New Govan Mbeki Municipal mayor acknowledges Council is facing various challenges
Ms Thandi Ngxonono is sworn in as the new mayor after Ms Flora Maboa-Boltman’s resignation
HIGHVELD – Ms Thandi Ngxonono was sworn in as the new executive mayor of Govan Mbeki Municipality on Monday, 13 March.
She took the oath of office at the council chambers alongside her newly appointed mayoral committee members who were also sworn in.
Ms Ngxonono replaced Ms Flora Maboa-Boltman who resigned on 5 March after the ANC had recalled her.
The new executive mayor was sworn in by Ms Betty Lusifi, chief magistrate from Secunda Magistrate’s Court, in the presence of Mr Nhlakanipho Zuma, Speaker, Mr Thisha Mhlanga, the acting municipal manager, and other municipal officials.
Ms Ngxonono said she felt humbled by the appointment and that she understood that there is a huge task lying ahead of her that she needs to fulfil.
Her priority will be to engage with various stakeholders to try to resuscitate their relationship.
“We will meet with various stakeholders, including religious leaders, traditional leaders and business people.
“Without good relationships, our stakeholders will not be able to achieve our vision to advance this municipality.
“I am also aware that our municipality is currently facing various challenges, however we are calling on our people to be patient with us as we are working round the clock to come up with permanent solutions to our problems.
“I apologise to our people for the recent water interruptions in eMbalenhle, but our team was hard at work to ensure that water was restored in no time.
“I am aware that there are delays in the collection of refuse. We all know there was a protest in eMbalenhle recently and we lost most of our fleet to fire during the riots, however we will try our best to ensure that waste is collected more often with the little resources that we have.
Regarding the municipality’s Eskom and Rand Water debts, Ms Ngxonono said the municipality will continue to service its debts.
“We are pleading with our people to be patient with us, because we have good plans (in store) to bring back stability in the municipality.
“It will not be overnight and we will need for people to pay for services to ensure that everything goes well.”
“We are outsourcing funds, because we want to upgrade our electricity substations to address the electricity issue.”
Ms Ngxonono is a former teacher from KI Twala Secondary School and MMC for Planning and Development and Finance.
She believes the experience that she has gained over the years will benefit her.
Mr Zuma and Ms Lusufi congratulated Ms Ngxonono and reminded her to always put the people first.
Ms Betty Ndaba was sworn in as the MMC for Cooperative Services, Mr Daniel Nhlapho as the MMC for Technical Services, Mr Sakhile Mahlangu as the MMC for Special Projects and Ms Ethel Nkosi as the MMC for Planning and Development.
Mr Nhlapho apologised that Mr Anthony Makhaye could not be sworn in on Monday because of bereavement and said a private session will be arranged for him to be sworn in.
