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MERAFONG CITY LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS DELIVERED BY CLLR MAPHEFO MOGALE-LETSIE

EXECUTIVE MAYOR OF MERAFONG CITY, CARLETONVILLE CIVIC CENTRE, 20 MARCH 2015

Honourable Speaker of the Council, Cllr Ramothobi Lethea

Honourable Chief whip of the Council, Cllr Happy Lwana

Honourable Executive Mayor of West-Rand District Municipality, Cllr Mpho Nawa

Honourable Executive Mayors from our Sister Municipalities

Honourable Speakers from all West Rand Municipalities

Honourable Members of Merafong City Mayoral Committee

Honourable Members of the Mayoral Committee from West Rand Municipalities

Merafong City MPAC Chairperson, Cllr Mantsho Mathikge

Honourable Ward & P.R. Councillors from Merafong City and other Municipalities present

Honourable Magistrates of our Region present

Government Departments present

ANC Branches present

Performance Audit Committee Chairperson, Ntate Huma

Acting Municipal Manager, Mr Langa Thibini

EXCO Members present

Managers present

Chief Magistrates Ntate H. Rath

Chief Prosecutor, Senior Council Advocate Victor Simelane

AngloGold Ashanti Senior Vice President for Sustainability, Mr Simeon Moloko

Vice President from Sibanye Gold, Mr Phillip Jacobs

Delegation from Mining Houses

Former Executive Mayors & Councillors present

National Union of Mine Workers

Leaders of all sectors from Business, Sports, Youth, elderly people, People with Disability, People living with AIDS, Local AIDS Council, Home Based Care, Traditional and Religious Leaders, SADTU, Ward Committees, Pastors & Reverends,

Special and distinguished Guests

Fellow Members of the Community

All protocol observed

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Dumelang

POLITICAL INPUT

Ladies and Gentlemen, indeed it’s a great honour and a privilege for me today to

deliver this state of the City address, as a humble servant of the people of

Merafong, I am here to report on the status of the city and further unveil the

Municipal’s agenda and share plans for the coming year as dictated by the

National Development Plan which elaborates developmental priorities for the

country in the next fifteen years also not forgetting the election manifesto of the

African National Congress which is a capable vehicle in South Africa to fight for

economic freedom, poverty, unemployment and towards attaining a national

democratic society that is non sexiest, non-racial and prosperous.

Honourable Speaker of Council, Tomorrow is the fifty-fifth (55th) Anniversary of

the Sharpeville Massacre a sad day in our history, where the Apartheid police

brutally mowed down innocent citizens who were protesting against the unjust

pass laws and as a result 69 people were killed and 180 wounded, they were

protesting and demanding their basic human rights, Indeed this day we reaffirm

the lesson of our centuries of struggle, that there can be no lasting peace, no

prosperity in our land unless all enjoy freedom and justice as equals, indeed All

National Groups shall have equal rights as prescribed by the Freedom Charter.

Comrades, this year marks the 25th years after the release of Nelson Mandela

and the unbanning of the liberation movement which symbolize a new lease of

life from the legacy of three centuries of colonial oppression and the mayhem of

apartheid. We also welcome the return of the mortal remains of the outstanding

martyrs of our struggle for freedom, Moses Kotane, the chief architect of the

liberation alliance and South African for National and social emancipation and

Johan Beaver (JB) Marks the outstanding fighter for the international working

class.

Honourable Speaker, this year marks the 60 years of the adoption of the

Freedom Charter in Kliptown, President Jacob Zuma in his State of the Nation

Address declared this year as a Year of the Freedom Charter and Unity in Action

to Advance Economic Freedom, indeed the Freedom Charter remains our

compass that continues to guide us to a South Africa of our dreams as we

constantly search for and surge forward to a more humane and just society, in

which we visualize a South Africa in which people shall govern, in which the

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wealth of the country shall be restored to the people and where the land shall be

shared among those who work it.

We aim to establish a society free from the exploitation of man by man; this was

properly expressed by former President Mandela when he gave his famous

Rivonia Trial speech emphasizing that: "The realization of the Freedom Charter

would open up fresh fields for a prosperous African population”.

