Big developments for Springs, says mayor
The mayor also gave highlights for the past 20 years during his State of the City Address.
Springs is going to benefit greatly from the train manufacturing plant to be erected in Dunnotar.
This was one of the topics Mondli Gungubele, Ekurhuleni metro’s mayor touched on when he delivered his yearly State of the City speech last Wednesday in Germiston.
He said it was an “immense pride” for the metro to be chosen as the host of this R51-billion Prasa-Gibela train manufacturing plant.
The sod turning ceremony is planned for April.
The plant will be fully operational in three years.
This project is expected to create 8 300 direct sustanable jobs and a further 22 000 indirectly during the 15 year contract.
Gungubele also said small businesses would benefit and be empowered through the supplier park development programme, which will be established as part of the investment package.
“We have a good story to tell,” was the theme of Gungubele’s state of the city speech.
He gave highlights on the 20 years of ANC governance, saying regardless of challenges which were due to an in-migration into the metro an above average population growth in Ekurhuleni over the period.
“This indicates that we remain an attractive and preferred destination for people to live, work, play and trade.”
Gungubele named several metro achievements, as well as initiatives to re-industrialise, re-generate and re-govern Ekurhuleni.
On service delivery he said ordinary Ekurhuleni residents on a daily basis testified through their everyday activities to the improvements affecting their lives.
With a mock conversation between a white man and black girl he proved the point that service delivery was indeed a good story to tell for all residents of the metro.
He mentioned, amongst others, the establishment of world class facilities residents enjoy in the metro, better electricity infrastructure, better roads, the 82 000 houses built in Ekurhuleni since 1994, the establishment of Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department, high mast lighting and solar lighting.
He concluded saying: “During the first 20 years of our democracy, we have sought to reverse the legacy of 300 years of race-based discrimination and development. Our task is not yet done.”
* Read the unabridged speech here
