The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality’s (EMM) executive mayor, Clr Mondli Gungubele, has thanked residents for understanding the municipality’s service delivery challenges throughout 2014.
He said, “As our staff continued to work even harder to service our communities, our residents kept us on our toes when it seemed like we were losing focus. It is because of such participatory democracy that our governance machinery can improve even further.”
Clr Gungubele wished residents a blessed Christmas and a successful new year.
He said one of his highlights for 2014 was the commemoration of South Africa’s 20 years of democracy.
“It was in April 1994 when we voted for the first democratic government, and 20 years later, our democracy remains intact. We are still a country that belongs to all who live in it, regardless of race and gender. In the middle of this year we hosted yet another democratic and incident-free election to demonstrate to the world that we are a country maturing with time,” said Clr Gungubele.
He appealed to communities to abstain from vandalising property and disrupting schooling during service delivery protests.
“Such incidents which happened in some areas are taking us back instead of taking us forward. They deprive our children, who are the future of the region and the country, a shot at education which is the key for the future,” he added.
As far as his message for the new year is concerned, Clr Gungubele said, “In welcoming 2015, we must put the atrocities of the past year behind us and look forward to a brand new year with its own positives and challenges. It is my sincere wish that all those who will be going away to various destinations to relax and/or visit family during the festive break, drive and arrive safely. For us who are remaining behind, let us be on our best behaviour and make sure that we enjoy the festive season in a crime-free, non-violent and peaceful environment. As I have said before – as a community we create peace and order, and the police must sustain it.
“We have all had a long year and as such, we must relax and fully recharge our batteries so that when we return in the new year, we can continue building an Ekurhuleni that is the most favoured place to stay, work, invest and play. Have a blessed Christmas Ekurhuleni. For 2015, I can only wish you a successful year that will bring you happiness, health and prosperity,” said Clr Gungubele.
