By Thebe Mabanga
Ekurhuleni executive mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza delivered his State of the City Address (SOCA) at the Council Chambers in Germiston amid service delivery protests by residents and disruptions from some Government of Local Unity (GLU) members.
Drawing on the City’s rich history, Xhakaza painted a hopeful yet sobering picture while reaffirming Ekurhuleni’s ambition to become a leading logistics hub, backed by substantial investments.
Outside, irate protesters, who sought to raise ongoing service delivery concerns with the mayor, disrupted the ceremonial guard and caused a ruckus.
According to Scrolla Africa,residents from areas in the vicinity of Germiston were demanding improved services and title deeds to flats that were donated to council but are now required to pay rental and services.
According to protesters, water and lights to the establishment have since been cut.
Once inside the chamber ahead of commencing his address, Xhakaza faced further protests and disruption from the Economic Freedom Front (EFF), who brandished placards highlighting service delivery concerns, including potholes and electricity failure.
Order had to be restored by council Speaker Nthabiseng Tshivenga, also from the EFF, who informed her colleagues that placards were not allowed in the chamber.
The EFF is part of the coalition government with ANC in the City and has four members in the Mayoral Committee.
Once allowed to speak, Xhakaza started off by drawing on a brief history of Ekurhuleni, which marks its 25th anniversary in December this year.
Ekurhuleni was formed in December 2000 through the amalgamation of nine towns and 11 administrations that made up the former East Rand.
On Thursday, Xhakaza described it as “the city where the dawn of freedom broke after long midnight years.”
Ekurhuleni was the epicentre of the November 1984 stay away, where a million workers downed tools and made Transvaal stand still.
This is one of the key episodes in the path towards the fall of apartheid.
In the early 90s, the area witnessed political violence between the African National Congress (ANC) and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), most notably in Katlehong and Thokoza, while the city also hosted the first multi-party talks towards democracy at the World Trade Centre.
Xhakaza noted, as he acknowledged the coalition government that took office a year ago, that Ekurhuleni “is the sacred ground where liberation struggle icons like OR Tambo and Mama Adelaide, Thomas Nkobi, Bertha Gxowa, Margaret Gazo, among others, rest – their spirits standing as eternal sentinels of our freedom.”
Ekurhuleni mayor, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, at the State of the City Address on Thursday in Germiston.
PHOTO: Eddie Mtsweni
Midway through his address, Xhakaza condemned last week’s strike by Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) over working conditions.
“This was an unprecedented act by any law enforcement institution in the country.” he said.
“We do promise South Africans that stern and decisive action will be taken against those involved in this shameless act.”
On the City’s economic outlook, Xhakaza said the unemployment rate of 33.7% is above the national average and is disproportionally higher amongst the youth aged 18 to 34.
The City’s economic strategy rests on a number of pillars which it hopes will attract investment.
These include the Urban Renewal, Aerotropolis Projects anchored at the OR Tambo International Airport, Renewable Energy, Strategic Land Parcels for Public Private Partnerships, Township Economic Development and Industrial Parks.
Ekurhuleni has opened a R2,5 billion steel mill in Nigel which created 1000 jobs at a time when Arcelor Mittal is closing its plant in neighbouring Vereeniging.
Another project is the Tambo Springs Inland Port by the Newlyn Group, a vast 20-million-square-metre industrial development situated in the Southern Region of Ekurhuleni bordering Zonk’zizwe and Vosloorus.
Xhakaza said, once revived, the R24 billion capital investment project will create over 240 000 jobs over a 15-year period and create over 4 000 new formal SMME opportunities.
He also said in the current financial year the City has facilitated almost R 10 billion in investments.
Other major investments include the Airport Company of South Africa’s midfield cargo terminal worth R5.7 billion; M&T at R2 billion and the Gauteng IDZ at R1 billion.
The Township Agriculture Development plan will make 50 farms that have been identified for rapid land release in addition to an existing 40-hectare segment allocation.
Xhakaza said Ekurhuleni has succeeded in creating 18 000 job opportunities for women and young people through programmes such as the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) among others.
Xhakaza reaffirmed the city’s intention to establish a Science and Innovation University.
He also expressed sympathy for communities experiencing unreliable water supply, the latest being the affluent suburb of Bedfordview, which experienced a nine-day outage.
“In this regard, a total of R1.8 billion has been set aside over the [medium term] for the replacement, upgrades, and the extension of water and sewer pipes; implementation of non-revenue programme; install new meters to the 37 000 unmetered stands; and consolidate 2 500 stands.” Xhakaza announced.
Xhakaza says R2 billion has been spent on constructing 21 reservoirs and four towers, while R196 million is spent on eight towers in this financial year, which are between 70% and 90% complete.
The City plans to replace ageing energy infrastructure, digitise it while clamping down on illegal copper trade.
The City spent R338 million later, to connect 2 812 new connections in informal settlements.
Xhakaza described potholes as “becoming and albatross for the city” and announced that 500km has been maintained in this financial year, while 500 potholes have been attended.
The city also serviced 5 000 of its 7 000 stormwater drains to mitigate against future flooding.
Xhakaza reiterated his commitment to clean governance through ‘Operation Clean Audit’ but did not raise an investigation that is currently underway and causing the city a R 2 billion shortfall through the manipulation of about 1 600 electricity account.
EFF members say the state of the City of Ekurhuleni is one of pothole-ridden roads, non-functioning traffic lights, an electricity crisis, and declining revenue caused by poor planning and lack of strategy.
PHOTO: Eddie Mtsweni
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