City leaders kept their appointment of 1 April 2023 with community members from across Region C, encompassing areas in and around Roodepoort, to listen to community needs and spell out programmes to meet those challenges. Led by Mayor Thapelo Amad, the high- powered delegation included members of the mayoral committee, the city manager and his executives.
Buses disgorged fervent passengers, some sporting T-shirts of political parties, others in their Sunday best, and even more others in military fatigue. They had come from Zandspruit, Tshepisong, Snake Park, Braamfischerville, Mathole, Princess, Fleurhof and Cosmo City, all eager to listen, but also to have their say and hold City leaders accountable.
The proceedings were delayed a little as the audience sang political songs and chanted slogans, making for a festive mood.
Master of ceremonies Cllr Lloyd Philips, who is the City’s Chair of Chairs, set the ground rules, explaining that the IDP session is meant to report back on the issues raised during community-based planning meetings, which were held last year, and not a forum to raise new service delivery issues.
Only two questions would be allowed from each ward and they’ll have just two minutes to pose their questions.
The hall fell silent as Mayor Amad delivered the keynote address, outlining the state of the City, issues that informed the Draft IDP and the City’s proposed budget for the financial year beginning in July. “Our total budget will be R77.3 billion. Of this, R70.4 billion will be used for operating expenditure, and R6.9 billion will be for capital expenditure,” said Mayor Amad.
It was during question time that the mood in the hall became electric. Hands shot up as community members competed for the attention of the MC, signaling their intention to vent and register their discontent with their poor living conditions.
It may have been April Fool’s Day, but the issues raised were no laughing matter. The questions came thick and fast, some more difficult than others. Some residents spoke in measured tones, posing their questions lucidly.
Others could not contain their emotions, expressing their indignation at the poor state of their neighbourhoods in hoarse terms, and stirring emotions inside the hall.
They decried the neglect of their roads, their children and their homes, and pleaded for intervention from the City.
Among those who stepped forward to represent their wards were Norman Mathebula from Ward 129 in Snake Park, Pakiso Nkomo from Ward 127 in Sol Plaatje, Maria Thitse from Ward 30 in Tshepisong, Thami Zibi from Ward 128 in Tshepisong, Phumzile Hlatshwayo from Ward 127 in Leratong Village.
The issues raised ranged from a breakdown in services to the formalisation of the settlements, safety and security, drainage system, health facilities, street lighting, demarcation and lack of educational and recreational facilities.
At the end, it was left to Cllr Loyiso Masuku, the MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services, to respond to the questions, and she did not disappoint. Explaining that the Government of Local Unity has only been in office for two months, she nevertheless assured residents that the administration had hit the road running.
Cllr Masuku announced that at its second meeting, the City’s council had approved a business plan for informal settlements to get permanent services.
The informal settlements earmarked for development include Matholeville School Side, Princess, Rugby Club, Tshepisong, Zandspruit and Naledi.
The council has also approved a report for the formalisation of informal settlement that will enable the City provide services such as sanitation and electrification.
The audience was left spell bound and receptive as MMC Masuku had the last say.
02/04/2023