Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni makes many promises

Newly elected Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza gave his maiden speech at the State of the City Address (SOCA) on April 30.

It has been only a few weeks since he resumed office, but he hit the ground running and was seen interacting with the community.

He reflected on the city’s achievements under the leadership of the ANC and promised to continue their plans for it.

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“This intervention heralded the beginning of an era of recovery and rebuilding of the institution and the State machinery while restoring the culture of service delivery in all areas,” said Xhakaza.

He said his election marked the start of a new era for the type of government that would take the city’s agenda forward.

“In this government I am honoured to lead, it is clear that political stability will be the cornerstone for the remainder of the current term of office, which will be characterised by quality, sustained, and equitable service delivery,” said Xhakaza.

His office will serve under the theme A Responsive City Working with Agility to Restore Service Delivery to the People.

He said he would fast-track service delivery for the next few years.

“The next few years will be characterised by the fast-tracking of service delivery projects, job creation, and a massive drive to attract investment,” said Xhakaza.

He further said they have identified the six key pillars the administration will focus on for the remaining years of the current term of office.

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These pillars are:

• Provision of quality and sustainable services to all residents.

• Rebuilding a strong financial base to support the city’s development.

• Conducting essential repairs and maintenance of public facilities.

• Investment in critical infrastructure in partnership with the private sector.

• Economic development, growth, and job creation, with a focus on the Aerotropolis and the revitalisation of the manufacturing sector.

• Preserving good and ethical governance.

He said everything they will do would be anchored on the Growth and Development Strategy for 2055.
He also touched on energy issues and promised to address them.

“The thorny issue of energy. We will soon introduce a campaign called Khanyisa Mhlali.

“It is aimed at a vast rollout of electrification projects throughout the city. In particular, streetlight maintenance and the rollout of high mast lights. The details of this programme will be shared in due course,” said the mayor.

He also declared an aggressive approach to crime and hijacked buildings in the Germiston CBD.

“We have had enough of crime. We now need the EMPD to work with other security agencies to show no mercy to criminals. What we experience daily on our streets and in communities has to stop.

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“Our people must help us reclaim our streets from drug lords and traffickers, pickpocketers, and other peddlers of crime.

“Just here in Germiston, we face a huge challenge of hijacked buildings, mainly around the Dumisani Masilela Theatre, an area that has become foreign in our own space.

“We need to reclaim the buildings around the theatre precinct and repurpose them.

“A serious clean-up campaign of our CBDs is not negotiable, and the chief of police and his team have received a briefing, and we expect immediate action,” said Xhakaza.

He said a multi-disciplinary by-law enforcement team must carry out the operation.

The mayor said they remain concerned about the state of finances.

“We seem not to be collecting enough revenue. Our finances are also not aligned with our priorities. The stability of our finances will go a long way to restoring all the major outstanding infrastructure projects,” said Xhakaza.