Executive mayor Louis Delani Thabethe, delivered the State of the Municipality Address (Soma) on Friday, June 3, focusing on change in Standerton.
A red carpet set the tone at the Standerton Town Hall, with the inside of the hall also red-carpeted leading up to the podium.
The speaker, Oliver Phiri, briefly outlined the purpose of this annual event.
“This forms part of being transparent as things were not that transparent for years,” Phiri said.
“It’s time we deliver services to the people.”
He then introduced Thabethe with the audience rising to its feet, amid applause.
After welcoming all the distinguished guests and naming the different representatives from several sectors, the mayor cut to the chase.
“It’s time to rebuild and bring back dignity to the municipality,” Thabethe said.
“Change must be the order of the day.”
He considered it an honour to give an account of the municipal affairs, saying constituents gave a mandate and that a way forward has to be plotted.
A R3-billion debt was inherited when taking office and it was a wounded and demoralised staff.
Thabethe mentioned the 1976-uprising in Soweto when the youth protested in Soweto and said their spirit must be risen in Lekwa.
He also recalled the youth protesting in Standerton in 1985.
During his speech, key economic aspects such as unemployment and economic development were covered.
As regards investment opportunities in town, he believes that a conductive atmosphere has to be created for investors.
Thabethe announced that the Rooikoppen Shopping Mall in Ext 4 will be built in July and that the Rooikoppen Taxi Rank will be upgraded.
Apart from creating employment opportunities, pensioners will be able to shop and do business close to home.
Standerton’s Regional Mall is in its final planning stages and construction is to begin soon.
“More than 1 000 workers will be needed for construction purposes and 700 will be employed once it is built.”
The mayor mentioned the three service delivery challenges namely electricity, water and roads.
As regards the latter, work in Hlongwane Drive will begin on Wednesday, June 8, with Krogh Street and Beyers Naudé Street to follow soon.
Lekwa applied to Sanral to have Nelson Mandela Drive, Walter Sisulu Drive, Baumann Street and Robert Street handed over.
“We plan to have proper roads by the end of the year,” he also said.
The R23-corridor is currently being upgraded.
Concerning the notified maximum demand of 55 for electricity from Eskom, Lekwa is awaiting feedback for an increase.
“We want to ensure that residents can have electricity 24/7.”
As regards the implementation of Lekwa-shedding, the negative impact will be carefully considered.
“Eskom-debt is a nightmare and we are paying regularly.”
Thabethe added that close to R28-million were paid by December last year.
Climate change was worth a mention, the possibility of alternative energy supply and he did not ignore water supply problems either.
Informal settlements in town will have to be graded.
He said the intention is that staff at Lekwa should be permanently appointed in positions they qualify for and can perform in.
At the end of the week, interviews will be done for the position of municipal manager.
By-laws will be enforced and the amnesty period for faulty or bridged meters is extended to June 15.
Towards the end of the address, the death of councillor Smanga Lawrence Nhlapo, on March 7 on the Secunda Road was remembered.
In conclusion, Soma can be summed up as follows:
“We want to bring back the Standerton we once knew.
“Bear with us and give us a chance to make our municipality great again.”
