“This is a speech in which the executive mayor shares with the people of Ekurhuleni progress made since the last local government elections in 2011,” says mayoral spokesman Zweli Dlamini.
“Also to be highlighted is the progress made in the present financial year and the way forward, in terms of delivering on the mandate given to the city by the electorate two and a half years ago.”
He says issues of job creation, poverty alleviation and inequality, and progress on strategic mayoral programmes, such as the aerotropolis, beautification of lakes and dams, the integrated public transport system and digital city will dominate the speech.
“A new dimension that the public can expect next week will be a reflection on the achievements of the past 20 years of democracy – this, of course, being the 20th anniversary of South Africa’s democracy,” he adds.
“Although the metro is only 13 years old, the region itself has been in existence as the East Rand for years.
“In actual fact, it was at the World Trade Centre, in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, where the Codesa, which led to the birth of the new non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa, was held.
“Obviously, 20 years later, we have a story to tell and the mayor will certainly do that.
“For the past two weeks Gungubele has been running a public participation campaign, known as the Soca tips drive, aimed at encouraging the public to share their views on what they would like him to touch on in the speech.
“The public response was quite overwhelming, and all we are doing now is incorporating some of the views into the speech and putting in some final touches, then we shall be good to go.”
Dlamini adds that plans for the big day are at an advanced stage.
