Q&A: Ekurhuleni Mayor says city strives to deliver quality services

1. I am a pensioner who is a resident of Boksburg and I have a daughter at Sunward Park High school, who is in matric and she has decided to do medicine in 2018. What is the procedure in applying for a bursary? IT Lekeno, Boksburg.

Mayor Masina: Our bursary application process is as follows: Phase 1: Competitive bursary process (50% of allocated budget). Bursary window opens in July annually, closing on September 30, thereafter all applicants are sorted and interviews conducted in November/December. Final allocations and awards are done in January annually. Phase 2: Discretionary bursary process, executive mayor discretion. In January, all top achieving matriculants are automatically allocated full bursaries, and other applicants for various community backgrounds submit applications for financial assistance which is allocated at the executive mayor’s discretion. Phase 3: Discretional bursary process. In January, all councillors, members of the community and unfunded and deserving students are encouraged and recommended for financial assistance. The award is processed by the bursary committee and recommended to the city manager. I do hope that you find this in order and of assistance.

2. I stay opposite the Benoni Bowling Club, where it is only the bowling club that is being used, while the rest of the facilities, like the swimming pool, tennis court and netball areas, are ageing and not used. Why is the area left to be a dump, because we need to use it and also our kids need these facilities? Can we have a gym at least in that place to keep it working? Jabulani Thusini, Newlands Avenue.

Mayor Masina: Thanks Jabulani. The facility in Benoni does receive attention from the municipality on a regular basis. We have a club that has leased and maintains the bowling and tennis facilities. The swimming pool is still maintained and managed by the municipality. The reason there is no activity at the pool right now is because it is off-season in terms of swimming calendar. We have set our sights on erecting a fence around the whole sporting facility so that we can improve the safety of our citizens. I have instructed the sports department to visit the area and hopefully get in touch with the concerned citizen so that we can cover any loose ends.

3. I have a complaint against your office regarding the handling of our grants. I applied for a grant for my egg and farming business here in the East Rand. It was rejected with no reasons being offered. What really upsets and angers me is how your employees at the office treat and deal with applicants, as if they’re desperate idiots. Several times since the beginning of the year until this month, I contacted Anna Moloi at the office whom I was told is handling the grant application. Each time I spoke to her, she was rude and impatient when all I needed was clarity and further information about the whole process, specifically regarding the duration of it. Jabu James Motshwene

Mayor Masina: As a public institution, we continually strive to deliver quality service to the people of Ekurhuleni. On behalf of the city, I would like to apologise for the unacceptable service you received from the city staff. I have forwarded your complaint to the relevant officials and have requested they provide me with a detailed report on your application. In order for us to expedite the investigation of your application, please forward my office the name of your business and a copy of the application. The City of Ekurhuleni is committed to upholding the principles of batho pele – putting people first – in our daily conduct.

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