By Nkhensani Chauke
City of Tshwane mayor Dr. Nasiphi Moya has pledged to address the embattled municipality’s challenges head-on in the next financial year since taking over office last year.
Speaking in Pretoria on Tuesday, Moya reflected on the achievements and challenges of the multi-party coalition government over the past 100 days.
These include financial stability, economic revitalisation, infrastructure development, equitable service delivery, cleanliness, by-law enforcement, urban safety, and improved government accessibility.
Moya, an ActionSA councillor, was elected Mayor of Tshwane in October last year after a decisive victory over the DA’s Cilliers Brink. Her election was backed by a coalition of the ANC and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
“As we reflect on the past 100 days, it is clear that we still have much work ahead however the progress we have made so far gives us confidence that we are on the right path, today is not just a reflection on what has been achieved but a commitment to what still needs to be done,” said Moya.
She said that achieving financial stability in the city has always been her primary objective, given that the municipality cannot effectively provide services to its residents without stable financial foundation.
She noted that being at the forefront of financial recovery efforts has led to enhanced revenue collection, although the monthly target of R4 billion has not been met yet, the municipality has consistently achieved a monthly revenue collection of R3,3 billion.
Moya pointed out that municipality’s revenue collection from November to January has surpassed the previous year’s figures, which is an indicator that the city is bolstering its capacity to deliver essential basic services to more residents.
“We have set ourselves a target of 95% of all residents and businesses being build based on actual readings, I am pleased to report that we have reached 90% with continued focused we are confident that we will achieved that 95% before the end of the financial year,” said Moya.
In just three months of taking office the mayor of Tshwane, Moya has also managed reduce Eskom’s historic debt from R6.76 billion to R6.1 billion.
“We have also made significant progress in managing our creditor obligations, particularly addressing our debt to Eskom of R6.1 billion.”
Moya furthermore added that a comprehensive Audit Outcome Remedial Action Plan has been introduced, to tackle the root causes of the 2023/2024 financial year audit findings and bring about lasting improvements.
Some of the key focus to date include economic revitalisation with a strong emphasis on fostering investment, supporting businesses, and creating job opportunities for Tshwane residents.
“Some of our key deliverable has been the development of a comprehensive Economic Revitalisation Plan aimed at strengthening support for SMMEs, improving the ease of doing business, and accelerating the growth of the township economy,” she said
To revitalise the Tshwane Metro, Moya is investing in critical infrastructure to drive growth in strategic industries, including the automotive sector in Rosslyn and the Waterkloof Industrial Zone.
“The administration has intensified efforts to clean up and rejuvenate Tshwane’s inner city, focusing on by-law enforcement, increased policing, and the removal of illegal dumping sites,” she said.
“One such example is the recent handover of Schubart Park to the Tsoseletso Consortium, which has committed over R1 billion to redevelop the site into a vibrant mixed-use development, including 1,300 affordable housing units and commercial spaces.”
“Over the past 100 days, we have taken critical steps to improve water, electricity, and road infrastructure, acknowledging the pressing challenges the city faces in these areas.”
Reflecting on water security, Moya said Phase 1 of the Magalies Klipdrift Water Treatment Plant upgrade was completed in November 2024, which delivers 12,5 megalitres of treated water per day to four wards in Hammanskraal.
Moya said they city is taking severe action to address illegal connections at the Mabopane Main Reservoir.
“We are working hard to change this by ensuring that investments in electricity infrastructure benefit law-abiding residents and businesses, rather than being lost to theft and sabotage,” she said.
“For too long, Soshanguve residents have suffered from unreliable electricity supply due to a failure to invest in maintenance and to address illegal connections.”
The municipality has made significant strides in improving public safety by restoring 291 high-mast lights, surpassing its target of 200, the 19 high-mast lights have been commissioned in strategic areas to enhance visibility and deter criminal activities.
“One of our most significant interventions has been improving public lights to enhance safety and security. In this period, we have repaired 21,285nstreetlights,” she said.
“Road infrastructure has also been a major focus area. From an inherited backlog of 692 potholes, we have successfully repaired 687, achieving an 99% reduction.”
Moya said over the past 100 days, the municipality has managed to prioritise direct interaction with residents, fostering 14 izimbizo across all seven regions, covering urban and rural areas, townships and suburbs.
“This initiative involves categorising these Centre’s into Mega, Satellite, and Remote Centres, with the goal of standardising service delivery and ensuring that all residents, regardless of location, can access municipal services with ease,” she said.
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