
Melrose Arch has four world-class hotels, with a total of over 700 rooms. The five-star Johannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch and the Marriott Executive Apartments Melrose Arch connect discerning international business travellers to one of the most sought-after long-stay destinations in Johannesburg. The African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel, Autograph Collection, and contemporary four-star Protea Hotel Fire&Ice! by Marriott Melrose Arch offer ideal accommodation, whether one is conferencing, meeting or simply looking for a leisure stay.   

The Venue Melrose Arch offers a complete events solution with a fresh, modern approach. With emphasis on exceptional service, sensational food&in-house technical equipment this facility has conference rooms to host events for 25-800 people, and provide an unforgettable experience.  

A Commitment to Sustainability 
Leading the way in Johannesburg’s sustainability efforts, Melrose Arch operates an eco-centre for waste sorting and recycling, and a district cooling system that conserves energy.  Year to date, it has recycled 89% of its waste, saved significant quantities of CO2, water, trees, and electricity, and generates 3.2MW of clean solar energy annually. 

Beyond its business appeal, Melrose Arch offers a vibrant lifestyle with over 100 local and international retail brands, diverse dining options, luxury hotels, and state-of-the-art health clubs. Tree-lined streets and green spaces create a delightful environment for work and relaxation. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Melrose Arch.

Contact us to find out more 
For businesses looking to make their mark in Johannesburg, Melrose Arch represents a unique opportunity. To explore available spaces and discover why Melrose Arch is the ideal choice for your business, contact Renee Feeney at Reneef@melrosearch.co.za or the Melrose Arch commercial leasing team at 011 684 0002. 

For more information, go to www.MelroseArch.co

Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa has advised the Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro to consider requesting for a supplementary budget to resettle and compensate the Karuma Hydro power project affected persons (PAPs). 

The proposed budget for resettlement of 119 people displaced by the power project is Shs28 billion out of which Shs4.2 billion is for compensation. 

“We do not want to wait for the 2024/2025 budget because this is an urgent matter. Present a case to Cabinet, we have passed very many supplementaries. I do not think we would reject a supplementary to compensate these people who have been suffering for long” said Tayebwa. 

He gave the guidance during the regional plenary sitting at Kaunda grounds, Gulu City on Friday, 30 August 2024. 

Tayebwa’s guidance followed a presentation of the report of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources on the petition by project affected persons of Karuma Hydro Power plant. 

“Let us support the minister and in one month, we shall call the minister to come and give us an action taken report,” Tayebwa said. 

Nyamutoro said that the ministry is engaging the National Environment Management Authority and Nwoya District Local Government to fast track the necessary approvals to construct houses for resettlement. 

“This is a matter of urgency and, the ministry is working tirelessly to see to it that the project affected persons are resettled and we call upon the support of Parliament in seeing that our budgeting for 2025/2026 is prioritized during allocations to enable us have this issue settled,” she said. 

She added that due diligence was carried out before purchase of land to relocate the PAPs and the ministry is in possession of the land title, which will be transferred to individual persons.

Committee Chair, Hon. Herbert Ariko said that the completion of the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) has delayed by 12 years, and yet it was initially intended to last 15 weeks from inspection in September 2012. 

“The committee recommends that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development expedites implementation of the Resettlement Action Plan to fully acquire the project land,” Ariko said. 

He added that the RAP identified the most affected as widows, widowers, the elderly, persons with disabilities, child-headed households, people living HIV, among others whose capacity to relocate was compromised and thus, recommended physical resettlement. 

The committee’s report further recommended that an Adhoc Joint Assessment Committee composed of Energy Ministry staff, local leadership and the PAPs should be formed to periodically assess progress at the resettlement site. 

“The committee has established significant gaps in the implementation of the RAP and compensation process. This is characterized by delayed, unfair or inadequate compensation and protracted resettlement of vulnerable PAPs which have negatively impacted their livelihoods,” Ariko added. 

Kiryandongo District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Hellen Kahunde said that it is unfortunate that the people who voluntarily opted for resettlement are the most affected, with a call to action to resettle them.  

“People are worried of losing their land because they do not have land titles,” Kahunde said. 

Karuma Hydro Power Plant is a Run-of-the River plant located along River Nile, with the project area falling within Kiryandongo and Oyam districts. 

Construction of the power plant started in December 2013 and was initially scheduled for completion in December 2018 but this was extended several time, with the last communicated date for commissioning set for September, 25     2024. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

The Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa has called for the degazetting of part of Gulu Central Forest Reserve that government offered for expansion of Gulu University. 

Tayebwa expressed concern that land was offered to the university following a presidential directive in 2020 which has not been heeded to.

“Yesterday, I visited Gulu University and there is a critical pending issue. Degazettement of land meant for construction of a teaching hospital. This is land given by government and the presidential directive was very clear,” Tayebwa said while chairing the plenary sitting in Gulu City, on 30 August 2024.

In 2020, President Yoweri Museveni directed the then Prime Minister, Ruhakana Rugunda to degazzete 70 acres of Gulu Central Forest Reserve for expansion of the University. 

Parliament in 2021 passed a resolution approving the degazettement of the land.

The Deputy Speaker directed the Ministry of Lands and Urban Planning to expeditiously respond to the presidential directive.

“Within two weeks, action should be taken, the university has fulfilled what was required of them. This is government property, government borrowed money from the African Development Bank for degazettement of this land,” Tayebwa added.

The land is expected to host the Faculties of Medicine, Agriculture, Environment, research laboratories and a hostel. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

Legislators have urged government to consider replacing the current recruitment system in local governments with a digital system, as a response to the glaring allegations of corruption and bribery in district and city Service commissions.

“The Ministry of Public Service should roll out e-recruitment processes across all local governments. This will limit physical interactions between job applicants and the commissions,” said Hon. Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the Chairperson of the Committee on Public Service and Local Government.

Mapenduzi said that the committee registered stark allegations of corruption and bribery by the service commissions during oversight visits to local governments to the extent that citizens have lost confidence in the recruitment system.

“In Kikuube District, we learnt that the district failed to over Shs2 trillion meant for recruitment in the 2021/2022 financial year. The district at the time did not have a functional district service commission and made attempts to recruit through hiring the services of Kibaale District Service Commission but the recruitment process was suspended due to allegations of bribery,” he said.

Mapenduzi said these while presenting the report of the Committee on Public Service and Local Government about the functionality of DSCs and CSCs on personnel management in Northern, Western and Eastern regions, during the sitting of the House on Friday, 30 August 2024 and  chaired by Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa.

Mapenduzi related how his committee interacted with aggrieved people who had been kicked out of job contests due to bribery.

“In some interactions, aggrieved persons came up to state allegations against both political leaders and staff. During the radio talk show on Voice of Lango, a caller complained that the service commission asked for shs5 million to guarantee jobs,” he added.

The committee report cites political meddling in the recruitment process in contravention of the Local Government Act which provides for independence of the commissions.

There were instances in some local governments where the recruitment processes were put on hold by the Inspector General of Government (IGG) as a result of reported irregularities in the process.

MPs complained that prosecution of such cases tends to take long thereby affecting service delivery. Legislators asked that the IGG should ensure investigations on reported cases are handled expeditiously, and timelines should be in place within which such cases are concluded.

Mapenduzi further highlighted the woes surrounding the pension scheme which he said is marred with discriminatory and late payments.

“Pension management is problematic partly due to data migration in local governments. Transition from human capital management system delayed payment and as such there were pension arrears,” he said.

There were also complains that some pensioners were receiving pension that is not aligned with their salary scales. The committee called for a robust review of the pension.

Tayebwa observed that the report has critical issues requiring an in-depth debate which he deferred to a later sitting.

“This is a critical report that is cross cutting to the whole country, the issues of service commissions are big that I would not like to rush the debate. We will discuss the report when we go back to Parliament,” said Tayebwa. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.