EMM executive mayor delivers State of the City address

Delivering his final speech before the end of his term of officer since 2011, Gungubele divulged the success accomplished by the city in his five year period in office.

His address focused on strengthening social maturity by advancing social cohesiveness in the pursuit of a prosperous and, therefore a livable and, sustainable city.

He also shared detailed information on the growth, development and transformation the city successes have mushroomed from over this period.

“Once more I stand before this house as a humble servant of the people of Ekurhuleni to account for the work we have done and are doing and to share plans related to the work we will be doing in the future to transform our region,” he said as he opened the address.

The major highlights of the day, which were applauded around the room, encompassed the city’s strides to creating programmes of developing the city such as the OR Tambo Aerotropolis Core Corridor initiative, the city’s strides towards dealing with job creation, issues of sanitation, building fire stations in the townships in addition to other infrastructure, bursaries, greening of the city and the awards the city has received during this time frame.

He added to the list of accomplishments the much anticipated R51 billion PRASA New Rolling Stock and the Tambo Springs Inland Port development projects in which both are expected to yield thousands of jobs and are already underway.

Gungubele further disclosed that the developments the city has embarked on, which have ensured township economy revitalisation.

“It is important to remind our people that the implementation of our manifesto is embedded in the three pillared strategic framework of sustenance and service delivery improvement, transformation of society and the city and the preferred destination for investment and the growth where the poor and the rich can co-exist in a mutually beneficial environment, where they are empowered to realise their dreams and aspirations.

“To realise this we formulated an inclusive and broad-based Growth and Development Strategy (GDS) 2055, which is anchored on the five strategic imperatives, namely: re-urbanise, re-industrialise, re-generate, re-mobilise and re-govern – the effective implementation of which should make us a livable, delivering and sustainable city,” he emphasised.

HERE ARE SOME EXTRACTIONS FROM THE SPEECH:

Theme: Strengthening Social Maturity by Advancing Social Cohesion in Pursuit of a Prosperous and, therefore, A Livable, Delivering and Sustainable City

Madam Speaker, Cllr Patricia Kumalo;

Chief Whip of Council, Cllr Robert Mashego;

Fellow Councillors;

Members of the Mayoral Committee;

Leaders of Opposition Parties in Council;

The City Manager, Mr Khaya Ngema, Senior Management, Staff of the City and its

Entities;

Leaders of Labour, Business and Civil Society;

Members of the Media;

Fellow Residents of Ekurhuleni;

Distinguished Guests;

Compatriots and Friends; and

Ladies and Gentlemen.

 

Avuxeni! Good morning! Sanibonani! Molweni! Dumelang! Goeie Môre!

 

Well known author Zig Ziglar says, “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”

Today, I once more stand before this august house as a humble servant of the people of Ekurhuleni, ready to account for the work we have done, and are doing, and to share plans related to the work we will be doing in the future to transform our region.

Indeed, as I take this podium I do so with a great sense of pride knowing that the child we have been bringing up together over the past 15 years, has grown into one of the gems of South Africa. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am talking about Ekurhuleni.

In 2011 our people gave us a mandate to lead the charge against crime, joblessness, inequality and poverty. After almost five years at the forefront of this assault, it is quite humbling to account to our people, and the rest of South Africa, on how we have responded to this clarion call.

We table this report quite aware of the socio-economic conditions of the region. We are aware of the many people sitting on street corners looking for odd jobs; of the young graduates going from pillar to post trying to find employment. We are aware of the demand for livable human settlements, at the helm of which is the delivery of houses and basic services. Indeed, we are mindful of the economic situation of the country, and that of our City, just like we are aware of the poverty levels we have to deal with.

We endeavour to create a new identity for the City of Ekurhuleni by repositioning and integrating our former towns and urban nodes into clusters of economic activity, as envisaged in the National Development Plan. This will grow the economy whilst tackling unemployment, poverty and inequality.

This approach will further internalise the development trajectory of the City among its communities, whilst unlocking the economic development potential of the region and the GCR through the transformation of the urban form, and spaces towards greater efficiency, sustainability and livability through strategic partnerships.

In this regard, we have sought to transform the urban form of Ekurhuleni into densified, compact, economically viable and integrated city corridors that leverage inherent economic capabilities.

The approach of building a new City and an identity means that a significant proportion of this administration’s time was vested in the development of spatial development frameworks (SDFs).

These SDFs are anchored on the national high-speed freight corridor to Durban; international freight corridor to Maputo; and the Innovation Corridor around Germiston, Boksburg, Benoni to a mega-regional triangle that connects Johannesburg, Sandton and Tshwane. The SDF is also anchored on the OR Tambo International Airport that integrates regional airports through the Aerotropolis programme, as well as a systematic effort that creates a larger network of inextricable regional economic linkages that create hope for the unemployed.

