A BETTER EKURHULENI OF A RESPONSIVE AND MODERN PUBLIC SERVICE PARTNER THAT FOSTERS CHANGE TOWARDS BUILDING - Inside ...
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ADVERTORIAL 20YEARS OF A RESPONSIVE AND MODERN PUBLIC SERVICE PARTNER THAT FOSTERS CHANGE TOWARDS BUILDING A BETTER EKURHULENI STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS 2020/2021
MASINA’S BOLD PLANS TO CREATE A WOLD-CLASS AFRICAN CITY During his 2020 State of the City Address (SOCA), Executive Mayor Mzwandile Masina unveiled plans to turn Ekurhuleni – a metro forged out of a collection of small mining and industrial towns, into a historic city of the new world. Masina has promised to pour billions of rands into mega commercial development projects, part of the metro’s Aerotropolis Master Plan and the ‘big ideas and focused development agenda’. The development will see more affordable housing in Ekurhuleni, a botanical garden, ‘super-highways’, Executive Mayor Cllr Mzwandile Masina Ekurhuleni International Convention Centre, a Formula 1 Race Track and a Disney Africa. This has proven that once again small mining town. We are going to opportunities and aid skills Masina has a long term view of build a Casino City of our dreams; a development,” he said. development and was not only Formula 1 race track, Disney Africa interested in pomp and ceremony, and a university. It’s not just “Disney Africa in the City of and cutting the ribbon at sod dreams. It’s possible.” Ekurhuleni will serve as a world- turning ceremonies. class entertainment centre, Masina said the city should never drastically increasing tourism He dismissed with a shrug critics stop these ambitious dreams, domestically, whilst attracting who say he is ‘day-dreamer’ who which were aimed at transforming tourists from other African focused too much on large Ekurhuleni into one of the most countries and the rest of the world. developments that go to favoured exciting cities of the world. The City has the capacity to builders and ‘tenderpreneurs’. implement a project of this nature, “We are inventing the future,” said as it will leverage off the existing “Dreaming is part of life. We live Masina. world-class infrastructure, such as through dreams,” said Masina in an the OR Tambo International interview with Inside Education, The irrepressible mayor said the Airport, the Gautrain, prime adding that these projects were construction of Disney Africa, the residential estates, glitzy part of private and public Formula 1 race track and the entertainment venues, mega partnerships. Ekurhuleni International shopping malls and recreational Convention Centre formed part of facilities.” “We are engaging the private the Aerotropolis Master Plan. sector on these projects. Since Masina took office, Ekurhuleni cannot just be a scrap “Our plan is to grow and develop development became the yard city. No, we will not remain a the economy, create job buzzword. shanty town of body shops or a a partnership that works. 2.
He believed that if you create new long-term development view of improbable to bring about opportunities for developers the his predecessors, who were better meaningful material change in the private sector will come on board suited to lead the city in tough lives of the oppressed majority, and invest. times by embracing development who to this day continue to as a stimulus tool. navigate the difficulties informed Major construction projects by that legacy.” doubled since he took office, “This growth is a source both of resulting in affordable housing, challenge and of opportunity. The municipality recently received roads, storm water, real estate and Above all, it is a stamp of approval a second unqualified audit from other signature infrastructure on the work that has been done the Auditor-General, and Masina projects. over the last 20 years – work that attributes this to proper is geared towards building a local management of finances by In his address, Masina welcomed economy that grows in the hands Ekurhuleni. the support he received from of the people through sustainable President Cyril Ramaphosa and investments and strategic He said the city did not incur the Department of Higher partnerships with the private fruitless and wasteful and Education Minister Blade sector and civil society,” said unauthorised expenditure in the Nzimande in the construction of Masina. 2017-18 financial year, and the OR Tambo University of continued to display a Science and Innovation, a life-long “The City of Ekurhuleni that was commitment to good governance dream in the region. inherited by our first-ever mayor, and accountability. the late Ambassador Bavumile “The feasibility study and business Vilakazi, is not the same City that “We will continue to cut irregular plan is also completed and will be we find ourselves in. Ambassador expenditure and maintain a zero- handed as a package to the Vilakazi and his successors, tolerance approach to fruitless, relevant department. We have also namely Honourable Duma Nkosi, wasteful and unauthorised secured through donation [of] a Honourable Ntombi Mekgwe and expenditure,” said Masina. 43-hectare piece of land, to locate Honourable Mondli Gungubele, the university, from a private inherited a City confronted with “Good governance allows the City developer around Germiston- significant challenges arising from to attract much-needed Boksburg area,” he said. our history of separate investment, which will allow us to development . Merging these grow economic activity in the City Reflecting on the journey travelled historically fragmented locales of Ekurhuleni. We are committed over the past 20 years, Masina said into one City, the democratic to implementing the AG's the success of Ekurhuleni today government succeeded in recommendations expeditiously. could not only be credited to him undermining the legacy of separate The City remains committed to alone, saying it was forged by the development that had made it transparency, accountability and clean governance.” a partnership that works. 3.
PLANNING, DISCIPLINE YIELDS CLEAN FINANCES FOR COE appropriately presented, without of the current financial year. any identified exceptions, and in compliance with generally Mashazi says this was achieved by accepted accounting principles,” scrapping catering for meetings of said Masina, to applause all round. less than four hours and reducing the number and eligibility of those The City achieved an unqualified who travels, while encouraging audit with no unauthorised local travel to learn best practice. expenditure, no fruitless and The City’s Revenue Collection rate wasteful expenditure while stood at 91 percent, and Mashazi Ekurhuleni City Manager irregular expenditure has believes there is room for Dr Imogen Mashazi decreased from R215 million in the improvement with the target set previous financial year to R5 at 93%. The city manager believes million in the 2018/19 financial that one area of improvement will Demand Management year. be from Eskom supplied areas Planning, strong discipline and consequences such as Ncala in Thokoza where management are key Masina also announced that the Eskom has started enforcing reasons yet another City also managed to spend a tougher credit control measures to unqualified audit for the city record 94,3% of its Capex budget enforce payment. of Ekurhuleni, says the metro’s of about R 6 billion against a target City Manager Dr Imogen of 95%, ahead of Metros such as Eskom supplied areas, over which Mashazi. the Cities of Tshwane and Cape the City has no power to cut Town and succeeded in spending services for example, sit at below Mashazi also revealed that the 100% of its Urban Sustainable 30% collection compared to 90% city also manage to save about R Development Grant. in areas supplied by the City. 100 million in the first half of the current financial year as a result Mashazi says the secret to the Finally, Mashazi says the City has of new cost cutting measures. City’s success is Demand strong consequences management Management Planning, where for those who are found to be Speaking after the State of the departments submit plans and transgressing. In addition to City Address by Executive Mayor have budget allocated. The City disciplinary measures, serious Mzwandile Masina on now uses a panel of service misconduct is referred to the Wednesday, Mashazi said the City providers across building, Municipal Public Accounts has strengthened its capacity by construction and consultants. The Committee (MPAC) for hiring not just a Chief Financial city has also done away with investigation and subsequent Officer, Kagiso Lerutla who is a deviations from tender procedures referral for criminal investigation Chartered Accountant (CA), but even those allowed by sections of or prosecution. three other CAs in the areas of the Municipal Financial supply chain, financial reporting Management Act (MFMA) and expenditure. Last year, National Treasury In his address, Mayor Masina announced that cost cutting confirmed that the Auditor measures will also be applicable to General once again gave the City municipalities and proceeded to an unqualified audit. “It is the amend the MFMA to give effect to Auditor-General's judgment that these from July 1 last year. our municipality’s financial Ekurhuleni duly complied and has statements are fairly and saved R 100 million in the first half a partnership that works. 4.
HOW CITY OF EKURHULENI IS DEALING WITH CORONAVIRUS Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina has announced a list of containment and mitigation measures to decrease the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. . The city says this comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a raft of measures to curb the spread of the virus and declaring the outbreak a ‘National State of Disaster on March 15. introduction of a Work From • The City will be rolling out a Among others the city has Home protocol for high-risk staff mass public awareness activated a Joint Operations members and will make an campaign regarding the COVID- Centre to coordinate the metro’s announcement to this effect in the 19 outbreak; response to new infections in near future; Ekurhuleni. • Intensive education workshops Social distancing will be provided to high-risk The JOC will also provide daily The City recognises that globally, individuals in the City by health situational reports on all social distancing has emerged as and safety officials; developments related to the one of the most effective methods COVID-19 pandemic. of slowing down the COVID-19 • Daily situation updates will be pandemic. With this in mind the sent to City residents via SMS According to the office of the City has decided to enforce the and digital media platforms; mayor, the JOC will also meet with closure of the following various city stakeholders, Government-owned facilities: Safety and security including representatives from ACSA, ESKOM, faith-based The City is cognisant that criminal • Community halls elements will see the COVID-19 organizations, traditional leaders and taxi associations to get an • Civic centres outbreak as an opportunity to update on the virus, which has • Stadia and sports fields capitalise on the fear and anxiety already infected over 200 South • Lakes of our citizens. The City will be Africans. • Public swimming pools adopting a proactive to this effect • Innovation and business labs and will be enforcing the following • Nature reserves measures: Workplace management • The City will be allocating hand The aforementioned facilities will be closed until further notice. • Increased visible policing will be sanitising stations at all implemented throughout the entrances of “our buildings and Communications and public City will enforce hygiene protocols to all individuals entering and education exiting the buildings. The City is Empower the residents of • A zero-tolerance approach will in the process of setting up a Ekurhuleni with knowledge be taken against public dedicated hotline for surrounding the COVID-19 disobedience and violent acts of employees who have any pandemic is an effective method xenophobia questions regarding COVID-19 of allaying fears and reducing the and possible symptoms; harmful impact of misinformation The City will introduce the • The City is considering the following measures: a partnership that works. 6.
#SOCA2020 INFRASTRUCTURE: FROM ROADS AND WATER TO DISNEY AND BEYOND … Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina began his State of the City address on Wednesday by highlighting that, “the city managed to record a 94.3% Capex spending against the planned 95% target.” Looking at the litany of infrastructure projects the city has undertaken, it’s easy to understand why. . Roads Developments and Real Estate Electricity And Water Recent efforts to beef up the city’s The City has unlocked 4 900 Since 2016, 34 of the 119 informal road infrastructure include 30 km of hectares of land, deemed to be settlements have been re-blocked roads for non-motorised transport dolomitic, and rehabilitating the and electrified, “resulting in almost completed; 27 km of newly land into useable space. In 50 000 people enjoying electricity constructed roads across the City; addition, “through township for the first time,” said Masina. and 309 km of the existing road regularisation, we realised over 95 network being rehabilitated. 000 stands to enable He undertook that by June this developments, specifically shops year, a total of 22 000 homes will In an interview after the speech, for local businesses,” said Masina. be connected. This will bring the MMC for infrastructure services total number of households Masele Madihlaba said The City has identified 40 “strategic connected to the grid since year “Unfortunately, due to Moody’s land parcels” as part of the Land 2000 to 93 000, he said. downgrading us, we had to cut the Release Programme, which have budget for roads and storm water.” attracted a capital injection of over Following the President’s recent R5 billion in development projects. mandate for municipalities to Following the M1 bridge collapse procure their own energy sources, last year, the city also assessed the Four Public Private Partnerships “We will finalise the City safety of 198 bridges in Ekurhuleni. have been approved by National programme to purchase electricity Out of those assessed “twelve of Treasury, and the Germiston from the appointed power them are at the risk of collapse,” Parkade and the Civic Tower are producers,” said Masina. Forty-six said Madihlaba. “So we are going to already being pursued. companies have already been make sure that that infrastructure is awarded the tender to generate also revamped.” To stimulate local economic additional energy. growth, 30% of the work stemming The Bus Rapid System is underway, from the projects will be Extra water capacity is also on its with 40 buses having already been contracted to SMMEs within the way as pressure on the Integrated purchased. In his speech, Mayor City. Investors will be given a two- Vaal River System mounts, with Mesina undertook that the nine year rental holiday or other Masina saying that the “Aqua-Leap median stations would be incentives, said Mayor Mesina. Programme is on track”. This completed by June 2020. involves ploughing R1.2 billion into “So, with the help of the private constructing 29 reservoirs and To address its waste removal woes, sector, we want to modernise water towers simultaneously. “One the city has appointed 1172 people Germiston,” said Madihlaba after of these will be the biggest in the to the Clean City Project and will the speech. The strategic land continent and among the biggest in soon advertise a new five-year parcels are designed to “push the the world,” said Masina. Once waste collection project. private sector to come and invest. complete, this will add about 50% Because, as government, we can’t more water storage capacity. create jobs alone.” a partnership that works. 7.
