Ekurhuleni to allocate R12bn of procurement opportunities to locals

1. I am a rate-paying resident of Alberton, residing in Newmarket, and have noted a pattern where the city council subjects me and other residents in the complex to final demands for payment of accounts by the 25th of each month.

Should payment not be made by the 25th of the month , a FINAL DEMAND with a late payment fee is raised on the 26th. My attempts to have the matter resolved via the council accounts department and the relevant councillor for the area have not been successful.

This has been happening for more than a year and our complaints have not been heard.

Please note: The practice is unfair, discriminatory and unjust. Standard practice is to require payment by the 1st of each month with a seven-day grace period.

I note other councils within Johannesburg or Ekurhuleni don’t follow the same practice of requiring payment on the 25th. For example, Edenvale ratepayers are not subjected to same payment requirements dates as Alberton. Not all residents get paid on the 25th so they can’t meet such a proviso. Brian Sibanda, Alberton

Mayor Masina: The current administration is working tirelessly to ensure we have a seamless modus operandi with respect to service delivery.

The billing system is also another aspect that must be adjusted accordingly. However, we must also take into account the municipality’s accounting system.  Through citizens’ contributions, we can improve, and more importantly ensure, that we do away with the “nine towns of Ekurhuleni” narrative.

2. I am one of those who don’t qualify for a bond (loan) house or an RDP house. All I’m asking for is a piece of a stand with electricity and running water where I can build myself a house. Can you help? Albert Makubata, Thokoza

Mayor Masina: The City of Ekurhuleni has embarked on Mega Projects, which is a comprehensive housing delivery strategy. It involves the delivery of fully subsidised units targeting the poorest of the poor.

It includes the Finance Linked Subsidy Programme for people whose income is above the threshold for an RDP house, but below qualification for a housing bond. This is what we call the missing-middle.

Our housing delivery strategy also includes social housing units for middle-income earners looking for rental stock and bonded units. Moreover, we have made land available for people with the economic means to build their own houses.

We will provide core services like sanitation and water infrastructure on these stands so individuals only finance the building of top structures. Leeuwport housing project is one of the examples.

Many people are in that quagmire. Get in touch with our human settlements department as the city intends to develop areas where land is available.

3. Since it was #YouthMonth in June, what initiatives were there to engage young entrepreneurs in the metro to stimulate jobs and grow SMEs around the city? Sakhile Sohaba, Vosloorus

Mayor Masina: I am proud to announce that the city has resolved to allocate R12 billion of procurement opportunities to local entrepreneurs, service providers and enterprises over the medium-term-revenue-and-expenditure-framework.

Of this, an allocation of R3.5 billion has been made available in the 2017-18 financial year.

This includes, among others:

• R1 billion (per annum) to go to 2 000 youth-owned enterprises;
• R500 million (per annum) on 100 emerging construction companies;
• R500 million for black industrialists;
• R500 million for community trade in service;
• R112 million for community-based planning;

The Mintirho ya Vulavula Community Empowerment Programme will help local companies owned by women, young people and those with disabilities.

NEXT WEEK: Herman Mashaba, mayor of Johannesburg, responds to your questions.