Minister Collins Chabane and his protectors untimely passing away opens

wounds that were just beginning to heal. A humble, all-rounder of a leader.

Death wants us to count him as one of the statistics but we are refusing and say

in his honour that we will multiply the programmes to promote road safety.

This is best captured by Oliver Reginald Tambo when he said:

I quote “The idea and inspiration of the freedom charter ran like a golden thread

unifying the diverse forces that together make up our liberation movement” close

quote.

We are meeting here today for the first time in our leadership without Mr JJ

Murray, an honest, diligent and reliable one who made everyone in the institution

to feel more important than the honour that even his shadow carried. The

memory of the institution has been tempered with in more than one way. May His

Soul Rest In Peace.

Honourable Members of the Executive, the Premier of Gauteng his Excellency,

Honourable David Makhura in his State of the Province Address identified ten

pillars which would constitute a vehicle through which we seek to transform,

modernise and re-industrialise Gauteng in order to build a seamlessly integrated,

socially cohesive, economically inclusive City Region.

Honourable Speaker; let me restate the Ten Pillars which constitute the core

mandate of our administration:

1. Radical economic transformation

2. Decisive spatial transformation

3. Accelerating social transformation

4. Transformation of the State and governance

5. Modernisation of the economy

6. Modernisation of the public service and the state

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7. Modernisation of human settlements and urban development

8. Modernisation of public transport and other infrastructure

9. Re-industrialising Gauteng as our country's economic hub, and lastly

10. Taking a lead in Africa's new industrial revolution

These ten pillars, Honourable Speaker, will be our vision in creating a City that is

transparent, responsive, innovation-driven, accountable, effective and efficient

government.

THE PEOPLE SHALL SHARE IN THE COUNTRY’S WEALTH

Honourable Executive Mayor of West Rand, Cllr Mpho Nawa, I was excited when

the Honourable Premier announced the need to deliberate on the taking of a

conscious action by the entire City region leadership to reverse spatial injustice

and economic marginalisation of the West Rand, this would be done through a

commitment to work with national government, private sector and our

municipalities to transform, modernise and diversify the West Rand economy and

to revitalise the mining towns because the West Rand district has experienced

significant de-industrialisation due to the decline of the mining industry, which

was the main employer and source of revenue in our municipalities.

Honourable Speaker, the struggle for economic freedom in South Africa began

more than 300 years ago. The Chiefs and Kings of the African indigenous people

of this land are the custodians of our struggle for economic freedom by grasping

and understanding well that you cannot separate the struggle for political

freedoms from the overarching fight for economic freedoms, indeed this further

articulated by the Freedom Charter that the People Shall Share in the Country`s

Wealth in the mineral wealth beneath the soil, the Banks and monopoly industry

shall be transferred to the ownership of the people as a whole.

The Local Economic Development Strategy of the Municipality is informed by the

Growth and Development Strategy which was reviewed in 2014 and is based on

5 Thrusts:

Thrust 1 - Development of Agricultural Sector

Thrust 2 - Industrial beneficiation development

Thrust 3 - Infrastructure development

Thrust 4 - Local business development

Thrust 5 - Human resource development and empowerment

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In terms of the Merafong Growth and Development Strategy, the socio-economic

structure of our Municipality is still dominated by the mining sector, despite the

steady decline in production and employment figures in this sector. The sector

has a comparative advantage in the West Rand and represents 15,32% of the

Gauteng GVA.

The Agricultural sector remained stable but has also displayed a decline in

employment figures. The sector has a comparative advantage in the West Rand

and Merafong contains high potential agricultural areas for agricultural

production. This represents an opportunity for growth and is aligned with the

West Rand vision of agricultural development, indeed Honourable Speaker, the

Land shall be shared among those who work it.

The Manufacturing sector represents 0.18 % of the Provincial GVA and is the

third largest position for labour intensive manufacturing. In terms of GVA in

highly differentiated goods, Merafong is the second largest in the district.

The Construction sector represents 0.59 % of the Provincial GVA and is in the

fourth position in the district in terms of the GVA. It has experienced a strong

growth over the past decade and showed an upward trend in its contribution to

the GDP with increased employment in this sector. This can be attributed to the

municipal infrastructure investment programmes pertaining to human

settlements.

