uThukela takes the budget to the people

uThukela District Mayor Dudu Mazibuko and her team of councillors and senior officials recently kick-started successful public consultation roadshows.

The IDP/Budget 2016/17 roadshows are an annual event in which the mayor visits all local municipalities and tables the budget to the community. Community consultation roadshows took place from April 24 to May 5 across all five local municipalities.

Two roadshows were conducted in each municipality per day respectively.

The purpose of these consultations was to ensure that all interested and affected stakeholders make comments and input regarding the budget review.

Mayor Mazibuko therefore invited all members of the public to be the part of the review process for the 2016/17 financial year, which included Traditional Leaders, Ward Committees, Community Development Workers, Community Care Givers, NGOs, Sector Departments, organised business, ratepayers and farmers associations.

The budget timetable and IDP Process Plan, which was approved by council in August 2015, ensured that the said process was highly interactive and consultative in nature.

uThukela District Municipality has also ensured that during the revision of the IDP, a series of the public meetings, as well as Representative Forum Meetings, take place. These meetings are of paramount importance, as the IDP should represent the interests of all role players.

Inputs from all stakeholders were factored into both the operational and capital budget, and the budget is also aligned with national and provincial priorities.

In these roadshows, the mayor informed the community that all citizens will have access to adequate, safe water and hygienic sanitation, and an upgrade to existing water and sanitation infrastructure across the district.

The devastating effect of the drought that has persisted in our district has required restrictions on the supply of water. Interventions such as transporting water by water tankers have been employed.

The municipality will continue to provide water tankers at a budgeted cost of R10 million. A further R6.5 million will be spent on refurbishing boreholes.

The community is urged to use water sparingly during this crisis.

Tariff-setting is a pivotal and strategic part of the compilation of any budget. When tariffs and other charges were revised, local economic conditions, input costs and the affordability of services were taken into account to ensure the financial sustainability of the municipality.

The tariffs for the year 2016/17 have been increased by 6%. Households that are poor or face other circumstances that limit their ability to pay for services are encouraged to apply for indigent support.

Indigent households are given the first 6kl of water free of charge. The ‘indigence’ of households is reviewed on a yearly basis, therefore applications must be done every financial year.

The municipality is poised for steady economic growth from several major upcoming projects and creating jobs through major projects such as: Bhekuzulu-Ephangwini community water supply, Ntabamhlophe CWSS (13), Emoyeni Zwelisha Mechanical and electrical upgrade at Imbabazane, KwaNobamba Ezitendeni (Weenen) Water Supply Project, Mimosadale, Wembezi WCD bulk upgrade at uMtshezi, Ezakheni WCD and Indaka Boreholes.

The 2016/17 IDP is a continuation of the work started by the democratic government to ensure that our people are involved in the governance of their municipalities.

In the sphere of government closest to the people, municipalities have a particular responsibility in achieving delivery of free basic services, clean water, viable communities, improving all public services, building infrastructure, creating job opportunities and fighting poverty.

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