The executive mayor of Ekurhuleni, Clr Mzwandile Masina, shared some of the metro’s highlights at the recent council meeting at the Germiston Council Chambers.
Masina said the last council meeting of the year takes place during one of the most important periods in the nation’s calendar, 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children.
“This annual campaign provides us with an opportunity to reflect meaningfully on how far we have come in addressing the scourge of gender-based violence that is tearing our country asunder,” said Masina.
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“Gender-based violence is a challenge to which our country must urgently intervene. Our social development in the City of Ekurhuleni has been centred on addressing this problem.”
He said they are busy with the second phase of constructing women’s shelters in Thokoza and Tembisa. These are centres where abused women can go to receive the shelter and support that they require.
The metro has collaborated with the Thuthuzela Care Centres in Ekurhuleni in response to prevention, ensuring adequate care, support and healing for victims of violence and strengthening the economic power of women.
During the meeting, he highlighted that the metro will be launching local drug action committees within communities in March 2020.
“These committees will be tasked with the responsibility of raising awareness on drug and substance abuse in communities, as well as engaging in other forms of advocacy work.”
Through the Social Labour Plan, the metro has developed a partnership with AfriSam to construct 20 houses for people with disabilities and youth-headed households.
The construction of these houses in Mackenzieville will commence in December.
“The metro has directed its attention to vagrants – men and women without a settled home or regular work, who wander around, residing in public parks and buildings, getting by through begging.
“That this is a dehumanising existence is debatable.
“As the metro, we must ensure we develop a mechanism to deal with this challenge as well as the societal and safety concerns raised by our communities concerning vagrants,” said Masina.
The metro is currently in the process of developing a strategy on how to deal with vagrants.
According to the mayor, this strategy will be finalised before the end of this financial year.
He said their quest to establish world-class botanical gardens is well underway.
“In our preliminary design and consultation phase, we have earmarked Gillooly’s Farm for this project and we are continuing to look for suitable land for the development of a zoo,” he said.
“It is important to understand that the City is not pursuing a zoo and botanical gardens for the sake of just having them.
“We are pursuing them because they will have significant benefits for the residents of our metro as well as a positive impact on the environment.
“Botanical gardens devote their resources to the study and conservation of fauna and flora, providing opportunities for learning, research and the overall maintenance of healthy living,” he said.
The metro has procured 70 tuk-tuks to assist in enhancing economic development, eradicating pollution and minimising the amount of waste taken to a landfill.
These tuk-tuks will be distributed to cooperatives, SMMEs and community members in the waste sector to increase waste recycling in the City.
Masina said the metro recognises the importance of providing quality health care to residents and resolved to increase the number of local clinics piloting the 24-hour healthcare programmes.
“It is in this pursuit of equitable health care that we currently have eight clinics that render 24-hour services within Ekurhuleni,” he said.
Three clinics provide a 12-hour service and 19 operate on Saturdays.
There are eight operational Pele Box facilities in the metro at Clinic.
Another Smart Locker will be launched by the end of December, with eight more in January 2020 at eThafeni and Tsakane.
The fire engines bought in the 2018/2019 financial year will be delivered in January 2020.
The delivery will coincide with the opening of the old Germiston Fire Station, which has since been turned into a museum.
Additionally, the Olifantsfontein Fire Station will be operational before the end of this financial year.
To fight crime and strengthen law enforcement in the City, we have embarked on a process of building the capacity of our law enforcement agencies.
There are 500 recruits in training for the EMPD and 100 will be recruited in early 2020.
Swimming pools, especially in townships, will remain open during the festive season except for Christmas and New Year’s Day.
He said they urge residents to use these facilities with care, uncouth behaviour will not be allowed.
“It is important to stress that public swimming pools are not areas for alcohol consumption as children use these facilities and we must protect them and keep it clean,” he said.
The mayor wishes everyone a blessed festive season.
“I hope the much-needed break will rejuvenate you physically and mentally so that we come back in a few weeks with the renewed energy that is required to serve the people of our beloved metro,” said Masina.
“I would like to wish all our members and residents of Ekurhuleni a love-filled Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
“Please be careful on the roads and remember that it is better to be late than dead.”