The Trade sector demonstrated a general increasing trend and contributes

almost 10% of the GDP whilst the Services and retail sector represents 1.20 %

of the Provincial GVA and is in the third position in the district in terms of the

GVA. It has experienced strong growth in production and employment and

potential of growth as demonstrated by investors who have invested in Merafong

with the development of two major shopping centres.

The Finance and business sector also exhibits a stable trend of 9.9%

contribution to the local GDP, it is through the National Democratic Revolution

(NDR) that we can be able to articulate the symbiotic link between political

freedom and economic freedom.

Community services and Government services represent 0.62 % of the

Provincial GVA and are in the third position in the district in terms of the GVA.

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It has experienced significant growth and an increased contribution to the GDP

over the last decade.

The relevance of this statistics in Local Economic Development must be seen

against the Gauteng Pillars of Radical Transformation over the next five

years, to develop Gauteng in an Integrated City Region. To achieve Radical

Economic Transformation, sectors with potential of growth have been identified

and in this regard the focus is to revitalise the Township economy by supporting

and development of Township enterprises to create decent jobs for our

communities. The promotion of SMME’S is critical to the success of this

endeavour.

The following projects and programmes were implemented during the year as

they were prioritised in the IDP.

THE LAND SHALL BE SHARED AMONGST THOSE WHO WORK IT

Honourable Members, it is through the Freedom Charter that Restrictions of land

ownership on a racial basis shall be ended, and all the land re-divided amongst

those who work it to banish famine and land hunger and that the state shall help

the peasants with implements, seed, tractors and dams to save the soil and

assist the tillers. The aim is to develop and support small scale farmers through

various programmes and projects.

Food gardens were initiated in different sectors, i.e. school gardens, clinic

gardens, CBO and NGO’s. Eighteen Community gardens were cultivated and the

Municipality will continue with this program in the new financial year through the

provision of basic equipment and vegetable seeds. These initiatives also have a

positive impact on poverty alleviation.

The Nooitgedacht Commonage Cattle Farm has been fenced and 2 boreholes

were equipped and water tanks provided to ensure that 344 cattle have water.

The 26 Cattle farmers have been engaged to ensure that they honour the terms

of the grazing agreements to sustain the farming activities. More investment is

needed in the farm to increase the carrying capacity and sustainability of the

farm, which is currently under pressure.

The Wedela farm is being revived and 4 ½ ha of land has been cultivated with

sugar beans and spinach whilst 4 tunnels have been planted with organic grown

tomatoes.

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Twenty local community members have been selected and are been trained in

organic farming to manage the farm. This project is being implemented in

partnership with AngloGold Ashanti as part of their Social Labour Plans and R8

million is invested over two years. Fruit and Trees for Africa is the specialist

partner in the project and provide the beneficiaries with the necessary capacity in

this regard.

The Municipality has benefitted from the Tractor mechanisation programme of

GDARD and have received two Tractors and Implements to assist emerging

farmers. Twelve emerging farmers have been assisted with cultivation of land.

This program will be continued in the new financial year and the Municipality is

grateful for the support of GDARD to develop our emerging farmers.

The Municipality has also supported the Thusanang project near Fochville with a

support grant facilitated from GDARD to the Chamber of African Agribusiness

and Commodities (COAAC) to the amount of R1,576,400 to complete the EIA

studies on the farm as well as security fencing and the equipment of boreholes.

The chamber has approached a number of potential funders to implement the

business plan of the project. It is however a concern that despite the Government

supports this project has still to benefit our community.

The positioning of West Rand district identified as a Western Corridor by the

Premier as the hub of our agri-business and agro-processing industry in Gauteng

would transform the agricultural sector and ensure food-security and stimulate

economic high value horticultural potential, we also appreciate the strengthen of

township economic hubs through the revitalization of Industrial Parks in

Khutsong.

Infrastructure is fundamental for radical economic transformation, to change the

patterns of ownership and control in the economy and to empower workers,

community members and the rural poor in our area as dictated by the ANC

election manifesto which seeks to create a caring government that assist the

poor and working class households.

