In February, the trending hashtag was #SONA. On Tuesday night, however, residents turned their attention to the State of the Town address, delivered by Mayor, Afzul Rehman in what may well be his last budget address.
“For those of you who are expecting nothing less than just a proud recitation of the accomplishments of my administration, I say we’re not finished yet!”
In his eighth year reporting on the state of Newcastle’s finances, Cllr Rehman split the focus between what was in store for 2016/2017, and on the future. He said there could be no slowing, until things which mattered to residents came to be.
“The vision of our municipality is ‘by 2030, Newcastle Municipality will be a sustainable, economically vibrant city that affords its citizens a high quality of life’.”
Cllr Rehman added that, on the cusp of Local Government Elections, councillors took a few steps back to measure progress against promises made when elected.
He then recapped on changing times since his first term as Mayor, in 2009. “But we have emerged, through some seriously challenging bottlenecks, ‘working smarter, harder and faster’ with a whopping operational spend of approximately R6,7-billion and a capital infrastructure investment of more than R2-billion.”
This year’s operational budget was consolidated at just over R1,7- billion. “Our capital budget (consolidated) to R238-million. Even with this relatively conservative budget, we have tasked our departments to further effect a five per cent cut on operational expenses, to create a higher cash flow surplus that will enable us to buffer the storm.”
What you can expect this financial year An increase of seven per cent on rates, sewer and refuse was maintained by the municipality, and the NERSA (National Energy Regulator) approved 9,4 per cent electricity hike was passed onto consumers. The municipality continues to provide prepaid meters, at subsidised costs.
Roads and stormwater R89-million was budgeted for new roads and sidewalks this financial period. The Asiphephe Road will be upgraded to the tune of R10-million. The completion of the Nek Road at a cost of R3,5-million should connect Charlestown better, while Kwamatukuza is the site of a new R1,3-million route. Watt Street in Industria will receive a R1,9- million boost.
Cllr Rehman also committed the municipality to roads linking Johnston, Blaauwbosch and Cavan with oSizweni, and roads in the latter and Madadeni. “R5,4-million will see more urban hub walkways being built in the townships, allowing people to walk and cycle in safety.”
In terms of sewage, the Stafford Hill pump station enters its second phase at R2,8-million, and the Madadeni Waste Water Treatment Works get a R9-million injection. Another R40-million is set to be spent on the thriving township of Madadeni.
R10-million has been earmarked for the Ingagane Works, and another R15-million will be utilised to replace ageing asbestos cement pipes. “We continue to go house-to house with our Water Conservation and Demand Management project in oSizweni, replacing old cisterns and repairing leaking taps and pipes to the tune of R13,6- million.”
Electricity Cllr Rehman mentioned the R5- million budgeted for conversion of street lights to LED, and R8,5- million will be used to electrify more suburbs. Community Services The two new community halls in Charlestown and at JBC will be fully-furnished and ready for use by the mid-year, and R300 000 is set aside for generators at the Madadeni and oSizweni halls.
Two new playparks are expected this year, and three existing parks will be upgraded. Cllr Rehman expressed pride at the municipality now owning 18 new tractors, 90 brush cutters and 30 self-propelled mowers. Staff in the department has also more than doubled.
“Because of these advancements, we have managed to keep our verges neat in Newcastle, and for years now, we have extended our services to Madadeni, oSizweni, Ingagane, Kilbarchan and Charlestown.”
A cemetery grasscutting team was also established in response to recent complaints. Land and housing Cllr Rehman said he was proud of the giant leaps the municipality had made, regarding housing projects in and around Newcastle.
The Kwamathukuza housing project, he added, was rebuilt, roads tarred and trees planted. In oSizweni Section E, two additional projects were under way, with the Development Planning and Human Settlements Department working on projects of an estimated R1,4-billion. Siyahlala and H39 should also boast new structures before the financial year ends.
“In Madadeni, we have now completed 2 300 homes which were damaged by storms. In oSizweni and other parts, the province has approved a project that will see houses with dangerous asbestos roofing being removed.”
Rural development Restoring dignity formed a large part of rural development within the municipality. Cllr Rehman highlighted establishing of clean water supply to residents who were once forced to share troughs with animals.
A borehole and distribution project has helped Charlestown become water-independent. Youth, job creation and poverty alleviation Cllr Rehman opened with a stern condemning of people who burn down educational facilities, in light of incidents at Majuba TVET College.
He called the burning of classrooms in Madadeni a sad day for Newcastle. “I appeal to these young men and women to always place negotiations and compromise above violence and destruction.”
Calling the municipality’s relations with the college strong, Cllr Rehman noted 1 730 students registered at the various campuses through his office thus far. Youth development was listed high on the Mayor’s list of priorities.
He also called on the new term of office to form a youth council, given the responsibility of guiding and assisting the formation of policies governing youth. Cllr Rehman made mention too, of R2,5-million set aside for Expanded Public Works Programme contracts.
Moving onto the less positive, he said council acknowledged the challenges and shortfalls of the Alive After 5 festival, but was adamant the project would succeed with adequate planning and consultation. “This is a concept we believe in, and a concept we will try to implement again this year.
“We invite stakeholders to come on board, advise and assist us.”
Information technology
The Provincial Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs has identified Newcastle as one of the key strategic areas for deployment of free WiFi.
At present, strategic zones are being considered for WiFi zones. Moving further towards a smarter city, Newcastle Municipality was working towards a Municipal Area Network and a voice cloud, to improve service delivery and turnaround times for complaints, while smoothing the efficiency of municipal systems.
“The return on investment will be realised in as early as nine months of implementation.” The controversial civic tower block has completed its second phase, Cllr Rehman continued, and all construction on site had been suspended.
In addition, the building will be in use before the end of June. Theming his budget ‘reaping the fruits of our labour’, Cllr Rehman also invited the business sector to back a project to plant fruit trees, to fight soil erosion and provide shade, as well as nutrition to youngsters walking the streets.
In conclusion Thanking God foremost for steering him along this path, Cllr Rehman then offered his congratulations and appreciation to all who had supported eight years in office.
On May 18, he completes a fourth term and 20 years in service to the municipality. “I want to thank my parents and my siblings for steering me into this life of public service.
“You have all been pillars of strength to me.” Noting both the good and the bad of leading his town, Cllr Rehman thanked the ANC and his wife, Farhana, his children and his family, for accepting the brunt of decisions he had made.
“I know that you have not chosen to be politicians, yet you still pay the price for this because of me.”
However, Cllr Rehman stood by the knowledge of many residents’ support. “I take this opportunity to thank them for their unwavering confidence and for being a source of inspiration to me forever.”
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