SASOLBURG – Dibolelo Mance, Free State MEC of Public Works and Infrastructure, held the Transformative Property Road Show in Zamdela, Sasolburg on Tuesday, November 12.

The session formed part of the public engagements that will take place in five regions of the Free State Province.

According to the MEC, the roadshow is on it’s second leg following a resounding and successful session held at the Xhariep District, Trompsburg last week.

Mance said the roadshow aims to share information with community members on the unoccupied public properties where they can make proposals to optimally utilize them to uplift their businesses and empower themselves.

This Social Facilitation exercise is part of MEC Mance’s vision to make sure that, she listens and engages with the different local structures and members of communities on a variety of topical issues they want answers and more information on to empower themselves.

On Tuesday, the roadshow started at the Council Chambers, where Mance addressed councillors and municipal officials.

Later, the entourage proceeded to the Harry Gwala Multipurpose Centre where she invited stakeholders, local business owners, and community members to explore opportunities within unoccupied public properties.

Attendees were encouraged to propose initiatives to revitalise these spaces, supporting local business growth and community empowerment.

Joining MEC Mance were Fezile Dabi District Executive Mayor Dennis Khasudi, Metsimaholo Local Municipality Executive Mayor Jack Malindi, councillors, stakeholders, and officials from both the Municipality and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.

Addressing the gathered crowds, Mance said “Our department is the landlords of the states, meaning all government buildings, including schools, clinics, farms, plots, resorts, among many others, we are responsible for such properties.”

“When I got into the department, firstly I focused on the implemented projects such as schools and clinics. Majority of our projects were at very low levels, but we managed to move them higher. We will be soon handing them over to client departments,” she said.

Mance said during her tour of some of these buildings, her department realised that some buildings were unoccupied.

“Some of these unoccupied buildings were getting dilapidated and others were becoming havens for crime. We met and agreed that something must be done, hence the roadshow to explain to individuals the processes we are going to embark on so that no one is left behind,” she said.

Engaging presentations on property management highlighted innovative strategies for maximizing these assets, followed by a lively Q&A session where attendees shared ideas and proposals with the MEC.

Closing the session, mayor Khasudi expressed his gratitude to the MEC and her team for bringing the Property Roadshow to the residents of Metsimaholo for their attendance.