With regard to job creation, the Municipality has, in terms of its commitment to

maximise job opportunities on construction projects, been successful from 1st

July 2014 up to January this year to provide 448 work opportunities,

demographically distributed between 88 adult males, 55 adult females, 217 youth

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males and 88 youth females. These job opportunities that were created translate

to an equivalent of 110 people having been employed full-time for a year.

The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) - in addition to the work

opportunities created on the aforementioned construction projects - contributed

to the creation of a further 445 job opportunities (13 adult males, 49 adult

females, 160 youth males and 223 youth females, equating to an equivalent of

149 people employed full-time for a year.

The work opportunities thus far created have put into the hands of the

communities in respect of wages earned an amount of approximately R6.7

million.

Allow me to acknowledge and appreciate the sleepless efforts of Mr Tshepo

Rakgomo FROM Kokosi of Botshelo Trading as one of our shining stars in

business activities.

THERE SHALL BE HOUSES, SECURITY AND COMFORT

His Excellency President Zuma in his State of the Nation Address highlighted the

Revitalisation of Distress Mining Communities and so far, on the progress made

a total of 2.1 billion rand has been ring-fenced for this purpose with 290 million

rand approved for Informal Settlement Upgrading in Mpumalanga, North West,

Gauteng, Northern Cape, Limpopo and the Free State.

One hundred and thirty three (133) informal settlements are being assessed or

prepared for upgrading through the National Upgrade Support Programme, thirty

two (32) settlements are being upgraded and eighty seven (87) housing projects

are being implemented across the prioritised mining towns, also Honourable

speaker, I believe that these programmes would assist us in dealing with the bad

legacies left by mines after closure like Blyvoor mine and through this

programmes, Ntate Lethea, the human dignity and privacy of mine workers will

be the hallmark of enhancing and expediting a transformation in the mining

industry in terms of living conditions as per the mining charter.

On human settlements, we appreciate pronouncement by Premier Makhura on

the building of housing units in Kokosi Extension 6 and 7 and Khutsong South

Extension 1, 2 and 3 which for some time Honourable Speaker, were contributing

to service delivery unrest in our communities. Indeed this is work in progress

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because the Freedom Charter remains our lodestar that continues to guide us to

a South Africa of our dreams as we constantly.

The Municipality has continued its Housing programme in accordance with the

Municipal Housing Plan, incorporated in the Integrated Development Plan. The

Municipality is the developer in the Khutsong South Extensions Housing Project

of which the first phase of 5 500 top structures and associated infrastructure is

nearing completion.

When Mrs Tamle celebrated her 107 years, the request she made to the

Municipality was for her ultimate death to find her in a decent house. In deed

through partnership with the private we are proud to report that Mrs Tamle is

house decently in Extension 3 Khutsong. Her family is her with us today.

A phased implementation process is being followed in the Khutsong South

Integrated Settlement project, subject to the availability of funding. The first

phase implemented over the Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure

Framework provided for:

Internal Civil Engineering services – Water, Sewer, Roads and Storm

water

Bulk Civil Engineering Services (partially) – Water, Sewer, Roads and

Storm water

Construction of 5 500 top structures

Bulk Electrical Engineering Services

Internal Electrical Engineering Services

Social Infrastructure

A total of 2327 top structures were completed during the last 18 months in

Khutsong South Ext 1, 2 & 3 housing projects, bringing the total completed

structures on the project to 5165. The project has progressed well over the past

18 months, despite slow contractor progress.

The progress was hampered by several strikes on site, caused by community

unrest. This contributed to extension of time requests by the contractor and the

subsequent amendment of their construction programme. Furthermore a

sinkhole occurred on the construction site, causing 103 stands to be temporarily

suspended from construction until such time that the soil has stabilized.

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A further 56 stand are undevelopable and will be relocated to another area which

will be serviced during this year. The outstanding top structures will also be

completed during this year.

The Human Settlement projects have contributed considerably in job creation by

creating 342 full time equivalent jobs. The construction program emphasised the

maximum utilisation of local contractors and sub-contractors to facilitate local

economic development and job creation and a total of 20 local contractors

benefitted from the project.

