Mayor’s State of the City Address received with mixed emotions
“We want jobs, not plans”
KwaThema -The Ekurhuleni State of the City Address was received with mixed emotions by political leaders and residents on March 27.
The address was delivered by the Ekurhuleni mayor, Mzwandile Masina, at the KwaThema Stadium where over 2 000 residents flocked.
Community member Johannah Mahlangu says the mayor’s plans are clear on paper but when they are supposed to be implemented it is a different story.
Also read: Ekurhuleni mayor delivers State of the City Address in KwaThema
“We have councillors who hire people who are close to them or singing their praises.
“We have been promised houses since the dawn of democracy but to this day all we hear are numbers of houses build in neighbouring areas.
“We want tangible progress, not promises. Today he is saying over 9 800 job opportunities have been created, yet our children who graduated are still unemployed.
“Who are these people who were recruited and where do they stay,” she asks.
Chief whip of the ANC in council Jongizizwe Dlabathi says they are happy with the progress that the city is making in improving service delivery.
“The city has been able to create 9 800 job opportunities over a period of 19 months.
“Many young people have been absorbed through the private sector and public sector during that period.
“Young people who wanted to study further at a university were given the opportunity through the bursary initiative the municipality is providing,” he explains.
“This is an indication that we are on the right track to improving the lives of our people.”
In a statement released by the DA, councillor Phillip de Lange says the squabbles within the ANC in the race to leadership has affected service delivery in the city.
“The recent march, which was disguised as that of the taxi association a few weeks ago, has turned out to be influenced by the factions within the ANC.
“The mayor speaks of uprooting corruption but that is just lip service.
“When it is time to act, little has been done, we want numbers of people who have been dismissed to date with charges relating to corruption.
“We will continue to ask for a judicial inquiry into housing fraud and corruption,” he says.
Follow us on our social media platforms:
