‘Emfuleni - Turning the tide towards vision 2014’

Speaker of Council: Madam Nomadlozi Greta Hlongwane, Chief Whip of Council: Cllr. Thembile Nquba, Members of the Mayoral Committee, Honourable Councillors, Leaders of various political parties and the civic movement, The Municipal Manager: Mr. Seqoanjane Shabalala and members of the Senior Management Team and officials of the municipality, The chairperson of the Audit committee and its members, Members of the community, The business fraternity, Distinguished guests, Miss Emfuleni, Friends from the media, Ladies and gentlemen

Madam Speaker, as we continue to bid farewell to the year 2010 through this last sitting of Council, I wish to acknowledge the presence of Honourable Humphrey Memezi, a Member of the Executive Council responsible for Local Government and Housing who has heeded our grace this occasion.

I would like to further acknowledge in our midst the presence of Councillor Mahole Simon Mofokeng, the Executive Mayor of Sedibeng District Municipality, the Executive Mayors, Speakers, Chief Whips of our sister municipalities under the jurisdiction of the Sedibeng District Municipality;

Madam Speaker allow me to further acknowledge the presence of the Auditor-General of South Africa, Mr. Terence Nombembe;

The Head of department of Local Government and Housing Mr. Mongezi Mnyani;

The Head of Department of the Provincial Treasury Ms. Nomfundo Tshabalala;

This House is also graced by the presence of the Chairperson of the Audit Committee Mr. Piet Fourie.
I wish to acknowledge the presence of our most important guests, the community of Emfuleni.

I also want to acknowledge my wife and son, they continue to be the pillar of strength and support and for that I want to unconditionally thank them.

Year 2010

The year 2010 is unique in so many ways and will remain undeniably so for many years to come.

It is during this year that we were proud as a nation when we hosted the first ever historic world cup soccer spectacular on the African soil.

We cried and triumphed over adversity and sceptism united in our diversity and pride as a nation and as a people.

We reclaimed our better place in the international economic and political fraternity by proving that South Africa is a land of opportunities, investment and growth.

We demonstrated our humanity by opening our warm arms to embrace the international community of nations to the beautiful South African landscape and its loving people.

This year marks ten years of local government. Since the last mandate of local government elections, the question looms, “have we done enough to change the material conditions of our people and meeting the strategic objectives of our manifesto”?

Through the local government manifesto of the ruling party, on the 1st of March 2006 a commitment was made to speed up delivery of free basic services, build sustainable human settlements and viable communities, improve all public services, build infrastructure, create job opportunities and fight poverty. This mandate was entrusted upon by the people of Emfuleni. To this day it remains a mandate entrusted upon us.

16 Days of Activism

Madam Speaker, as we continue with our fight against abuse of women and children, we continue to witness the brutality inflicted upon women and children.  Whilst we continue to reclaim our streets from criminals, the savage against the defenceless remains unabated. We need to do more to rid our society of this barbaric act to ensure that this backward act has no place in our modern and democratic society. We were joined by hundreds of our people in our march under the banner of “Taking back the night” demonstrating our determination to fight for a society devoid of women and children abuse. It is the collective duty of all residents to contribute towards a safer and secure environment where our people can live without fear.

International AIDS Day

On the 1st of December 2010 we commemorated the International AIDS Day. Our efforts to ensure that we know our status are moving at a steady but promising pace.

With 5,6 million of our people infected with HIV and AIDS and out of a total of 3000 workforce of the municipality, 81 employees underwent voluntary HIV counselling and testing.

Out of the entire population of Emfuleni, only 295 have undergone testing. Whilst government has put in place strategies and initiatives to combat the scourge, HIV and AIDS remain a personal responsibility.

Whilst society is ravaged by this disease, turning a blind eye amounts to a deliberate betrayal of human civilisation as we know it and a construction of a country of orphans.

We have successfully launched the Local AIDS Council and established ward based AIDS Councils.

We owe our gratitude to the Chairperson of SALGA, Councillor Khorombi Dau and Cllr. Kedibone Mogotsi for partnering with us in contributing to the national effort to rid society of the epidemic.

