Ward 15 Clr Amanda Davison reflects on 2023

As the year draws to an end, Ward 15 Clr Amanda Davison caught up with the Kempton Express and reflected on 2023.

“It is with a sad and heavy heart that I look back over a year, which unfortunately turned out much worse than 2022. The year was bleak and dark with service delivery hitting an all-time low,” said Davison.

“The political arena in the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) ended with actual physical violence in council – in the chambers, which are supposed to be sacred and where issues are supposed to be resolved for our most important customers, the citizens.

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“Regardless of what some might say, it is a fact that the city is struggling financially.”

Davison said it saddened her that Kempton Park’s revenue collection is amongst the highest in Ekurhuleni, yet the residents suffer.

“Streetlights are one of the biggest issues.”

She said the energy department was trying to refurbish the limited equipment with hardly any resources.

“Our streets are dark with the ripple effect of rising crime. Residents are not safe.

“I do thank the local CPF and CCF structures, patrollers and security companies who assist the SAPS and EMPD in the current situation of no security provided by the council of the city,” said Davison.

She explained potholes were another big issue in the city.

“I thank the Roads and Storm Water Department for doing some repairs and filling with limited resources.

“The stormwater department did a fabulous job initiating the Glen Marais system upgrade at the outlet in Ceylon Road,” said Davison.

She added there was still a lot of work to be done on the 30-year-old stormwater system, collapsing and forming sinkholes in Birchleigh and Glen Marais.

“Load-shedding is getting worse and destroying our ailing infrastructure, affecting the health of our residents on oxygen machines, the poor and elderly. The constant on/off gives cable theft syndicates ample opportunity to continue looting.

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“Accounts and invoicing problems have also not quite improved. I thank the accounts department officials for doing their best, to resolve issues considering the continuous problems from the ICT department.

“On a positive, I would like to thank the Kempton waste depot as the waste collection has stabilised.

“Unfortunately, there are various issues at our landfill sites. The Environment and Waste Department is currently working on solutions.”

Another big win for her ward was the clean-up project by the Environment and Waste Department of the illegal dump off Old Pretoria, next to the J&J Maritz quarry.

Davison said the community also helped, arranging clean-up campaigns. Thank you for the depot’s assistance with providing skips and collecting the litter.

She said the lack of resources also affected the parks and cemeteries depot.

“Various depots have combined equipment for grass cutting. Tree maintenance is limited to emergencies. This service will only improve once the city resolves its financial situation.

“I commend the water department. We had massive bursts with many residents without water for days on end. This committed team works 24/7, under very trying conditions, to restore our water supply.

“Our infamous ‘truck eater’ Elgin Bridge is still causing havoc in the greater Kempton Park. I am happy to say that PRASA has joined me in finding a solution. I will continue putting pressure on various departments to have the low bridge warning uploaded to all GPS systems,” she added.

Davison said the polluted stream running through the wetland caused the hyacinth problem on the Goodies water body.

She said the inter-departmental problem was investigated together with other councillors.

“I will continue to work with provincial structures on a solution to the Old Kempton Park Hospital and the P91 death road.”

She thanked the provincial roads department for repairs on Old Pretoria Road and around the Elgin Circle.

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“As the challenges grow, so do our resilience and dedication to not give up. We are South Africans. We face problems and overcome them with determination.

“I implore all residents to ensure they are correctly registered for the national and provincial elections of 2024.”

“I once again reaffirm my commitment to the residents of Ward 15 to continue the fight to improve service delivery in this city.

“I look forward to continue working together as a community to make positive strides in making this city work for all of us who live within it,” she said.