The executive mayor of the J.B. Marks Municipality, Cllr. Gaba Ka Qhele and various MMC’s, highlighted and discussed key areas of concern that was raised at a public participation meeting on Thursday, 5 May at the Madiba Banquet Hall.
The meeting formed part of the Mayoral Imbizo road show where the community at large can publicly discuss burning matters in the municipality.
This meeting focused on wards 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 15, 22, 23, 24, and 25. The most prominent issues raised included the fixing and upkeep of infrastructure (pot holes, sewage blockages, lack of lighting in neighbourhoods), the economical upliftment of the youth, financial investment in Potchefstroom and illegal dumping amongst a range of other concerns.
Photos: Wouter Pienaar
“How do we get investors to invest in Potchefstroom, with the number of potholes near entrances to Potch as well as the city centre,” asked one of the residents, Corniël Calitz.
In response, the MMC of infrastructure, Cllr. Gerald Modise, stated that the municipality has appointed contractors to fix potholes as well as to attend to damaged street lights this month. He also added that there are challenges regarding the age of the infrastructure which play a role in the current to sewage problems. There are also plans to remedy this long term problem.
The mayor mentioned the importance of open communication to the public and the importance of regaining the trust of the public for the next five years. He also presented feedback after listening to the queries from residents on the floor.
“As a municipality we have to be accessible to the public. This is one of the reasons for hosting this imbizo so that we can listen and attend to these challenges in J.B. Marks. We need to uplift our communities in the borders of J.B. Marks. The setting up of mayoral programs and identification of green spaces and the maintenance of these spaces will form part of our core business,” stated Cllr. Ka Qhele.
Video: Wouter Pienaar
Qa Khele also reiterated the importance of correcting supply chain management within the municipality where processes need to be followed with due diligence.
“We have a budget close to 2 billion. Issues are being recorded officially during these meetings with various communities and stakeholders in order to ensure that funds will be allocated accordingly when the budget is adopted on 31 May. If these issues are not attended to in this financial year then we will make sure to prioritise it in the next coming financial years,” emphasised Ka Qhele.