Institutional capacity and transformation

We have achieved the strategic objective of ensuring institutional capacity and transformation by filling strategic positions. This is a direct response to the challenges of reconstruction and development and to build human machinery with the expertise to advance our vision for a better life. We filled the positions of the Chief Audit Executive and Chief Director-Metsi-a-Lekoa.

Vacancies

The process of effecting appointments to the following positions has been completed:

Deputy Municipal Manager: Basic Services
Deputy Municipal Manager: IPAM
Chief Operation Officer

The interviews for the position of the Chief Information Officer will be held now in December whilst the Chief Risk Officer is awaiting assessment.

All these will be presented at the first Council sitting of 2011.

Operation clean audit and governance

Institutional performance stands as one of the obstacles between a qualified and a clean audit. Madam Speaker we shall indeed cross that stumbling block and barrier as we have appointed a Performance Management Specialist to the senior management team to be able to double management’s efforts in this operation.

The Auditor-General’s queries on lack of performance management system aligned to the IDP, outcome 09 and ultimately the annual report in an integrated manner will be addressed sufficiently through the appointment of the Performance Specialist.

Key to the AG’s findings is the implementation of a performance management system that includes institutional key performance indicators and targets cascaded from Council, the Executive and the administration.

This alignment will improve efficiency and effectiveness and will lead to the better delivery of quality services to our communities.

One of the key responsibilities of the Chief Audit Executive is to report to Council on the follow-ups on the Auditor General’s findings as well as performance assessments and reviews.

Performance monitoring and evaluation is a recipe towards improved accountability and productivity in the municipality.

I must emphasize Madam Speaker that as part of the National and Provincial governments’ operation clean audit and our turn-around strategy, we are tirelessly working towards the attainment of a clean audit by 2014 as per national targets.

To that end we have introduced an action plan to attend to the matters raised by the Auditor General. Reports on progress in this regard will regularly be submitted to council for its consideration.

It is through the assistance of the office of the Auditor-General, the Treasury that systems are put in place to ensure clean governance, accountability, efficient and effective administration.

The Integrated Development Plan and SDBIP’s are undergoing major adjustments to address challenges and compliance issues raised by the Auditor-General.

We have taken proactive steps to ensure that the IDP and SDBIP’s are amended in order to address the shortcomings raised by the Auditor-General.

A request for proposals has been done for the appointment of a service provide for the compilation of an asset register in line with GRAP 17.

As we approach the new financial year in July 2011, we would have had laid a solid foundation for that year through pre-planning and foresight, thus maintaining our objective towards achieving a clean audit.

Participatory democracy

Our conviction that the “People Shall Govern” confirms the centrality of our people in nation building. This places our people at the forefront of societal change and economic transformation through deepened public participation, accountability and transparency.

We were not immune Madam Speaker from the service delivery protests that besieged the country. We established Operation Saam Trek, the Executive Mayor’s Hotline and the Rapid Response Unit to address community concerns.

The Presidential Hotline concerns received by the municipality continue to be addressed with speed and responsiveness.

With the establishment of the Premier’s Hotline by Premier Nomvula Mokonyane and with the institutional capacity created to address those challenges, we are better placed to address those challenges. However, the question of resources remains a challenge.

To this date we had convened 2 People’s Assemblies, 8 Mayoral Imbizos, 4 ward committee meetings in each of the 4 precincts. It is in these platforms that we provided feedback on service delivery progress and its shortcomings.

In his State of the Nation Address, President Jacob Zuma re-affirmed the responsibility of councillors as public representatives as a direct link between government and communities.

Participatory democracy is not about being at the receiving end of democracy, but being an active participant in the process.  The youth, women, the elderly and people with disabilities must be the primary beneficiaries of our development programmes.

Ours is to inculcate, entrench and cultivate a culture of consultation and accountability.

The African National Congress, in its Local Government Summit of this past weekend has noted that service delivery is a result of our complacency, failure to listen to communities, in-fighting and lack of accountability has played a leading role in the service delivery protests.

It is therefore important to strengthen relations with business, churches, the community and non-governmental organizations and the civic movement as part of collective leadership.

The skies of Emfuleni will open with the blessings of the gods of the Rain Queen Modjadji to water the arid soil of our motherland. Rain is a blessing but for us sometimes it has detrimental effects. This accounts for water logged houses, flooding and spillages.

With a partnership of 80 million rand to establish the Regional Sewer Scheme, the dilapidated sewer infrastructure will be upgraded.

I am proud to announce that there is a 30 million allocation over a period of 2 years to expand and upgrade the Sebokeng Water Care Works.

We appreciate the technical assistance of the provincial government and Sedibeng District Municipality as the driver of this project. This will not only circumvent the problem but will also create jobs.

There is 87% compliance of effluent through the intervention and assistance of Rand Water.

Financial viability

We are in dire financial straits which require urgent measures. The consumer debt of the municipality has accrued to more than 2 billion rand. This situation impacts severely on service delivery.

Madam Speaker, legislation requires of me to provide leadership and guidance over the finances of the municipality to ensure financial viability.

To achieve this, an aggressive revenue enhancement campaign was embarked upon where incentives were given to communities and businesses to encourage them to pay for their services.
Whilst we recognize and admit that the country is still recovering from the global economic meltdown payments for services is unavoidable.

We call upon our people to pay for their services and to register as indigents. We depend solely on revenue to provide services to communities.

Failure to do so will result in the total collapse of the municipality which will leave us with no electricity, water and sanitation and a dilapidating infrastructure.

Given the mammoth and daunting challenges of the municipality, we appeal to the provincial government to invest in developing our area.

Honourable Memezi as you alluded during the People’s Assembly we are entrusting on you to place Emfuleni at the apex of the provincial government’s agenda in order to change the face of our communities, to create jobs and to eradicate poverty.

Madam Speaker, the Municipal Manager has put in place practical plans to salvage the municipality from the financial depression. In heeding the Minister of Finance’ directive on cutting on the nice to have, stringent cost cutting measures have been introduced.

This entails doing away with conferences, hotels, overtime, catering, fleet abuse, as well as contracts, courses that do not have a direct bearing on the job, telephone abuse, and any other activity that is not inline with the core business of the municipality.

Revenue injection remains the life blood of the municipality. We have appointed Deloitte and Touche to deal with revenue management and to improve our system and to ensure institutional capacity through skills transfer.

The provincial government has appointed Aloe-Cap to recover and collect the 2,3 million bad debt.

The process of introducing smart metres is well under way and Deloitte and Touche is moving towards their introduction. This will improve on correct billing system and to ensure revenue collection.

Housing and electricity

Through the leadership of Councillor Tebogo Moepadira the problem of invasions of RDP houses and land invasions has been addressed and stabilising.

It is through our partnership with the Department of Local Government and Housing that we seek to provide shelter to the homeless and the needy.

This requires partnership with Eskom and other role players to ensure that our people have access to basic services. The plight of the people of Tshepong, Beverly Hills, Redan and other communities will soon be alleviated through our partnership with Eskom for electrification of their areas and homes.

Our partnership with Eskom has yielded a debt write-off of about 105 million rand.

We have received reports of favouritism and corruption in the allocation of RDP houses. Those implicated should face the full might of the law.

We wish to thank communities for exposing those who sold houses. This led to the arrest of 8 people.

An RDP house is applied for. An RDP is not for sale, not for renting, not transferable.

We condemn the actions of those who invade and buy houses from corrupt officials.

Those found involved in this criminal act will face the full might of the law.

The Kwa Masiza problem is nearing an end. A settlement has been reached to address the plight of residents. The provincial government has entered into an agreement with service providers for the upgrading of the hostel. Work will begin in earnest when the hostel is handed over to Emfuleni.

Madam Speaker let me introduce to this December sitting the following new members of the senior management team:

Ms. SJ Masite  : Chief Audit Executive
Ms. T. Mkhize  : Chief Director-Metsi-a-Lekoa
Mr. H de. Hart  :  Performance Management Specialist:

We welcome you to Emfuleni and we wish that you will discharge of your responsibility with determination to drive the vision for a better Emfuleni.

Service delivery

As we continue to create a green and clean environment we have partnered with the Einhoven Municipality in the Netherlands in the fields of HIV and AIDS, and waste management.

Nurses have been trained in the field of HIV and AIDS counselling and this is transcended to AIDS volunteers at ward level.

We have established a waste recycling centre in Evaton West. We are awaiting delivery of a mobile ambulance that will ensure that our people have access to health care.

Construction of the Evaton Fire Station has been completed and will be handed over in February 2011.