Bearing in mind that our City is characterised by extensive informal sector markets that are concentrated at transport interchanges, the transport oriented development approach was a critical feature in the design and development of these corridors in order to leverage seamless mobility, and stimulation of economic activity.

As we have demonstrated through the example of Ekurhuleni, it is common course that the South Africa of today is a far better country to live in than the politically unstable, racially divided and economically depressed pariah state that we inherited in 1994.

During the first 22 years of our democracy we have sought to reverse the legacy of 300 years of race-based discrimination and development. A lot more still needs to be done though, particularly to defeat the triple burden of unemployment, poverty and inequality. Our task is not yet done.

The service we rendered has, at all times, been based on the vision, principles and values that have guided the ANC as it prosecuted a difficult and dangerous struggle in the decades before the attainment of our freedom in 1994.

Among other things, the vision, principles and values of the ANC teach the cadres of this movement life-long lessons that inform us that wherever we are, and whatever we do, we should ensure that our actions contribute to the attainment of a free and just society, the upliftment of all our people, and the development of a South Africa that belongs to all who live in it. This is the reason we now share a united, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous country we are all proud of.

Indeed, the work we have done in pursuit of the vision and principles of our liberation movement has been based on the age-old values of Ubuntu, of selflessness, sacrifice and service in a manner that ensures that the interests of the people take precedence over our desires as individuals.

I truly believe that the governments in which I have been privileged to serve have acted and worked in the true spirit of these important values.

Based on the values of Ubuntu, the significance of which we learnt at the feet of giants of our struggle, such as Chief Albert Luthuli, OR Tambo, Nelson Mandela. We, as government, embarked from 1994 on policies and programmes directed at pulling the people of South Africa out of the morass of poverty, and ensuring that we build a stable, developed and prosperous country.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

 

GRATITUDE

Towards closure, allow me the opportunity to honour my predecessors who laid a firm foundation for this work we have shared today. I salute our inaugural first citizen, the late Mr Bavumile Vilakazi (may his soul rest in peace), his successor Mr Duma Nkosi and, of course, the Speaker of the Gauteng Legislature and my predecessor Ms Ntombi Mekgwe.

That they were able to ensure a smooth transition from a fragmented nine towns and 11 administrations, while ensuring uninterrupted service delivery during such a testing time must be extremely appreciated – for the conception of this Metro was one of the most complex in the history of local government in the country.

Let me also pay homage to dearly departed councillors. We remember, among others, Goodman Beta, Frank Ngidi, Chuene Bashele, Kgomotso Rammego, Kaifus Sambo, Sean McMonagle, Paul Plaatjies, Dumazile Xulu, Simon Boshomane and most recently Mandla Motha. They shall forever remain in our hearts and their contribution is highly appreciated.

Although it has been years since the sad disappearance of Cllr Godfrey Mbethe, we must never lose hope that one day his family will find closure. Indeed, we have individuals who were convicted for his murder but his remains are still unknown.

We must also commend those of our councillors who despite coming under siege from their constituencies, who among others threatened their lives and damaged their properties, did not abandon ship but continued to improve the lives of the people ­including some of those who persecuted them.

 

Compatriots and Friends;

My heartfelt gratitude goes to the people of Ekurhuleni for continuously supporting our programmes and ensuring that we remain on track as we pursue the quest for a better life for all. Your positive attitude towards government programmes has, over the years, enabled us to do that which you elected us to do.

Gratitude must also go to the members of this august house, the councillors whose voices represent the multitudes of our people – mainly the voiceless. Working together has always been great fun, and thank you for being there for the people of our beloved City.

Special thanks is accorded to the business community, NGOs, youth structures and other stakeholders for making themselves available and vocal when it comes to the socio­economic issues of the City.

To the City Manager; senior and middle management; and staff of the city and entities -I can only reiterate what I said in the past, “Indeed, great strides have been made in the 15 years but Isende Lendlela”. You have done well in the majority of areas, and I am confident that you are equal to the task going forward.

To the glorious movement that deployed me here, the ANC, I would be doing a great injustice if I did not show my appreciation for the confidence shown in me by allowing me to lead such a dynamic municipality. Enkosi kakhulu.

I also wish to take this opportunity to thank my wife, children, family and friends for their continued understanding and support since I arrived in the City in October 2010.

This, ladies and gentlemen, compatriots and friends is the last State of the City Address for this current term of political office.

Ke a leboga. Hi khensile. Baie dankie. Ndiyabulela. Ngiyabonga. I Thank You.

 

Follow this link to read to complete SPEECH by executive mayor Mondli Gungubele.