Ekurhuleni has the means to Lastly, the mayor said, To Disney Africa, Formula 1 pull this off with the airport, Ekurhuleni is perfectly situated and Beyond … Gautrain and major shopping for an International Convention centres nearby. Centre, which would bring in On the back of these practical extra rands and create more plans, Masina spelled out the Likewise, the mayor argued jobs. city’s dreams for the future. that a Formula 1 racetrack in The envisaged big ticket item: the city could inject about R25 “The City must never stop Disney Africa. This could billion into the economy over these ambitious dreams, “become a world-class five years, boost the which are aimed at entertainment centre, automotive sector and offset transforming our area into one drastically increasing tourism,” the approximately R5.4-billion of the most exciting cities of said Mayor Masina, adding that it would take to cost. the world,” he said. a partnership that works. 8.
CITY OF EKURHULENI PROPOSES SWISS DUAL APPRENTICESHIP FOR NEW OR TAMBO UNIVERSITY Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Mzwandile Masina wants the new university to be built in the region not only to provide theoretical knowledge to students, but practical experience as well. He announced during his state of educated and graduates with a economic effective citizens,” said the city address that his four-year degree coupled with four Masina. administration has made a formal years’ work experience. proposal to Higher Education MMC for economic development, Minister Blade Nzimande to The proposal of the Swiss Dual Nkosingiphile Xhakaza said he was consider the Swiss Dual Apprenticeship states that students’ happy the dream to built the first Apprenticeship model for the first time will be divided between university in the region became ever university in the region that theoretical classroom learning and true. will be named after former ANC practical professional training in the president Oliver Tambo. work place. “ Back then when I was a student at Vaal university, we proposed to “What we are proposing is the Masina said the apartheid the then and late mayor Bavhumile Swiss Dual Apprenticeship method education system failed both the Vilakazi for the university to be which will greatly form part of the youth and the economy by built [in Ekurhuleni], which didn’t system. The proposal is to divide producing poorly educated happen then, but it is rather students’ time between theoretical graduates, most of whom are exciting that I get to be part of the classroom learning and practical unemployable and lack team that makes this dream come professional training in the work entrepreneurial capacity. true”, said Xhakaza. place. This will result in confident and work-ready graduates who are Masina revealed that the 43 hector’ Should the Swiss Dual easily assimilated into the world of s of land in which the university will Apprenticeship be allowed by the work, said Masina. be built, was donated to the city by National Department of Higher the private sector. Education it will allow for new ways Majority of graduates in the of teaching, where a student is country often struggle to find jobs He thanked president Cyril educated and graduates with a because they did not posses the Ramaphosa for his bold four-year degree coupled with four necessary experience required by pronouncement to built the years’ work experience. most companies. University of Science and Technology in Ekurhuleni. The new university is proposed to If this proposal is accepted by be built between Boksburg and National Department of Higher “We have an opportunity to Germiston. Education, it will result in the new collectively redress the historical ways of teaching where a student is and current injustices to enable this generation to be whole and a partnership that works. 9.
ENTERING THE FINAL STRETCH Delivering his State of the City Address (SOCA), Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Mzwandile Masina put up a brave leadership face and outline the city’s programme of action for the year ahead. He then unwittingly but poignantly pointed out that this is his administration’s penultimate Soca, with next year being his last. This will offer an opportunity to truly measure his administration’s achievement in office. “It will be a bittersweet moment The second area the current strategic pieces of land will be when it comes, but until then we administration has delivered on is released for commercial have to get on with work” the Aerotropolis Master Plan which development. About five parcels Nkosingiphile Xhakaza, the MMC for has now been approved. This is a of land have been released thus finance, economic development and private sector driven investment far. Under the programme, the ICT says of the impending final programme that seeks to take city also made available at least stretch of their tenure. advantage of proximity to the 56 agricultural farms comprising country’s busiest airport. This has 2,747 hectares valued at R120 seen the establishment of R 4, 5 million for the benefit of Xhakaza has been the driver of the billion Western Precinct at OR emerging farmers. These farms City’s ten point economic plan that Tambo International and will be released before the end has been the centrepiece of this construction of a cargo Terminal of the financial year. administration’s programme. He says and additional runways. Logistics the city under mayor Masina’s companies have also set up shop In his address, Masina noted leadership has delivered on all but one of its ten points, falling short along R21 on the way to the airport that “In anticipation of the farm to create a freight and logistics release process, we have only on delivering its localisation hub. progressed to rename the targets and creation of black industrialisation programme. He says Springs market to the Ekurhuleni on all other targets the current The City and Gauteng Provincial Fresh Produce Market, as per administration has delivered. government are also steaming Council approval, and have ahead with the creation of Special successfully constructed an Economic Zone, such as the OR additional 20,000sqm trading The first key area has been the Tambo SEZ, which has seen an facility to house the Fresh revitalisation of the manufacturing investment by food manufacturer Produce Distribution Centre.” sector. The City currently supports In2Food as well as a Jewellery 200 manufacturers together with Manufacturing Plant currently Productivity SA to help them being set up. The Springs Inland streamline and reconfigure their port is also being undertaken as R production process to boost 2,5 billion investment with productivity. Although the support is Transnet already confirmed to take non-financial, it also includes a up occupation. special tariff structure for Mayor Masina and manufacturers to help them reduce MMC Xakaza the cost of electricity as an input. The City also has a Land Release programme, through which 40 a partnership that works. 10.
The city also intends to use its supported a cable “It is about dreams” Xhakaza says R 50 billion procurement budget to manufacturer in the region, but when asked what has motivated revive township economies by Xhakaza feels more can be him and his government during deliberately structuring tenders to done. their term of office. He says he is be accessible by smaller players. not referring to his and his fellow Automotive Parks have also been Lastly, the Metro intends to councillors dream of being re- established for use by mechanics continue investing skills and elected to continue to govern “but and panel beaters. The City also capability development dreams of a better life that have intends to continue to invest in been sold to people. Those must infrastructure in order to attract especially in scarce technical be realised, otherwise we have no and retain projects such as the skills. Where 3500 young business being here.” Gibela factory in Nigel. people are currently undergoing artisanal training He and his executive have given On localised industrial and work readiness their all. production, Xhakaza says the programmes. Xhakaza would shortfall has partly been from, like to see these trainees not awaiting DTI to fully roll out its only being absorbed by the R 1 billion black Industrialist City, but also by private sector programme, which has players. a partnership that works. 11.
