“The IDP is a five-year plan which is reviewed on an annual basis. The IDP sessions are used to give residents an update on the progress of the projects that have been initiated in their respective areas” said Cllr Molwele.

The IDP sessions help the City to identify challenges, along its vision, mission and priorities, develop appropriate strategies and align the budget.

The MMC responsible for Region D and the portfolio of Environment and Infrastructure Services, Cllr Mpho Moerane gave the presentation on behalf of the Executive Mayor. He said “whenever we increase tariffs, we have to consult with you as we are doing today”.

“When we improve the quality of life for our residents, we reduce poverty and add calm to the economy,” said Cllr Moerane.

The Regional Director for Region D, Salome Mogotsi, said some of the successes in the Soweto area include the rise in clean-up campaigns, community-based planning meetings, and fire safety awareness in the informal settlements and more. “There is a lot of work that Joburg Water is already doing on the ground as well as City Power and Pikitup” said Mogotsi.

Mogotsi presented service development interventions and what the City has planned for the Sowetans. “Projects are in place and more money has been allocated to improve the areas that are still struggling. We need to do more as administrators. We are trying by all means to improve the pace of service delivery by providing a budget to attend to the issues raised by residents.”

The City is holding a series of IDP engagements across the seven regions, which are employing virtual, physical or hybrid approaches. This is due to the current Covid-19 restrictions which has put limitation on the number of people allowed to gather. After the presentations, residents were given an opportunity to raise their issues and ask questions.

Responding to the residents’ comments, Mayor Makhubo said he appreciates the inputs that the residents are making. “The inputs are adding to what we seek Joburg to be. The City has launched 120 days of heightened, intensive and accelerated service delivery programme. This means we bring all the City entities and departments onboard and together we deal with all the service delivery issues of the particular area, ward by ward, block by block and street by street.

“The project will include closing potholes, cutting grass, improving traffic signaling, road marking, and more. The problems that the residents have raised will be addressed through the 120 Days of accelerated service delivery programme,” said Cllr Makhubo.

Cllr Makhubo announced that the City is engaging Eskom and other government entities to hand over the electricity supply in Soweto to the City, subject to the final sign-off from the Presidency.

“We want to co-produce services of the City with the residents of Johannesburg. Let’s start something and co-produce services. We must go back to looking after our communities and find ways to profit from it,” said Cllr Makhubo.

The City also invites written submissions on the Draft 2021/22 IDP, Medium-Term Budget and Tariffs from residents/stakeholders and any interested organisations in the City of Johannesburg.

The submissions can be made online at www.joburg.org.za