Through Mdelo and Indalo Yethu partnership we have created 260 jobs for the beautification of our surroundings.

We have created 100 jobs through the National Rural Youth Service Corps (NARYSEC) Learnership Project in partnership with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform.

We have created 100 temporary jobs through a Research Project in partnership with the Sedibeng District Municipality and the National Youth Development Agency.

25 young people were trained in sustainable household food gardens as part of food security. Food gardens will be established before the end of the year immediately after the completion of training.

In partnership with the South African National Council against Alcohol we have run three workshops in Bophelong, Rustervaal and Evaton on the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse.

We can watch our youth drowning their future. Young people remain our investment for the future. Alcohol abuse accounts for unstable families which lead to an unstable society.

267 young people were trained in basic financial literacy and housing consumer education. This was to empower them in financial management and consumer rights.

A majority of the beneficiaries are women, young people and people with disabilities. 

Evaton Urban Renewal

The administration and project management of the Evaton Renewal Project needs political leadership to ensure oversight and accountability. This needs strengthening relations with the province and to coordinate the implementation of the project in a transparent and accountable manner.

This gave rise to a number of problems to the extent that the municipality was accused of delaying the implementation of the ERP projects.

However Madam Speaker a report on the development of the Eastern Precinct will be tabled before the next Council sitting. As the Mayoral Committee we discussed the problems experienced in the implementation of the Eastern Precinct and I advise that the administration resolve this matter upon which a report will be tabled before Council.  This entails the approval of the land purchase offer by Council. There are issues that need to be addressed prior to the resolution and approval of the matter by Council.

The following are the achievements of the Evaton Urban Renewal:

• Construction of the Mafatsane Complex is at 99% and will be officially handed over in December to serve as a Thusong Service Centre;
• Show village is at 58% and will be completed by March 2011;
• Relocation Village is 60% and will be completed by March 2011;
• The provision of 240 litre waste collection bins has been identified as improving waste collection and to date 6 723 bins have thus far been distributed to households;
• Brick making plant that will create jobs is still in the formative stage and procurement processes are being finalized;
• Electrical Network Development Master Plan;

Storm-water master-plan has been completed. This will alleviate waterlogged houses and flooding problems.

Municipal Infrastructure Grant

In addressing projects roll over challenges, to ensure quality work on projects and to speed service delivery, we have partnered with the Mogale City for implementation of the Municipal Infrastructure Grant Projects.

We have established an Infrastructure and Assest  and Project Management Unit to address the pressing challenges of service delivery. The vacancies and other positions will be filled.

Electricity

The following points are noted in regard to ELM:

• There is 98% electricity coverage in the entire Emfuleni formal settlements and 2.8% which is not covered mainly in Beverly Hills extension 7(500 households), zone 24(500 households) and in both Tshepong and Tshepiso (2500 households).There electricity does not cover the informal settlements.

Water

There is 100% water supply coverage to all informal settlements. In the informal settlement the water is supplied in accordance to RDP Standard (communal Tap).

Sanitation

There is 100% sanitation coverage in all formal settlements. Sanitation provision is still a challenge in areas that are not yet proclaimed townships

Waste

There is 100% refuse household collection in all formal settlements, but the rural agricultural holdings are serviced by private companies.

Roads

60% of roads in Emfuleni are tarred whereas 40% are still gravel/dead roads mainly are in the townships. Potholes remain a major problem.

Conclusion

We have passed through the painful path of the Sharpeville and Boipatong massacres. It is these tragic yet historic events that on the 10th of December 1996 that we witnessed the signing of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa by Tata Nelson Mandela.  This is a document that guarantees us freedom, justice, equality and the right to dignity

On Friday the 10th December 2010, the country will be commemorating the 14th Anniversary of the constitution. We owe this to the valiant struggles, sacrifices and the blood of our people.

We need to use the opportunity of the 14th anniversary to celebrate the 15th anniversary of our constitution in 2011.  This is an event which is positioned well for tourism, our heritage, history, investment and job creation.

We have committed our resources towards marking this historic day a success. The political leadership of all constituent municipalities under the leadership of Cllr. Mahole Mofokeng will make this a reality through their respective and collective contribution.

Let us ensure that the event of this Friday is a success by investing leadership and resources.