THE LATE SACP LEADER CHRIS HANI’S HOME TURNED INTO A MUSEUM The home of former SA Communist Party general secretary Chris Hani will be turned into a museum to celebrate his life, according to Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina. Hani was gunned down in the “Other monuments that have been which attract hundreds of children, driveway of his home in Boksburg renamed include the former and the annual Ekurhuleni Diski on April 10 1993, a year before Germiston Theatre, which today Challenge. We have also invested South Africa’s first democratic bears the name of Dumisani millions in the upgrading of various elections. “Dumi” Masilela, an extraordinary stadiums including Makhulong, son of the soil – an artist, a Tsakane, Huntersfield, Sinaba and “I am happy to announce that the musician and a talented sportsman KwaThema stadiums among others. Dawn Park home of Chris Hani has whose young life was cut short in a now been declared a heritage site, car hijacking here in our City. The All these stadiums will soon be and a family museum depicting the facility has gone to host a number renamed and we invite members of life and times of this stalwart will of shows since the official the public to assist us in this be opened on 10 April,” said opening,” said Masina. regard,” said Masina. Masina. Ekurhuleni will also host for the “We do this and many other “The opening of the museum will first time a memorial lecture in activities because we want to present new tourism and economic honour of the later Dr Godfrey reclaim our position as a sporting opportunities for those living in the Pitje, a former acting ANC Youth mecca of the province, which once neighbourhood, and as a City we League President and academic produced stars such as Teenage invite them to sponsor ideas on who lived in Daveyton. Dladla, Scara Ngobese and Pollen how we can make the facility an Ndlanya among others. We further even bigger success.” Of more interest to note is that Dr believe that sport can help us free Godfrey Pitje’s grave has been our youngsters from the shackles Masina said the opening of the nominated for declaration as a social ills, while also promoting museum on April 2020 will present heritage site. social cohesion.” new tourism and economic opportunities for those living in the Said Masina: “Turning to Sport, neighbourhood. Heritage, Recreation, Arts, and Culture (SHRAC), the City has made Masina also announced that the great strides to promote the Germiston Civic Centre will now be culture of sport in our known as the OR Tambo communities. Some of the key Government Precinct: Civic Centre. highlights is the kiddies Olympics a partnership that works. 12.
UNLOCKING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENTREPRENEURS The City of Ekurhuleni is currently in the process of adjudicating over 1000 applications as it gets ready to unleash the next generation of entrepreneurs through the Ekurhuleni Community Enterprise Development Fund. This emerged from the State of the City Address, delivered by Mayor Mzwandile Masina at the council chambers on Wednesday. . The R120 million fund was in turn would trigger economic distinguish themselves through launched in December last year activity and enable the economy customer experience from the and received applications until the to be more dynamic, competitive presentation of their shop, grease end of January. Masina says the and inclusive, said Masina. “This free paper packaging rather than fund has since attracted over 700 would enable the facilitation of job plastic as well as price. Three years applications under Phanda Fund creation in a sustainable manner ago, they were nominated for the and 316 applications under at a cost-efficient rate of inclusive Gauteng government’s Township Ximilani. “These applicants stand economic growth,” The City Entrepreneurship Award (TEA) a chance to receive funding of expects to disburse funding during which Mashiane says helped grow between R50,000 and R6 million the second half of the year. their business through exposure to realise their business that brought them customers from ambitions.” One of the local people who outside Kwa Thema. applied for the city's small The Phanda Fund aims to support business funding is Kwa-Thema His application to the Phanda Fund the development of, small, micro based entrepreneur Sibongiseni is for starting a new business and medium enterprises, Mashiane (32), who has been in venture: a dustbin cleaning service including cooperatives and the food business for almost 20 using specially designed machinery informal traders located within years. From the age of 12, he and that uses steam or water to wash the City of Ekurhuleni while the his twin brother Bongani assisted two bins at a time. This is aimed at Ximilani Fund is designed to their mother at her food stall in residents and businesses as well as partner with registered the busy Nkosi Street. The those in complexes. They aim to organisations, organised business business grew until, around 2014, complement the service with a formations, associations or they renovated their home garage branding service and have a chambers of commerce located to grow the business selling street funding requirement of just over within the City. The other two food delicacies like Kota, burgers R 500 000. He hopes the City can funds are the Fetola A and B and chips. His brother has since help him grow his entrepreneurial funds, run in partnership with the ventured into real estate and ambition. National Empowerment Fund property development. (NEF), They now thrive in competition as “The fund seeks to unlock and in a stretch of less than a kilometre open the economy to non- in Nkosi Street, they are one of five traditional economic players who food vendors. Mashiane says they a partnership that works. 13.
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