The city’s residents will soon have a forum to address their concerns regarding service delivery and other municipal matters.

The establishment of the Nelspruit Residents and Ratepayers Association (NRRA), under the City of Mbombela’s (CoM) aegis, will create a platform with the main objective to represent the interests of its ratepayers and residents.

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The chairperson of the NRRA, Pr TJ Maré, said it would be a voluntary, non-political organisation, created on behalf of Mbombela residents and ratepayers, working to promote and protect members’ interests while maintaining close ties with local authorities and service providers. The association will hold these entities accountable, particularly regarding matters affecting Mbombela’s ratepayers and residents.

Maré said it was realised that no one in particular was acting on behalf of the residents at municipal level, while the businesses sector is well represented. The organisation has been legally and officially registered and will be submitting documentation to that effect to the municipality soon, in order for the CoM to know of the NRRA’s existence and its aim of looking after the interests of the community.

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“The current state of rates being raised to a minimum 40% while we have continued water, roads, electricity and waste removal problems, are not acceptable. We also know of a number of illegal student accommodations in town that come into play in business and private residential areas and are another challenge. The NRRA will question that,” he told Lowvelder.

“We want a better working city that would ensure that everyone is adhering to by-laws and that the municipality is properly addressing this. We want to tackle all these ongoing issues and make certain the town is well managed,” he said.

Maré lastly extended a warm invitation to all the Mbombela residents to join the NRRA by completing an online form at https://forms.gle/UuZQc2LDry1cGWpe9.

It is also available on the Facebook page Nelspruit Resident & Ratepayers Association.
He also invites all Mbombela residents to attend a meeting scheduled at Hoërskool Bergvlam on Tuesday April 25 at 17:30 for 18:00, but added there would be a desk at the front of the hall from 17:00 for any community members to write down any concerns they have.