Afzul Rehman – Where to in 2015 for our mayor and municipality

This week we asked Mayor of Newcastle, Afzul Rehman, a few questions about his plans for 2015, and where he wants to take the Newcastle Municipality next year.

Controversy and success have intermingled with strikes and award ceremonies for Cllr Rehman this year. During the question and answer session, Cllr Rehman reflected on the good and the bad of 2014, and turned a keen eye to the new year.

What are the biggest plans for you and the Newcastle Municipality in 2015?

Cllr Rehman: 2015 is certainly going to be an exciting year. It’s the last full year before local government elections and therefore the last full year of my term. 2015 should begin with an intensive Executive Committee and Management Committee strategy planning session, adjusting our current budgets and coming up with a very intensive service delivery budget. The budget, which will see us to the end of term and elections will be speaking directly to the needs of the people, therefore seeing another burst of infrastructure development in our city. We will also be implementing new water meters in Newcastle west and restructuring our debt collection, so we are hoping more monies will be coming in from people who can afford to pay us and are not currently paying.

This year has been a roller coaster ride, with opposition parties attempting to pass votes of no confidence in you as mayor. Looking back, how would you describe the year?

Cllr Rehman: It definitely was a tough year. The attempts at passing votes of no confidence has done nothing to enhance the stability of council. That does not augur well for business and investors looking into expanding within our city, let alone the performance of the municipality in delivering its mandate. Remember, even some municipal officials use these vacuums to play politics and shirk their responsibility of doing the actual work. We simply cannot afford to reduce our pace of delivering services, more especially after such a period of growth and success.

Some valuable lessons have been learned and new developments put into play. What were the best achievements for the municipality in 2014?

Cllr Rehman: Our housing projects are now off the ground, after tough and tense debates with provincial departments, and some beautiful homes are being built in oSizweni Section E and Emowzini. Other projects are busy with infrastructure such as sewerage, water and cc before the actual building of houses will commence early in 2015. We have almost covered all areas of this city with electricity and providing electricity to the residents of Amajuba Forest is one that is close to my heart. It is one of the deepest rural areas and will see water provision as well. Our municipal building is on track for completion in 2015, and this is another exciting venture for the city.

The new Allen Street extension and bridge is something to look forward to. I personally discussed the aesthetic designs of the bridge with the consultants, as I want to see a bridge similar to the Nelson Mandela bridge in Johannesburg, complete with multi-colour LED lights. This bridge is at the entrance of our city and should make an impression.

Success is not complete without failure. In 2014, what were some of the most negative things in your view?

Cllr Rehman: The failure of Council to unite around issues is a concern and definitely something I would be putting my energy into in the new year, even though our EXCO is quite united and focused. The swimming pool in Madadeni is wrought with challenges, but we have now seen it filled with water and we are hoping to open it this year. It has been a learning experience for us, as it is the first of its kind built under our administration.

A lot of rumours surround your current position within the ANC and in fact as the Mayor of Newcastle. Are you planning on leaving anytime soon?

Cllr Rehman: No I am not. Rumors will always abound, more especially by people who enjoy gossiping. Yes, it is true that my position within the ANC has changed, I am no longer the Regional treasurer or part of the Executive, and that will have a certain dynamic and shift on how the city is run, but we have always run this city on the policies, principles and guidelines of the ANC and the new leadership will simply enhance this. The ANC has a unique style of operating, and one thing to bear in mind is that staggered elections mean that the provincial leadership is still in place until 2016. As mayors are deployed directly by province, this also gives more stability to municipalities where leadership changes occur.

Where to in 2015 for Afzul Rehman and the Newcastle Municipality?

Cllr Rehman: My intention is to start wrapping up my program in the final year of my term. I have started a very robust budget reformation process and that must continue for many years to come. However projects that were promised to communities should be finalised and delivered to residents to enjoy. Personally I am in a good space, with slightly less work on my plate, my municipality running quite smoothly with very little fires that require me to act to put out and less responsibility within the ANC. I intend to spend more time with my family and loved ones. I suppose it will be the quiet before the storm as we enter 2016 with local government elections.

Do you have a question for Cllr Rehman? Submit your questions under our ‘Ask the Mayor‘ tab.