We salute Madam Speaker, the Congress of the South African Trade Unions on its 25th anniversary. We pay tribute to the late Elijah Barayi, the first President of Cosatu, Violet Seboni, John Gomomo and those who served the workers of this country selflessly.

Credence goes to the entire workforce of the municipality as led by Mr. Seqoanjane Shabalala in their commitment to execute the legislative mandate entrusted upon us by our people. Mshengu ngiya bonga ka khulu u msenezi wakho oku yenza Emfuleni indawo enhle.

The journey travelled since the last local government elections has not been an easy one. It was a year fraught with difficulties yet a one imbued with hope and a determination to change the lives of our people for the better.

The nature of a society we yearn to build, its priorities and demands, requires a human capital with the ability, capacity, expertise, vision and commitment to build a better country for its citizens.

This is a society constructed on the values of ubuntu with equal access to opportunities, justice and equality.

I would like to salute and wish Mr Eddy Mathyssen a fulfilling retirement, He is one of the longest serving employees of Council and others who served the people of Emfuleni tirelessly.

As the year 2010 descends upon us, we bow our heads in paying tribute to Alinah Rantsolase, Mama Bertha Gxowa, Pitso Mohube, Evelyn Ntsoaki Nquba and our beloved ones.

Let us lend a hand to those living with HIV and AIDS and contribute towards the obliteration of the epidemic.

On behalf of my family, I am grateful for the comforting messages that we continue to receive owing to the loss of our beloved sister. We continue to be strong in these difficult times. We thank you very much.

Christmas is an opportunity to share, love and give. We have partnered with Pick ‘n Pay and VUT FM and the South African Social Security Agency to provide warmth to the elderly and poor households in keeping and continuing with our commitment that we made in extending food-parcels beyond the Mandela Day celebrations.

In celebrating the International Disability Day and as a caring government we have donated ten wheelchairs to people with disabilities.

On behalf of my family, the Mayoral Committee and Council I wish the residents of Emfuleni and every South African a merry Christmas and a prosperous new season.

Speed Kills-Do Not Drink and Drive.

2011 Local government elections

The 2011 local government elections is a beginning of a new mandate. This will respond to the question I asked earlier on the extent to which we have gone in implementing the mandate of our people since the 2006 elections. We said sai 10 years of local government delivery. This is the end and the 2011 lections will herald a new beginning.

Madam Speaker I am indebted to the leadership of Council, the Mayoral Committee for steering this ship from murky waters. I assure the Municipal Manager and his team and the entire workforce of the municipality of our unreserved support in the execution of their duties.

I would like to thank the MEC- Memezi, the Auditor-General-Nombembe, the head of department of Local Government and Housing, the Treasury and other distinguished guests for their presence here today. Emfuleni is a place fraught with potential, growth and opportunities.

We shall continue to use our partnership to build a better Emfuleni in turning the tide towards vision 2010.

Annual report

Chapter 6 of Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 requires the Municipality to establish Performance Management Systems. The objective of the Performance Management Systems is to guide the municipality in evaluating its performance against its mandate. It is therefore important to evaluate the core components of the Municipal Systems Act.

These components entail:

• Appropriate key performance indicators for each cluster, line functions and departments;
• Measurable performance targets to each of development plans and objectives;
• Planned and actual targets provided;
• Explanations of the variance between planned and actual targets;
• Budget and performance implications of the variance and;
• Ways to unblock blockages in delivery.

As a result section 46 of the Municipal Systems Act as amended requires the following:

46. (1) A municipality must for each financial year a performance report reflecting-

a) the performance of the municipality and of each external service provide during that financial year;

b) a comparison of the performances referred to in paragraph (a) with targets set for and performances in the previous financial year; and

c) measures taken to improve performance.

(2) An annual performance report must form part of the municipality’s annual report
in terms of Chapter 12 of the Municipal Finance Management Act.

This report as required by legislation should be:

1) Approved and adopted by Council the Annual report for the period July 2009-June 2010;

2) Council refer the Annual Report to the Municipal Public Accounts Committee;

3) Placed on the Council website and be

4) Submitted to the Auditor-General, the department of Local Government and Housing and Treasury after approval.

I hereby table the annual report for and other Mayoral Committee items.

Ke a leboha