A total of 3 888 transfer documents have been prepared for the transfer of the

properties to the rightful beneficiaries.

The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements have announced the following

projects to be implemented over the Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure

Framework:

Khutsong South Ext 1, 2 & 3 - 500 Top Structures

Khutsong Ext. 3 - 230 Top Structures

Kokosi Ext 6 - 115 Top Structures

Kokosi Ext 7 - Installation of services

Deelkraal CRU - 100 units

The Community Rental project was identified in collaboration with Harmony Mine

to address the need for rental accommodation in a quest to eradicate informal

settlements surrounding mining areas.

The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements have also indicated that a

private mixed human settlement development is prioritised at Varkenslaagte,

next to Welverdiend, to be integrated in the Khutsong development. This is in line

the pillars of Radical Transformation to modernise human settlements in the

Province.

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HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PROJECTS

Construction of Khutsong

South Pedestrian Bridge R 16,975,227

Construction at

80% June 2015

Khutsong South:

Construction of Road over

Rail Bridge

R 159,159,431 Construction at

36% July 2016

Fencing of Airfield R 7,241,628 Construction at

35% June 2015

Welverdiend Sewer Pump

station R 12,638,289

Construction at

99% March 2015

THERE SHALL BE PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP

SONA - Mine Crime Combating Forums have been established in various

provinces including Gauteng province, which I believe Honourable Speaker

would help in the Blyvooruitsig gold mine criminal activities including Mphahlwa

and Mtariyana informal settlement.

The Fleet allocation in Public Safety has given a boost to road patrol initiatives.

The rate of crime in our areas is calling for all of us to join hands. The

Municipality is embarking on a robust campaign to support the SAPS in

establishing CPF across all areas and also developing crime preventative

measures.

The rate of house break-ins and nyaope is alarming. We should not allow it to

happen under our watch.

In the June 2014 SONA, President Jacob Zuma announced that infrastructure

support will be given to specific municipalities in the country.

The Greenspark Ext. 1 Roads and Stormwater project was completed in

December 2014 at a total final completion cost of R30,73 million, rendering all

properties in the township fully accessible in all weather conditions.

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Several grant funded projects are presently under construction being:

Project

All inclusive

Tender Award

Amount

Progress on

Construction

Estimated

Completion

By:

MIG PROJECTS

Greenspark Pedestrian

Bridge and Fencing R 13,814,167

Construction at

88% April 2015

Greenspark Ext. 1 Roads

and Stormwater

(Phase 2): Upgrading of

Loopspruit & Church

Streets

Phase 2

R 19,764,742

Construction at

24% May 2015

Informal Trading Area

Carletonville R 1,825,877

Construction at

45% May 2015

Upgrading Khutsong

Proper Stadium R 6,495,559

Construction at

90% April 2015

Business Hive Greenspark R 6,465,601 Construction at

85% April 2015

Kokosi X5 Ring Road

Construction R 43,105,156

Construction at

37% June 2015

CIVIL ENGINEERING SECTION

Indeed, Honourable Speaker, the African National Congress (ANC) is the only

party that has the heart and capacity to continue changing the lives of our people

for the better, this is elaborated through the implementation of the National

Development Plan which is an overarching policy that guides Government in the

implementation of programmes aimed at the realisation of the goals of our

Constitution.

Through the Civil engineering department, the following has been implemented

as maintenance activities within the Municipality.

Projects Budget

Cleaning of Storm water Systems R 1 500 000

Re-gravelling of Roads Internal

Patching of Potholes R2 000 000

Maintenance of Municipal Buildings and

Facilities

R5 000 000

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PUBLIC WORKS SUB-SECTION

PROJECTS BUDGET

Water Proofing of Carletonville Library R500,000.00

Upgrading of Carletonville Traffic Offices (New Driver's

Licence Centre Carletonville)

R1,900,000.00

Supply & Installation of Concrete palisade at Piet Viljoen R1,500,000.00

ROADS AND STORMWATER SUB-SECTION

PROJECT BUDGET

Reroute Storm water inlets - Wedela and Carletonville

R1,000,000.00

Resealing of Annan Road Carletonville R7,553,240.00

Construction of New Roads in Kokosi Township

R 5, 000,000

Construction of New Roads in Khutsong Township (ongoing)

R15,000,000.00

FUTURE PROJECTS

Construction of Carletonville Waste Management Depot Planning and

design stage.

