Executive mayor Mzwandile Masina presented his last State of the City Address (Soca) for his term on March 24, under the theme Ushering in an Era of Renewed Commitment and Unity Towards Rebuilding a People-centered Post-Covid Economy.
Masina highlighted that it had been an honour to serve the people of Ekurhuleni.
Masina noted that Soca takes place at a rather extraordinary time when the world is dealing with Covid-19 and highlighted that burials in Ekurhuleni between January and December were over 13 139 as compared to 11 150 for the same period in 2019.
“The pandemic has been psychologically and economically bruising.
“Municipalities, including our own, have suffered the most severe losses in revenue due to loss of income by residents and businesses. Our economic reconstruction and recovery plan must be a realistic one that talks to our people,” he said.
A 10-point economic plan to position Ekurhuleni as the primary anchor and footprint of the provincial economy has been proposed.
The following programmes will be implemented:
Revitalisation of the manufacturing sector
Historically Ekurhuleni has always been a manufacturing capital of the southern hemisphere. However, over the years manufacturing has taken a knock.
The City has been working with the private sector on a range of large-scale development projects to promote industrialisation.
Implementation of the Aerotropolis master plan
In 2017, the Ekurhuleni council approved the 30-year Aerotropolis master plan for implementation to drive sustainable socio-economic development and an economic infrastructure development programme, in partnership with other spheres of government, state-owned companies, private business and social partners.
Investments underway include the ACSA expansion, developments along the R21 corridor and investments in the OR Tambo International Airport industrial development zone.
Acceleration of the IDZ/SEZ programme
The Gauteng industrial development zone (IDZ) programme is meant to develop land around OR Tambo International Airport to stimulate economic development on 7.5 hectares of land. The focus is on sectors such as food processing, jewellery, diamond beneficiation, fuel cells and aerospace. To date, an investment of R1.5-billion has been realised. After the programme, it is anticipated that 7 000 new jobs would have been created.
Land availability for strategic development
The following policies and strategies were put in place to guide its agricultural development programmes. To support emerging and established farmers within the City, work has been done to lease council-owned agricultural farms. Eleven bidders have been approved.
SMME support through public procurement
These programmes were divided into the following sections: enterprise development, mentorship, incubation, tender advice centre, business incubation programme, business licence and compliance, innovation, pitching booster and the Ekurhuleni community enterprise development fund.
Implementation of the township economy strategy.
The City in its endeavour to encourage township economic development has completed phase one and phase two of the Etwatwa industrial hub in the 2018/19 financial year.
Enabling public transport system
In October 2017, Harambee commenced operations with the rollout of eight buses on a route between Thembisa and Isando. As of March 6, Harambee extended services on the route between Thembisa and OR Tambo International Airport through the introduction of weekend services such as Saturdays and Sundays as well as public holiday services.
Massive infrastructure investment
In advancing the massive infrastructure investment programme, the City has implemented the following programmes since 2016:
• Facilitating the implementation of strategic urban development (SUD) to unlock the R300-b investment pipeline, so far an estimated R80-b has been unlocked.
• Facilitating the implementation of the SEZ programme in the City unlocking about R7-b.
• Approval and implementation of the Ekurhuleni investment and development facilitation framework and Matrix as a mechanism to fast-track strategic investments.
• The rand value of investment attracted over five years by the current administration include Prasa-Gibela, Teraco Data Centre, ACSA expansion programme, S&J Industrial Investment, Riverfields investment along the R21, industrial/manufacturing investments such as GZI can manufacturing, and Komatsu.
The City has so far invested R800-million since 2016 in bulk infrastructure to open up development along the area of the R21 corridor.
Promote localisation and production
Since the commencement of the current term of office, the fifth administration has made significant strides in the implementation of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act 2000 and its regulations. The total procurement expenditure to date is almost R44-b for open bids as well as quotations.
Skills, capacity development and institutional development
The programme was implemented using 14 local youth offices, which provide business training, funding application and referrals to other support programmes.
The City has appointed over 6 332 young people to the work readiness programme and internships. The big idea development trajectory is challenging their spatial mindsets, such as constructing the Disney Africa, Formula 1 racetrack, private zoo, botanical garden, and private cemetery, which can then be absorbed into a solid spatial model and progressive budget.
Masina touched on what has been achieved during his term:
Infrastructure cluster
We have 16 mega projects underway that include Esselen Park, Thembisa Extension 25, Leeuwpoort, John Dube Village, Chief Luthuli Ext Six, Van Dyk Park, Brakpan Old Location Ext 13, Palm Ridge Ext 10 and 12 and Palmierfontein.
“I am proud to announce that we have delivered over 42 773 housing units and 26 543 serviced stands,” said Masina.
Electricity
The City has invested R174 000 000 to upgrade the network infrastructure in the Benoni area. The network consists of oil-filled cables, which are 45 years of age and have reached their life span. The Distribution Business Unit has raised projects to replace such cables to ensure continuity of supply moreover, to strengthen the backbone network.
The completed projects which were raised to address the aforementioned challenges include:
• Replacement of 132kV cable between Benoni bulk intake substation and Town substation – R 25 000 000
• Replacement of 132kV cable between Benoni bulk intake and Farrarmere substation – R54 000 000
• Replacement of 132kV cable between Town substation and Morehill substation – R 65 000 000
• Instal a new cable for the Putfontein settlement – R30 000 000
Road infrastructure
Mega flagship projects like the doubling of Barry Marais, Daveyton/N12 and Nyoni Park are underway.
Projects over the five years
Major infrastructure projects including the construction of 10 libraries in areas such as Thembisa, Zonkizizwe, Langaville, Leondale and Kingsway, have been undertaken. Megaprojects completed over the past five years include the Dumisani Masilela Threatre, Sinaba Stadium, Etwatwa Swimming Pool, and the OR Tambo statue.
Crime
“Crime levels in the City are reflective of the growing crime rates in the country in general.
“Crime has become a serious challenge, impacting negatively on the sense of safety of our residents and local businesses. Hijacking, robberies and business robberies are the main crimes,” he said.
Masina added that these are all economic crimes and reflect it is causally linked to economic disenfranchisement.
“Land invasions have been one of the most challenging problems the City has been dealing with over the last few years.
“We have established a unit fully dedicated to dealing with this problem and I am pleased to state it is fully operational.”
He said in a few months, the current administration would have come to the end of its terms of office.
“Multitudes of South Africans will be heading to the polls to once again practise their democratic right to choose the government of their choice.
“Over the years, like this administration, we have demonstrated our mettle to deliver quality and sustainable services to our people.
“I know we have at least six more months to run the City and I am confident that together we shall make the best of it and leave a lasting legacy.”
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