[Speech]: The DA is looking forward to serving the residents of Ekurhuleni

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. Wendy Morgan, in response to Executive Mayor, Ald. Tania Campbell’s speech during the Ordinary Council Meeting, held on the 23rd February 2023.

Thank you,

Mr. Speaker.

Madam Mayor,

Whip of council,

Fellow councillors,

and residents of Ekurhuleni,

all protocols observed.

As we start this new year, I wish you all a safe and blessed year. May our focus be on improving the lives of the residents of Ekurhuleni, focusing on what is best for the residents.

Congratulations to all School learners who passed the year 2022 and remember that the choices you make now will affect the rest of your lives.

The MMC Khathutshelo Rasilingwane for Community Safety must be commended on the Safety programmes run by the departments during the Festive season contributing to the safety of the residents.

This week marked one month since the horrific explosion in Boksburg, our prayers and thoughts are with the families and friends of all who lost their lives in this tragic incident. To everyone who stepped up to assist, no matter how big or small, we salute your efforts. This shows what a wonderful and caring city we live in.

We commend the MMC for Finance, Cllr. Fanyana Nkosi, and the mayoral committee of the Multi-Party administration, for continuing with the “Back to Basics” programme and look forward to the adjustment budget which will align with the current climate and needs of the City which has been affected by the changing global economic climate and the negative impact of loadshedding.

We look forward to the first of the 47 IPPs that will contribute to improving the electricity supply to businesses and residents alike. The discussions between the City and Eskom to look at ways to protect and stabilize the electricity grid, are welcomed. Acts of criminality are rife and are causing huge losses to the City, businesses, and residents and need to be dealt with harshly.

Refuse collection in the City has had its ups and downs, however, we commend the hands-on approach of MMC for Environment and Waste Management Services, Cllr. Brandon Pretorius, the Department of Waste Management, and its sister departments for the plans that have been put in place to get refuse collection back on track, as well as the new vehicles that will soon be on the road following the passing of the adjustment budget, Today.

Congratulations to the ERWAT entity for implementing its turnaround strategy to ensure that Service delivery is achieved. This shows that when the best-qualified employees for the job are appointed that improvements can be made.

We look forward to the improvements to the Ekurhuleni Housing Company with the appointment of a new board to improve revenue collection and turn around the state of council-owned properties in our city. We can look forward to the turnaround of another entity focusing on the best interests of our Residents, under the watchful eye of MMC for Human Settlements, Cllr. Alco Ngobese.

We also look forward to improvements in Service delivery with the adjustment budget, especially for the departments of Energy and Waste. The Department of Roads has also been given a boost in its budget so that the backlog on pothole repairs can be addressed. Streetlights will also receive significant attention with the budget increase of R36,7 million to the Energy Department under the adjustment budget, Today.

This City has many dedicated and skilled officials, who if left to do the job they are employed to do, will contribute significantly toward improving this beautiful city by getting service delivery back on track.

We implore our officials to continue putting their efforts behind the Coalition to improve the state of our City. With hard work and dedication, our collective efforts can turn Ekurhuleni back into the thriving industrial hub once was.

Thank you, Madam Mayor, for making the time to visit departments on the ground to see what the challenges are and adjust the budget accordingly.

The Mayoral Committee in this Multi-party Coalition and the administrative officials must be commended for the Unqualified Clean Audit that the City has achieved from the Auditor General under very taxing times. We look forward to an even better outcome after this “Back to Basics” adjustment budget is passed.

As we move forward into 2023, I encourage the Mayor and the Multi-party Coalition as well as all councillors to work together and serve the Residents of Ekurhuleni.

Cllr. Wendy Morgan

DA Councillor in the City of Ekurhuleni

072 963 9675