Time has come to deliver
"The poor just want to have jobs and a better life, and instead of improving services, some people in power don't look further than their own objectives."
POLOKWANE – “The poor just want to have jobs and a better life, and instead of improving services, some people in power don’t look further than their own objectives.”
Polokwane Mayor Freddy Greaver called a spade a spade during his state of the city address on Tuesday, saying amid “those who have an obsession with power instead of attending to people who suffer”, the time has come to deliver.
Greaver quoted from After Freedom, The Rise of the Post-apartheid Generation in Democratic South Africa (Katherine S. Newman and Ariane De Lannoy), saying politics is a game of greed and corruption, which leaves indigent households without hope and services: “Their hope lies with us, their councillors”.
The budget of R2,28 billion has at its core the upliftment of indigent households.
A total of R122 million was earmarked for the provision of water in rural areas, while Greaver again committed to the promises made during the IDP/budget consultation process. Greaver stated the city has seen tremendous growth over the last decade, which placed huge pressure on infrastructure, like the provision of water.
Against normal usage, there is a 43Ml shortage of water in the city every day. Add to that around ten pipe bursts per day due to old infrastructure, and you have no choice but to plan and deliver, Greaver said.
He announced the municipality is in discussion with the department of water affairs to increase water delivery to the city from the Ebenezer plant, a year-long project costing R223 million, or from Olifantspoort which will take more than 30 months longer and cost around R1,2 billion. Investigations into alternative energy sources to supplement existing energy sources will be done, he said. Business owners in the city would welcome Greaver’s announcement that the moratorium on all business development will partly be lifted in the near future. In the meantime, the city’s new rates policy will be adopted during the next council meeting.
Greaver further announced the municipality would reclaim the street parking project and said all equipment will be transferred to the municipality. Assistance for registered indigent households will be increased to include 100kWh electricity per month, 6Kl water and no assessment rates to be paid where houses are valued at less than R100 000. Smart water meters to be rolled out in the city from the end of this year to bring an end to inaccurate readings, which result in a 30% unaccountable revenue loss for the municipality. Greaver further committed to making the city a sporting hub for cycling and running. Apart from an envisioned velodrome, a cycling event to and from Tzaneen was also in the planning phase.
The mayor handed over cheques to the city’s three gold medallists in the Comrades Marathon: Ludwig Mambolo, Rufus Photo and Martinique Potgieter.
DA councillor Frank Haas expressed praise for Greaver, saying the mayor focused mainly on “positive aspects”.
Haas said the key priority areas remained, however, old infrastructure and the upgrading thereof.
