Political parties weigh in on Ekurhuleni mayor’s state address

Ekurhuleni’s newly elected Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza delivered his inaugural State of the City Address (SOCA) on April 30, outlining his vision for the municipality and emphasising his commitment to community engagement and service delivery.

He announced plans to conduct mayoral imbizos to interact directly with residents, listen to their concerns, and work collaboratively to address challenges.

Political parties had the opportunity to scrutinise the mayor’s address and share their thoughts on his plans for the city.

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ActionSA, which sponsored the motion of no confidence against the former mayor, expressed cautious optimism about Xhakaza’s leadership.

Siyanda Makhubu, ActionSA’s Ekurhuleni caucus leader, stressed the importance of political oversight in holding the government accountable and urged the mayor to prioritise service delivery and financial stability.

However, ActionSA also voiced disappointment in the reappointment of EFF MMCs who had previously failed to perform in their roles.

Makhubu emphasised the need for improved service delivery and the rebuilding of a strong financial base to support the city’s development.

Despite welcoming essential repairs and maintenance of public facilities and efforts towards economic growth and job creation, the DA expressed scepticism and a lack of faith in Xhakaza’s leadership.

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Ald Tania Campbell, DA caucus leader in Ekurhuleni, highlighted service delivery failures and the enduring challenges faced by residents, including inadequate access to water, electricity, sanitation, and housing.

Campbell said the DA was committed to holding the mayor and his administration accountable for their failures and shortcomings, pledging to advocate for improved governance and service delivery in Ekurhuleni.