According to Gungubele, speaking at the Germiston City Council Chamber on March 26, Ekurhuleni is home to just over 12 million residents.
“Immigration is the principal driver of the city’s GDP growth.”
“Ekurhuleni got awarded as the greenest metro,” he further added.
To depict the changes in the new South Africa, Gungubele told a love story between white Afrikaner male and his black Motswana wife.
Gungubele proposed the progress of 20 years of freedom through a conversation between a multiracial couple.
“It is clear, even though there are still challenges, there has been progress.”
Gungubele said that housing improvements included 90 000 constructions and 120 000 stands since 1994.
“Reduction in overcrowding informal dwellings is going down.”
While delivering his speech, Gungubele thanked the uniform members for their bravery and hard work, and also saluted those who have passed on in the line of duty.
According to Gungubele, nine clinics in the city operate 24 hours; seven mobile clinics are at the disposal of informal settlements.
“R120-million was spent to replace fire engines to reduce response time. The call centre received an upgrade of R7-m; 250 call centre agents are soon to be employed.”
He added that a R51-billion plant will be launched in April, and will take three years to become fully-operational, which will create jobs and opportunities for small businesses.
Gungubele stated that in the 2013/14 period, through the Community Retention Earnings programme, approximately R137-m was spent and a further R100-m injected in road development projects per annum.
“There are 11 000 CV’s registered in our database; 1 100 have been placed within city and private companies. Some 5 000 new jobs could be created through various initiatives by the metro.
“Another 3 500 community work opportunities will be created through tree planting, river cleaning, grass cutting, prevention of land invasion, drainage maintenance and flood management initiatives.”
Gungubele also spoke about initiatives to re-urbanise and re-mobilise to ensure a livable Ekurhuleni.
“Efforts are under way to fight water loss, metering un-metered properties, reducing leaks and pipe replacement.
“By June 2016 more than 40 000 water meters will be installed in un-metered areas. About 2 900 leak repairs have been carried out in indigent areas. By December 2015 43 000 leak repairs would have been completed in indigent properties.”
Gungubele said that the metro will target mass participation and development of communities in sporting activities in the region, including the culture of reading through library services.
“Athletes and creative workers struggling to make ends meet. Intend to work them to break tendency of famous athletes and artists ending up as paupers.
“About 1 441 children between six and nine years participated in ECD project, Learn to Swim. The kiddies Olympics programme was successful and the finals is in May. Six pools refurbished and reopened for public use. Four stadia constructions completed and will be operational by end of May.
“SA Open Golf Championship hosted successfully for third year in row. Has 400 million viewers around the world.”
He further added: “The metro is creating environmental consciousness in communities while empowering residents to take ownership of waste management and refuse removal.
“For this reason 38 100 240-lt wheelie bins have been rolled out. The project is to be completed in 2016.
“Waste removal timetable has been standardised;,keeping the days for refuse removal service constant. We appeal to residents to play part by taking out refuse on designated day as per schedule.”
He noted that the metro has:
* Eradication of electricity blacklogs; more than 10 500 households electrified.
* Started rolling out solar lighting. About 23 000 units have solar lighting panels; 7 000 still to become beneficiaries.
Further, “plans are being finalised for construction on an affordable housing project in Vosloorus.”
Gungubele quotes the mayor of Bogota: “A developed country is not a place where the poor have cars. It is where the rich use public transport. Transport related challenges emanate from non-functional Apartheid spatial form of the city.”
