As Executive Mayor Alderman Nkosindiphile Xhakaza reflected on his first year in office, delivering a confident and ambitious progress report, residents in Alberton offered a sobering counter-narrative.
In his address titled, ‘Building a responsive city’, the mayor painted a picture of a city recovering from institutional instability and turning a corner toward accountability, infrastructure renewal, and financial reform.
“Over the past year, we’ve demonstrated that we are serious about service delivery and equally serious about accountability,” Xhakaza said, touting progress in waste management, road repairs, water infrastructure, and energy rollouts.
He highlighted initiatives such as the Mayoral Service Delivery War Room, which he claimed “dramatically improved response times,” the launch of the Khanyisa Mhlali electrification campaign, and investment deals expected to inject over R9.6b into the city’s economy.
However, the reality on the ground in parts of Ekurhuleni, particularly in Alberton, appears to be far removed from the mayor’s upbeat assessment.
A community left out
In stark contrast to the mayor’s remarks, residents in Alberton describe a municipality that has continued to fall short in almost every fundamental service.
“Potholes that have plagued our neighbourhood for over a decade remain untouched. The city claims to have launched programmes, but we see none of it here,” said Zintle Dlamini of Alberton North.
Illegal dumping sites have multiplied across the community, often within metres of primary schools and parks, creating health hazards and drawing vermin.
Waste collection delays are a near-weekly occurrence, while traffic lights at major intersections malfunction for weeks at a time, posing risks to motorists and pedestrians alike.
Local enforcement is also in the spotlight, with the EMPD being accused of dereliction of duty in several instances, from unresponsive officers to a failure to address traffic violations and illegal vendors blocking pedestrian access.
Maintenance of local parks, once a source of pride for the community, has also declined sharply. Overgrown grass, broken equipment, and lack of security have made them inaccessible and unsafe.
Multiple sister publications of the Alberton Record in the region have corroborated these observations, publishing exposés on similar failings in other areas within the municipality.
Looking ahead
While the mayor’s report paints a picture of a city in recovery, bolstered by job-creating investments, a cleaner financial record, and infrastructure improvements, residents in Alberton and similar communities are yet to feel these changes.
Until on-the-ground realities begin to reflect the high-level promises, the disconnect between leadership and the lived experience of ordinary citizens may continue to deepen.
As the second year of Xhakaza’s term begins, eyes remain on Ekurhuleni’s leadership not for speeches, but for action.
