May 31, 2004
By Ndaba Dlamini
THE Gauteng government has set itself a mission to help the City of Johannesburg make its 2030 vision - an extensive development plan to upgrade the city socially and economically - a reality.
The MEC for local government, Dorothy Mahlangu, spoke at a meeting with Johannesburg's executive mayor, Amos Masondo, and his mayoral committee on Thursday 27 May. She said the City of Johannesburg and her department would forge a "strong and good working relationship".
The meeting was part of a roadshow organised by the Gauteng government to strengthen relationships between provincial and local governments.
Mayor Amos Masondo meeting with Gauteng local government MEC Dorothy Mahlangu
"A relevant exchange of ideas between the provincial government and the Joburg City Council will take us a long way in transforming the City into a world-class business centre on par with the capitals of the developed world," Mahlangu said.
Mahlangu congratulated the City on its efforts to boost investment and improve the quality of life of Joburg residents - something that is in line with the Joburg 2030 vision.
The council had earlier made a presentation to the MEC and her delegation that highlighted Joburg's progress in transforming itself into a world-class city.
The presentation touched on administrative developments, such as the setting up of the City's utilities, agencies and corporatised entities.
"We cannot compare ourselves to any other city in the country in terms of administration and service provision," said Masondo.
The City provides services to 3,2-million people, contributes 16 percent of the national gross domestic product and employs 12 percent of the national workforce.
Mahlangu also asked Brian Hlongwa, the councillor responsible for municipal services entities, about electricity and water.
"The City prides itself in providing free basic services to its poorer residents," said Hlongwa.
"The City provides 50kWh of free basic electricity from City Power, the City's electricity entity, to residents every month in spite of problems encountered in providing this service.
"Our network infrastructure is not coping with high demand. The City needs a rehabilitation programme to deal with domestic electricity supply backlog," he said.
The City spends R1-billion a year providing water through Joburg Water. Residents get 6 000 litres free every month.
Hlongwa, however, said the water infrastructure in townships such as Soweto, Diepsloot and Orange Farm was old and wasteful.
"We are in the process of upgrading our water network and problems of unmeasured water will be a thing of the past after the programme is complete. We are also in the process of installing water meters in Orange Farm and Diepsloot," Hlongwa added.
Parks Tau, the councillor responsible for finance, strategy and economic development, said the City - which was moving from service delivery to economic development - would issue a second bond. He said the first R1-billion bond, issued earlier this year, had had an overwhelming response from investors.
"Capital markets have shown confidence in the City and this has impacted positively in our efforts to restore debts. We are currently in the process of funding the City's proposed R1,896-billion capital budget."
Masondo, in closing, said the provincial government and the council had to pursue a lot of development issues.
"The City suggests a comprehensive meeting needs to be called in the near future to follow up issues raised in this meeting. We need to engage in an ongoing manner."
Mahlangu said the meeting had been "useful".
"The exchange of ideas that has taken place today will take us a long way in achieving our goals in our different capacities as provincial and local governments. This meeting has contributed quite a lot as part of my familiarisation tour."
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