Tshwane mayor’s SOCA charts ‘bold path’ for future
Key achievements include R4-billion reduction in the metro’s debtors’ book and R1-billion cut in Eskom debt.
Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya delivered her first State of the Capital Address (SOCA) on Thursday, April 10.
Moya struck a tone of unity and urgency as she reflected on the metro’s challenges, highlighted progress, and announced new plans to build a “capital we can all be proud of”.
“This is our capital. Our pride,” Mayor Moya declared, positioning the metro’s four million residents at the heart of her administration’s agenda.
“We can make real and lasting progress, but only if we work together.”
We are strengthening governance, investing in our staff and holding ourselves accountable to the residents we serve. #TshwneSoCA @CityTshwane pic.twitter.com/SPOIHM8ebH
— Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) April 10, 2025
#TshwaneSoCA2025 in pictures.#OurCapitalOurPride pic.twitter.com/I43XWEOiRQ
— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) April 10, 2025
Today, we have reflected not only on the challenges facing our City – but also on the real progress we are making together.
We are restoring financial stability through responsible budgeting and improved revenue collection. #TshwaneSoCA2025 #OurCapitalOurPride
— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) April 10, 2025
A central highlight of her address was the metro’s improving financial outlook. Moya stated that Tshwane’s cash reserves are projected to reach R2.86-billion in the 2025/26 financial year, with liquidity coverage days improving from 23 to 43.
“Our finances are more stable today than they have been in a long time,” she said. Key achievements she pointed to included R4- billion and R1-billion reduction in the metro’s debtor’s book and Eskom debt respectively.
She said a targeted Debt Relief Scheme has been extended to support struggling residents and businesses.
On economic revitalisation, Moya laid out plans to grow Tshwane’s economy by 3.9% by 2029, driven by a strategy focused on investment attraction and business support. It will also aim to unlock the value of metro-owned assets such as the Pretoria West and Rooiwal power stations and Wonderboom Airport.
She stressed that small and township businesses are vital to reducing unemployment and announced new support centres in Refilwe and Ga-Rankuwa. She said major power infrastructure upgrades, including Kwagga, IA, and Wapadrand substations, are underway.
However, not all parties were convinced.
The DA in Tshwane, as the official opposition party, led by Cilliers Brink, said the speech was long on promises but short on results.
Brink said it’s time for the mayor to outline her agenda, instead of taking credit for the work of the DA-led coalition in which Moya served as deputy mayor. He said the mayor spoke about more money in the metro’s coffers because residents are paying their bills in higher numbers.
“This is the result of aggressive credit collection initiated under Tshwane ya Tima and other changes made under the DA-led coalition. But instead of thanking residents by delivering better services, the mayor and her ANC-EFF-ActionSA coalition are delivering worse services for which she wants to charge higher bills,” said Brink.
Freedom Front Plus spokesperson Peter Meijer said the mayor didn’t say a lot that is new.
“It is mentioned that we have an unemployment rate of 37%, and you can only decrease unemployment by creating an environment of economic development. A lot has been said, but nothing has been done. It’s easy to say it, but doing it is a different thing,” said Meijer.
He said service delivery has worsened in recent months.
“We still have a problem of potholes, streetlights are still a problem, and the electricity network is going down. Their Economic Revitalisation Strategy of reaching 3.9% economic growth by 2030 looks good on paper, but I wonder how they are going to achieve it.”
In contrast, the ANC councillor Joel Masisela said Moya has shown that when political parties work together, residents can be put first.
“We fully support the prioritisation of infrastructure development, youth empowerment, and economic revitalisation.”
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