ALBERTON – I grew up in a very stable environment with good parents in Raceview, Alberton and have historically found change very challenging. As a politician change has become such a part of my life that change management is today one of my best skills. With this in mind, there will be several changes to the ward demarcation in Ekurhuleni ahead of the 2016 local government elections.
2016 may seem far away, but the first set of ward demarcations for 2016 will be available by the end of November 2014. While awaiting the publication of the formula for the determination of the number of councillors in Ekurhuleni, the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) has embarked on an awareness campaign for the ward delimitation process.
The MDB sent out a circular to shift the focus of stakeholders to the immediate priorities for the ward delimitation process. Minister Pravin Gordan recently published the formula for the determination of the number of councillors in Ekurhuleni and the MEC responsible for local government in Gauteng, Jacob Mamabolo determined that the number of councillors will increase from 201 to 229. Residents are reminded that this growth in the political leaders of the city is as a direct result of the inclusion of Letsedi (Heidelberg) into Ekurhuleni after 2016. Now that the number of councillors are available, the MDB can determine the number of wards by dividing the number of councillors by two.
Ekurhuleni will have 115 wards, up from 101 wards. The MDB will now prepare the first set of draft ward maps. These maps have no legal status, but will merely serve as a starting point in the upcoming process of ward delimitation. The MDB will prepare the first set of ward maps with the assistance of Ekurhuleni planners and other technical staff.
New ward boundaries are established, taking into account the ward delimitation criteria such as residents who regard themselves as a community, as well as the topography and physical characteristics of the ward. The MDB will finalise the mapping by mid-November 2014 and Municipal Managers must give feedback to the MDB by the end of the year.
This important process will be finalised by January 2015, and residents are reminded to participate in the consultative process during 2015 to ensure their comments and inputs are captured by the MDB, before the final Ekurhuleni municipal boundaries are established. Please follow me on twitter @neildiamond7 for regular updates.
