The Executive Mayor of the City of Joburg, Cllr Mpho Moerane and the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance, Cllr Matshidiso Mfikoe, launched Zenzele, the new e-Joburg billing portal on Wednesday, 6 October 2021, at the Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein.
Zenzele is an online self-service portal for ratepayers to access and pay bills, lodge a query and interact with the City from the comfort of their homes. Ratepayers will no longer have to visit a walk-in centre or call the City’s call centre. They can now easily make payments and conveniently manage municipal accounts through the improved billing system.
The portal will also have a history of accounts and payments, and ratepayers can also view, manage and pay their bills and submit meter readings.
An elated Mayor Moerane said Zenzele would go a long towards solving the City’s debt problem and encourage more payments.
“It’s a portal that will assist our residents to interact with local government, using their smartphones. We believe it’s a great milestone. That they will no longer spend their money to report queries and they don’t have to come and queue at our offices.
“The key thing that I’m happy about today is that it will fix our billing problems,” said Mayor Moerane.
Councillor Mfikoe said the portal was designed to bring convenience. “We want to use innovation as a city not shy away from taking bold steps. Our long-term plan is to use technology to enhance revenue collection.
“Today is a day of new beginnings and we continue to urge ratepayers to pay for their services. It is your portal, it is designed to bring convenience.”
Zenzele, which is an IsiZulu word for self-help, will be rolled out in phases. During the launch phase this month, ratepayers will be able to view, download and pay their bills on the portal. The next phase during November and December will involve extension onto WhatsApp and capture and submit meter readings. The phase from next year January to March will include acknowledgement of debt.
Visit www.e-Joburg.org.za for more information or to register.
Written by Brümilda Swartbooi
06/10/2021