After many talks, community and council meetings Randfontein and Westonaria have officially merged to initiate the first steps in making a West Rand metropolitan municipality.
The two towns will now be called the Rand West City Local Municipality which is categorised as a category B local municipality. The merger took effect on 3 August, the date of the local government elections.
The merger is nothing new as it was confirmed by Paul Mashatile, Gauteng MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements in February, 2015.
The merger has also been on the cards with the Vision 2016 and Beyond Campaign. It has been said that the Vision 2020 is to include the merging of Mogale City Local Municipality, Rand West and Merafong Local Municipalities.
Rand West now has a total of 35 wards which 69 councillors will man. According to Tshidiso Tlharipe from the Rand West City Local Municipality, a new council will convene on 10 August.
The aim of the merger is to support the global city region initiative; addressing Apartheid Era fragmentation of municipalities; to standardise service delivery; and support the millennium development goals.
In terms of the economics, the merger has been put in place to grow the town’s revenue base. It is believed that the merger will result in an increase in the town’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as well as its Human Development Index (HDI).
However, the costs of the merger for its community has yet to be made clear.
It is further believed that the merger will improve the town’s standing in the investment and financing sector as it is a larger entity with the ability to raise capital easier than a smaller one.
The two towns have had issues with service delivery even before the merger and the merger is said to be able to address those issues which has yet to be proven.
Alderman Mpho Nawa, former Executive Mayor of the West Rand District Municipality said the transition process is expected to continue for several months after the official date of the merger as much work needs to be done and the municipality urges stakeholders to support efforts to merge the two entities.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
Also read:Â
Randfontein and Westonaria to become one municipality
R’fontein – W’aria to merge regardless of metro
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