ALBERTON and Ekurhuleni has been the historic manufacturing hub of the country. Industry and factories have always been the lifeblood of our local economy and contributed to the financial wellbeing of our citizens.
During the past decade manufacturing has showed a steady decline and with it came financial challenges for our community. The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) has adopted a new approach to economic development and is placing a strong focus on reviving the manufacturing sector to bring back much needed jobs.
The EMM has an annual budget of R30 billion and the council has made a commitment to support local business through a buy local campaign. The Executive Mayor Clr Mondli Gungubele has further pledged the inclusion and funding of flagship projects in the Metro through the buy local campaign. We have revised various policies and strategies to ensure that the local economy and the manufacturing sector will be stimulated when spending the budget of the City.
For this purpose Ekurhuleni has adopted a targeted procurement strategy and focused procurement that will be unleashing economic transformation throughout the metro. The total package of targeted procurement will be R2.9 billion and is aptly named ‘Mintirho Ya Vula vula’. This Tshonga phrase means ‘Deeds will speak for themselves’.
This targeted procurement strategy will stimulate procurement by Ekurhuleni from local business owners especially the youth, women and the disabled. The Mintirho Ya Vula vula campaign will be providing valuable economic opportunities for our people to share in the economy of our city.
Procurement is but one of the channels we use to improve the lives of Ekurhuleni residents while we manage public funds in a responsible and effective manner to meet the vast needs of our citizens.
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