Cllr Thapelo Amad, the Executive Mayor, spent the day in Region A on a service delivery blitz, patching potholes, repainting road markings, handing out food parcels, and attending to niggling service delivery issues in the community. The mayoral visit to Region A forms part of a Citywide drive to consult with communities in as many destinations in Johannesburg as possible to demonstrate the City’s priority to put residents first while attending to their service delivery needs.
”We recognise that the City of Johannesburg has a variety of service delivery issues, so it works better for us when we’re on the ground to understand what the issues are and which areas need to be prioritised,” Mayor Amad said.
Several members of the Mayor’s political executive team were present alongside the City Manager Floyd Brink and Acting Chief Operations Officer (COO) Tshepo Makola.
Cllr Loyiso Masuku, the MMC for Corporate and Shared Services (GCSS), began the day with spiritual songs and a prayer as she welcomed the community to the Ivory Park North Hall, where 500 food packs were distributed. Masuku then introduced members of the executive to the people of Region A.
“Government cannot to do it alone,” said Cllr Masuku, referring to how important partnerships are.
Mayor Amad assured the community of his commitment to serve them.
“Those who are encroaching City bylaws must be stopped, and we have to clean the streets and terminate illegal electrical connections. I want you to feel the difference because I was here,” he said.
The City’s Region A forms part of previously marginalised areas that are still experiencing several recurring service delivery issues due to insufficient infrastructure and ongoing misuse.
Key service delivery issues plaguing the region include illegal electrical connections, insufficient electrification, the grading of gravel roads, grass cutting and illegal dumping.
The whirlwind tour of Region A was part of a mayoral initiative in partnership with non-profit organisation Dare 2 Care, the Church of Scientology and community volunteers.
Ward Councillor, Tebogo Marumo reiterated the Mayor’s sentiments, noting that taking care of residents is the City’s only priority.
Daniel Thornton, the Dare 2 Care International founder said their experience in South Africa was humbling and God had given them a vision about Africa.
“Eyes have not seen, and ears have not heard what working together can do.
We pledge to come back here, and we look forward to the growing relationship,” Thornton told the community.
The MMC for Human Settlements, Cllr Andrea Leitch joined volunteers and donors in handing out food to the Region’s indigents, noting that she became a politician because she wanted to serve.
“Issuing food parcels to poor people is one of the reasons I got into this job, to be able to make a difference,” said MMC Leitch.
Working in the community, according to Cllr Ernie Makhafola, the MMC for Health and Social Development, is her “real job; to see the City implementing service delivery”.
Some of the service delivery activities addressed today included fixing streetlights, inspecting the Ivory Park Swimming Pool, painting roads and filling potholes, and inspecting construction at the much-anticipated Kaalfontein Multipurpose Centre.
In the end, a gruelling day of high intensity service delivery ended with Mayor Amad, political executives and municipal officials having fulfilled their duty.
Written by Lelethu Tyilana
28/03/2023