[Speech]: Multi-Party Coalition still Delivering beyond the Challenges of the Previous Year

Date: 27 February 2023

Release: Immediate

Type: Media Statement

Note: The following statement is a speech that was delivered by DA Councillor in Ekurhuleni, Cllr. Sally Nene, during the Extraordinary Council Meeting, held on the 23 February 2023.

Good Morning,

Executive Mayor,

Speaker of Council,

Whip of Council,

Members of the Mayoral Committee,

fellow Councillors,

City Manager,

All protocols observed.

We have indeed been through a challenging year, and with loadshedding becoming a permanent feature in our country, the rapid increase in inflation, decreases and increases in commodity prices, rising interest rates, record high food and fuel prices, and the mounting frustrations of residents due to years of infrastructure and fleet neglect, and the prediction of more frivolous motions and political instability, 2023 will not be any easier.

This is indeed a very difficult time to be in the governing seat.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel.

To help reduce the negative impact of loadshedding on our residents and businesses, the multi-party coalition has implemented pro-active measures to stabilize the grid, from appointing 57 IPPs over the last year to reduce our reliance on Eskom supply by 25% to meeting with Eskom to introduce measures to protect our electricity network from the devastating impact of loadshedding.

Let’s not forget about the march and court action from the DA nationally against the 18.65%, which subsequently resulted in the President changing his tune after his hands were tied.

We have established a task team to finally find a solution to the waste crisis and fleet issue in the city, an issue we’ve been championing in this council for several years, which landed on deaf ears from the then ANC government.

We will soon see a dramatic turnaround in waste management services with the purchase of new trucks after this adjustment budget has been passed, as well as the prioritisation of energy infrastructure… the fixing of potholes to the value of R20m in addition to the already budgeted R335m. and the reassignment of critical finances to resource-strained departments.

The coalition is confident of ensuring a reliable and expanded electricity supply well before the end of this political term, if given the chance to do so without disruptions of frivolous motions of no confidence. It recently appointed 47 Private Power Producers to build and sell electricity directly to the city from 2024 onwards. To finance the replacement and expansion of backbone infrastructure at a rate of at least 10km of cables per year, the City has committed to a 40% increase in capital expenditure in the next financial year and an average of 12% thereafter.

Our next target will be to improve the collection rate at our Council-owned properties. We can finally start the process of appointing a new board to get rid of the ANC rot that has plagued this entity.

ERWAT is a good example of when you appoint competent officials, you will continue to see outstanding results and financial performance. Congratulations to the HOD and the team involved, we are proud of your efforts.

While Ekurhuleni’s multi-party coalition is fully aware of the challenges and the mammoth task ahead, this administration is working hard to build a capable, honest administration that can take the metro forward. In doing so, the coalition is showing the nation that a multi-party national governing coalition is a realistic and hopeful option for South Africa post-2024.

The rapid growth of the city’s forced urbanization has the potential implication of over-population, which directly affects the city’s ability to plan, budget, and deliver services to its citizens. Moreover, the competition for over-stretched resources and rolling blackouts by Eskom could have unpalatable social and economic implications for citizens, its institutions, and its ability to respond timeously and adequately.

Another point of concern is that most of the nine towns within the jurisdiction of the city are to some extent characterized by urban decay and deterioration of the physical environment. Moreover, the disturbing phenomenon of buildings in the inner town or cities being “hijacked” and operated by criminal characters is a grievous obstacle to attracting investors. Ekurhuleni loses millions in revenue as a ramification of illegal occupation and misuse of municipal infrastructure by consumers who do not pay for services and threaten contractors and Technicians all the time. It is very disingenuous to blame this administration for challenges about service delivery that have been there for almost 3 decades. It’s time to put party politics aside and produce progressive strategies to move this place of peace to greater heights.

We have a point to prove today as the Coalition, last year we were accused of achieving a clean audit on the backs of the ANC-led administration. Now today, I would like to congratulate the coalition for achieving an unqualified clean audit despite the challenges of the previous year.

Cllr. Sally Nene

DA Councillor in the City of Ekurhuleni

073 058 842