West Rand Mayor bids farewell

• West Rand District Mayor, Mpho Nawa writes:

Dear people of the West Rand, the local government election of 2016 is only weeks away! For me, personally, this signifies the end of my term of office as district mayor and I wish to thank the communities of the West Rand for giving me the opportunity to serve and to lead.

Reflecting on the 16 years since I became a councillor in Randfontein, I wish to quote the writer James Baldwin, who said, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

It has been a rewarding experience – indeed a rare opportunity – to serve the ordinary people. I shall always hold the West Rand in my head and in my heart.

The five years since the 2011 election have been remarkable in many respects. Almost 9 000 houses have been built across the region; education on the West Rand has achieved the best matric results in South Africa; water is of the best Blue Drop quality throughout; the number of HIV/Aids affected community members is decreasing with the roll-out of ARVs in 44 clinics; hundreds of youths have been employed directly through government programmes; and agriparks have been launched with a view to promoting the agricultural potential of the district, all this while we maintain the highest standards of fire, rescue and disaster management.

The implementation of neighbourhood development projects has brought paved sidewalks to Mohlakeng and Toekomsrus. The Western Corridor is a place where we ensure the efficient utilisation of land for industrial, agricultural, residential and commercial uses. We have also embarked on increasing the mobility of communities through regional transport plans.

Under my watch we have made clear pronouncements and launched programmes against xenophobia, racism and destruction of property.

We have supported faith-based organisations, people with disabilities, women, the elderly and the youth. These are some of the achievements that allow me to look back with pride.

We had hoped that this term of office would have brought us closer to the ideal of becoming a West Rand Metro. The vision has been consolidated and will be implemented in the years to follow. The first step has been taken with the merger of Randfontein and Westonaria into a single municipality named Rand West City, as from August 3, 2016.

Substantial cost saving, social cohesion, uniformity of standards and resources, enhancing the investment potential and economic growth, and better service delivery are some of the goals of this amalgamation.

As we move forward, it is my hope that all communities will support the District Mayor-elect with the loyalty, cooperation and support which I have appreciated from all sectors. Only by working together can we achieve our Vision for the West Rand – a vision of a united, prosperous and sustainable region. Consider your vote carefully – the future is in your hands!

Very importantly – I urge you to be aware of the scourge of vandalism and destruction of property that causes more hardship and lack of community resources. Please report such occurrences with photo evidence if possible. Our responsibility is to protect our assets and manage disappointment and anger with maturity and within the framework of the law.

Let us continue to build a non-racist, non-sexist and prosperous West Rand in which we all enjoy the better life we wish for!