Tender award

envisaged to be

made by June

2015

Khutsong Multi-Purpose Community Centre Planning and

design stage.

Tender award

envisaged to be

made by June

2015

Merafong Street lights Project

Awarding stage by

March 2015

Construction of New Roads in Wedela Township 3 000 000 .00

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However Honourable Speaker, Some projects were and other still delayed due to

Lack of technical capacity and poor performance of the contractors, management

of cash flow on the contractors side, Community unrest to a large extend affected

the completion period of some project.

These challenges are not new and unique in this respect. Maybe, what is unique

about Merafong Municipality is that we as the elected leadership do not choose

to blame others for our challenges, but we rise to resolve the challenges, and will

continue to toil for the betterment on our people’s lives.

Honourable Speaker, as remedy to these challenges, some Contractors were

eventually terminated and we hope that projects will proceed with the turn key

approach. The War Room and the Rapid Response Team were established to

diligently work around the clock in stabilizing, resolving and remedying day to day

challenges. We have to work together to find solutions, Honourable Speaker, we

must always remember, no one can know without learning, and the most ignorant

person is the one who purports to know without having learnt. Learn from life,

learn for the masses, learn from previous mistakes, learn in books and from

experience of others, constantly learn, in doing so Siyaqhuba. Siyasebenza.

WATER & SANITATION SERVICES

The Back to Basics remains a central document guiding the maintenance and

operations activities of the Municipality. The Municipality is striving to adhere to

the 7 days response time to service delivery issues raised at a given time.

The average water loss in is 36.8% owing it to the aging and incompatible

infrastructure, and the impact of illegal miners. The first phase of the “Water

Conservation and Water Demand Management” Programme to the value of

R24,526,530.00 has been implemented to minimize the water loss to an

acceptable percentage in line with National targets.

The first phase entailed replacement and installation of bulk water meters and

zonal meters in the network and at the inlet and outflow of the reservoirs. Data

loggers have been installed and the flows are measured to determine minimum

night flows and subsequent areas where there are leaks in the network.

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The following projects have been successfully executed:

Supply and installation of two new blowers – Khutsong Waste Water

Treatment Works to the amount of R250,000.00

Supply and installation of Gorman Rupp pumps the importance at

Welverdiend sewer pump station to the amount of R150,000.00

The following projects have been registered with MIG and were approved for

execution in the coming financial years:

Construction of sludge drying beds at Kokosi and Khutsong Waste Water

Treatment Works to the amount of R22,000,000.00 is underway

Rehabilitation of the wet services (water and sewer) in Khutsong North to

the amount of R250,000,000.00

Honourable Members, Freedom Charter does not envision a South Africa in

which some of its citizens live in a place where inequality is the order of the day

without basic needs.

ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT

Honourable Speakers, Indeed it is only under the leadership of the ANC, we

have a good story to tell. We have been able to lead the City nearer to non-

racialism, non-sexism and equality.

Through our decisive interventions, we have been able to address the

consequences of apartheid and the inequality of the past. Our practical actions

and decisive leadership has ensured that none can challenge us when we say -

we have a good story to tell and that we are a nation at work to build a better life

for all.

FOCHVILLE BULK SUBSTATION UPGRADING - ESKOM

We’re finalising with Eskom the Project to upgrade and increase the Bulk

Capacity of the Greater Fochville (incl. Kokosi & Greenspark) and the Greater

Carletonville (incl. Khutsong South) Bulk Substations. This is meant to unlock the

growth potential of the areas by accommodating future demand and provision as

well as future developments. The Greater Fochville project is now at the final

design stage with an estimated construction value of R50mill over three years.

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The Greater Carletonville project is currently in Feasibility and Design Stage with

an estimated construction value of R80mill over three years.

