Tsakani – The atmosphere was thick with excitement as hopeful residents waited for the Cabinet to address them.
The Ekurhuleni Presidential Imbizo, which took place at Tsakani Stadium on Friday, is the first in the seventh administration.
Minister of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosi Hlabisa, acknowledged many believed the event was too expensive for the state.
“The imbizo is value for money. All the issues brought up today will be resolved in the next 21 days,” he said.
Residents received an opportunity to voice their concerns.
“I have taken note of everything that has been said. So have all the ministers and deputy ministers,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The president also said he was pleased with the ministers of the Government of National Unity (GNU) and how they have worked well together through different political parties. The president then called up ministers, and other relevant officials, to address concerns raised by the residents.
“We are expanding the Gautrain to Springs. Building that infrastructure will create 75 000 permanent jobs,” announced Gauteng premier, Panyaza Lesufi.
The crowd of young people well received this. Lesufi added Gauteng, in partnership with MTN, Huawei and Into IT, will ensure that 20 more townships receive reliable free Wi-Fi.
“There are so many informal schools. If you fix one, another person will complain about another school,” he said.
The premier acknowledged they had the budget to build 18 schools in Gauteng. Sizuzile Primary School, in Tsakani, and Barcelona Primary School, in Daveyton, are on the list.
@african_reporter President #CyrilRamaphosa addressing the #Ekurhuleni residents at the Presidential Imbizo. #KwaThema#johannesburgsouthafrica #ekurhuleni #ramaphosa #Duduza #PresidentialImbizo2024 #Tsakani
“As indicated, people are desperate for support for small businesses. There is a programme, the Shared Economic Infrastructure Facility, where we build offices and workshops to be used by residents in a municipality.
“We have built one such building in Springs, that will open in September,” explained Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, Minister of Small Business Development.
Ndabeni-Abrahams encouraged business owners to explore all available systems to develop their businesses, including training.
This was in response to one resident expressing concerns about illegal businesses suffocating small businesses in the area.
He said some businesses are failing because they have to compete with people operating illegally and who do not pay taxes to the state.
“There has to be a way to regulate all businesses, and to ensure those running the businesses are in the country legally,” he said.
In response to concerns about power outages and the rising price of electricity, the Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said more could be done to help the poor.
“We had no load-shedding for the past five months, and I can say, without any doubt, we can make load-shedding a thing of the past.
“What some areas have experienced is load reduction. Illegal connections that put too much strain on the infrastructure mainly cause load reduction,” he said.
Ramokgopa explained that 10 million households qualify for free basic electricity in South Africa. Unfortunately, only two million are enjoying that benefit.
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Ramokgopa appealed with residents to register for indigent status with the municipality. The people of Kwatsaduza did not forget to mention that they often experience water cuts. In response, Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, said the situation can be remedied.
“Water is important. Water is life. Residents see many leaks and they do not report them to the municipality. We have to help each other to get the water where it is meant to be.
“Secondly, water is being stolen. Some have made ways to intercept the system and take water that does not belong to them. Thirdly, illegal miners use water in their criminal activity.
“Lastly, compared to the rest of the world, we have learned that South Africans use more water than the international standard, 1 73l per capita per day. We use 2 18l per capita per day,” she explained.
Majodina encouraged residents to use water sparingly.
@african_reporter Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says this year’s Presidential Imbizo will provide solutions to the issues such as unemployment, crime, and water. #panyazalesufi #KwaThema #AfricanReporter #johannesburgsouthafrica #ekurhuleni #ramaphosa #Duduza #presidentialimbizo #Tsakani #kwatsaduza
