Lael Bethlehem

Lael Bethlehem (born 24 October 1967) is an expert in urban development. She was director of economic development at the City of Johannesburg from 2002 to 2005 and chief executive of the Johannesburg Development Agency from 2005 to 2010. Prior to those roles, she also served as Chief Director of Forestry at the South African National Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, where she led South Africa’s forestry programme and represented the country in international forestry negotiations. Today, Bethlehem is an investment executive at Hosken Consolidated Investments.

She attended King David, Victory Park, a Jewish day school and matriculated in 1985.

Bethlehem's calling as a civic leader was apparent from an early age: at 11, she won her first award for good citizenship and later became a junior councillor.

Career

Her career began with several research roles within the trade union movement, following which she became chief director at the South African National Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. She worked at the Forestry Department until 2002 when she entered local government in Johannesburg as director of the Department for Economic Development.

The Johannesburg Development Agency After three years in the Department for Economic Development, For five years the agency focussed predominantly on high-profile one-off investments which were aimed at catalysing regeneration in the inner city. Investment projects championed during this time included the Nelson Mandela Bridge, Mary Fitzgerald Square, and the Newtown development. These investments were instrumental in reversing the decline of inner city Johannesburg and in building a community of supporters and investors. The installation of beautiful public artwork and unusual street furniture became a hallmark of the JDA's work. Bethlehem also managed several of the city's large scale investment projects during her time as CEO of the JDA, including the development of the infrastructure for the city's bus rapid transit system, known as Rea Vaya, and the preparation of the key precincts for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Rea Vaya

As CEO of the Johannesburg Development Agency, Bethlehem was responsible for developing the infrastructure for the introduction of Rea Vaya, a bus rapid transit system for the city. This R3.5-billion flagship project was a social initiative as well as an infrastructure and environmental project: designed to be accessible, affordable and attractive to residents of all races and classes, the scheme sought to promote social inclusion and counteract the physical and social isolation suffered by the city's poorest communities, particularly in and around Soweto. It was deliberately complementary to and integrated with the Gauteng provincial government's Gautrain.

A 2013 peer review of Rea Vaya concluded that it was too early to determine the system's impact on social equality. The first phase of the scheme was completed on time for the city's hosting of the 2010 World Cup. Rea Vaya currently has around 71,000 passengers per day, Several other South African cities are now planning BRT systems. On leaving the JDA in 2010, Bethlehem picked Rea Vaya as the major scheme she was most proud of – particularly because of the role it played in the process of democratization in the city.

2010 FIFA World Cup

The JDA was involved in several major urban development projects which were accelerated by the World Cup deadline – the most significant of which were the upgrades to Ellis Park and Nasrec precincts in which new outdoor artwork and street furniture were installed, new bridges and roads constructed and new cricket and football pitches built. The JDA also lead the regeneration of Vilakazi Street, one of the most visited sites in Soweto.

Recognition In 2009 Lael Bethlehem was nominated by the Businesswomen's Association of South Africa as Business Women of the Year. On leaving the JDA in 2010 Lael Bethlehem received an honorary Halala Award in recognition of her achievements at the agency.

Personal life

Lael Bethlehem is married with two daughters and lives in Johannesburg.

She is a member of Temple Israel in Hillbrow, where she is actively involved, through leading services and teaching Hebrew and Jewish studies.

Current roles

Investment executive at Hosken Consolidated Investments

Previous roles

Board member of UK-based International Institute for Environment and Development Board member of the Indonesia-based Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) Board member of Hans Merensky Foundation, Johannesburg. Director: real estate investments, South Africa, Standard Bank of South Africa

Publications

Bethlehem and Dlomo (2004) Forests, economics and the development agenda Bethlehem (2002) Sustainable Forest Management in South Africa: Government Perspective (The South African Forestry Journal) Bethlehem (2000) Bringing Democracy to the Forests: Developments in South Africa's Forestry Policy and Legislation (Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, 2000) Bethlehem and Goldblatt (1997) The Bottom Line: Industry and Environment in South Africa Bethlehem (1997) Labour, Industry and the Environment Bethlehem (1997) Catalysing change: International environmental pressures on South African exporters Bethlehem et al. (1997) Unions and environment: Life, health and the pursuit of employment Bethlehem (1994) An industrial strategy for the Pulp and Paper Sector Toolo and Bethlehem (1994) Migration to South Africa: Problems, Issues and Possible Approaches for Organised Labour Bethlehem (1992) Race, gender and academic staff: Is affirmative action necessary in South African universities