HIGHVELD – “The Govan Mbeki Municipality is facing some daunting challenges which should be tackled head-on this year.”
These sentiments were shared by Ms Thandi Ngxonono, executive mayor, during the council meeting on Thursday, 29 August.
The mayor said her administration has a huge responsibility to improve service delivery.
“The leadership must use everything in its power in order to find a way to deal with the service delivery problems faced by the municipality,” she said.
“It is time to increase the efforts and to have a dialogue between council and residents so that the link between key role players is strengthened.
“This will enhance efficient and effective governance.
“Given our commitment to use dialogue in improving council’s image, it is crucial for councillors to regularly convene in Ward committee meetings and monthly Ward meetings, not as a matter of choice, but as an order with which to comply.
“It is evident that the Batho-Pele Principles are fundamental cornerstones that bring local government closer to the people it aims to service.
“We urge all councillors to keep up with this fundamental principle to ensure the quality of public services and access to information improves.”
Ms Ngxonono did not specify to which challenges she refers.
However, she said “these challenges” will only be defeated if they work together as a team and not against each other.
She believes that Mr Felani Mndebele, municipal manager, has now adapted and that he is ready to implement his turnaround strategy to return GMM to its former glory.
She called on everyone to support him.
Ms Ngxonono also called on all municipal employees to put more effort into their tasks.
She said they should change the way they do things.
“It cannot be business as usual.
“In order for this municipality to be one of the best in the province and the whole country, we need to change our attitude towards our work.
“It cannot be right for Mr Mndebele to fail to crack the whip on departmental directors who are not doing their job according to legislative stipulations of local government.
“I am saying it cannot be right for anyone in this municipality to do as they wish as if there is no management, as if there is no leadership.”
She urged Mr Mndebele to ensure that every official in the municipality works for his/her salary.
Ms Ngxonono is happy that through her mayoral legacy project she donated two houses – one in Leandra and another in eMbalenhle.
She wants to donate four houses this year.
The Democratic Alliance was unhappy that the ANC did not entertain some of the motions they tabled.
The party said the municipality’s failure to pay its monthly accounts limits them to render services.
Ms Ciska Jordaan, DA caucus leader, said the intention of the DA’s motions and proposals were to implement sound governance that will focus on delivering services to the people.
“The consistency with which the ANC denies the implementation of these motions and proposals and uses their majority to vote against practical and cost-effective measures to deliver quality services, only proves once again their inability and inconsideration towards serving the residents of Govan Mbeki Municipality.
“Aligned to our responsibility towards the residents of GMM, the DA is also the only political party that has submitted any motions in 2019 that are in the best interest of the people and will continue to vehemently monitor the responses to these motions.
“Mismanagement of money and the inability to implement all-encompassing measures to address the deterioration of this institution is the status quo.”
