The Executive Mayor of Mopani District Municipalities, Pule Shayi has promised to oversee the completion of nine big projects in his first 100 days in office.
Delivering his maiden State of the District Address at the Lulekani Stadium on Friday 12 July, Shayi said that the municipality will complete Phase 1A and 1B of the Joppie to Mawa-Ramotshinyadi project and the Tours Bulk Water Scheme Treatment Plant.
The completion and full operation of Lenyenye Sewage Plant, Phase 2A and 2D of Sefofotse-Ditshosini Bulk Water, the Mametja-Sekororo Water Treatment Works and the upgrading of Ba-Phalaborwa Sewage Works.
He also spoke on the upgrading of Mapikiri Water Storage Tank, refurbishing of package plant and upgrading of raw water pipeline at Zava village in the Greater Giyani Municipality. Much of his speech centred around youth empowerment, making pronouncement of free Wi-Fi at all public meetings and the district head office in Giyani.
“This will afford communities, young people in particular an opportunity to surf the net and also share activities of the day with the rest of the world through social media platforms,” said Shayi. He said that 30% of municipal procurement will go to youth-owned enterprises. “We are marching ahead, and will convene a youth indaba during this financial year in a bid to consolidate the efforts of all stakeholders behind the agenda of youth development,” he said. Shayi also took the opportunity to urge communities on water useage.
“The dam levels are between 5% and 40%. Boreholes in some areas have dried up and collapsed while in other areas there is just no underground water due to drought. We need to create an awareness to our communities on the need to start using water sparingly. A joint operating committee has been established to closely monitor the situation and to fully implement water restrictions as approved by council early this year,” said Shayi.
Shayi has commended the community of Dan village for supporting police work in the fight against crime, saying crime in communities undermine investor confidence, hence government has made it a priority to build safer communities.
“Dan was known as crime hotspot in our province, but young people have raised their hands in response to the Thuma Mina call and are now patrolling the streets in support of the police work in that area. Our community, particularly the most vulnerable groups – the women and children, feel safe in that area.
“We take our hats off to these young men and we extend an invitation to other communities to learn from Dan village as a case study. Our victory against crime will translate into improved investor confidence, and ultimately boost our efforts in fighting unemployment and poverty,” he said.