The Khutsong South Extensions Electrification Phase 3 Project shall result in an

additional 980 households being electrified. Anticipated completion is end March

2015.

The street lights project targeted at the newly electrified areas, namely: the new

Khutsong South extensions as well as Greenspark is currently at procurement

stage with construction to commence in the current financial year.

As part of energy savings initiatives, the Department of energy allocated a

budget for the Municipality to effect efficiency in its own operations first. These

include:

o Municipal Buildings

o Sport facilities

o Waste water treatment Plants

Future project for the 2015/16 financial year is to continue with the provision of

Electricity in the new Khutsong South Extensions. Whiles our communities

patiently awaits the allocation of houses and the dolomitic status of our land,

which prohibits the Municipality from formalising the informal settlements, the

provision of basic services cannot be postponed. The Municipality approached

Eskom to temporarily provide electricity in the informal settlements around

Merafong. The engaged are an advanced stage and if all goes well, the first

informal settlement might benefit in the coming financial year.

SMART METERING

CoGTA funded a Pilot project to install and commission the smart metering

technology within Merafong City. This project of installing 60 smart meters is at

completion stage, and an additional 102 meters were installed for customers who

requested the meters over and above the pilot meters.

Honourable Speaker, indeed we truly know for sure that South Africa is a much

better place to live in than it was in 1994.

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HEALTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

ECD SUPPORT

Honourable Speaker of Council, allow me to recite a passage from Chief Albert

Luthuli’s biography titled Let My People Go In which he defined the purpose of

the Freedom Charter as follows: Open quote “The purpose of the Freedom

Charter is to give flesh and blood meaning in the South African setting, to such

words as democracy, freedom, liberty.” Close quote.

Support has been maintained towards strengthening of the Merafong Early

Childhood Development forum. During the year in review, priority was put on

skills and capacity building of ECD practitioners. Fifty-five Early Childhood

Practitioners were trained on basic first aid and firefighting to enhance the level

of safety at centers, 15 ECD practitioners obtained the NQF4 in Early Childhood

Development through the Matthew Goniwe School of Leadership and

Governance. The Municipality provided venue for the entire duration of the

training. Seventy- three centers that are registered but not funded were

presented with baby blankets and provision has been made in the current year to

reach more centers with similar challenges with stimulating items like educational

toys.

Through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), a National

Programme that aims to draw significant numbers of the unemployed into

productive work, eighty-two beneficiaries were trained and are still placed in

centers as ECD practitioners assistants around Merafong City. The EPWP

seeks to expand the use of labour-intensive methods in government funded

services to create more work opportunities.

Child care and safety campaigns were held in areas around the Municipality to

create awareness on available Government responses in ensuring child friendly

environments.

NGO SUPPORT

In continued effort to strengthen community initiatives, five community structures

of Senzangakhona place of Safety, Ebenezer, Wedela, Aganang old age

luncheon clubs and the Remmogo Disability center were awarded R20 000.00

each to grow and sustain their projects. The organizations were also linked with

partners in the private sector for greater financial support.

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Skills training for vulnerable groups were also prioritized. Forty-five people with

disabilities were trained through the Aranda Textile FET College and obtained

NQF1 certificates in clothing, curtains, bedding and aprons making.

INDIGENT SUPPORT

Twenty- eight young people were contracted for twelve months to embark on a

ward based indigent identification and verification program. Through this support,

A thousand one hundred and ninety-three (1 193) indigent households were

identified and are processed for registration on the Indigent Register.

One thousand (1 000) orphaned children were provided with dignity packs as

part of social relief to vulnerable children.

INDIGENT BURIAL

Indigent burials are a continuous support given to our vulnerable households. So

far the Municipality has buried from April 2014 to date 49 indigents.

DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION

Local drug Action Committees that will develop and implement ward based drug

and substance abuse intervention plans were established and launched in

Kokosi, Wedela and Carletonville. The initiative has seen a great response from

local stakeholders affected by the scourge.

HIV/AIDS

Honourable Speaker of Council, on HIV/AIDS we have 116 Volunteers based in

all 28 municipal wards, involved in a day to day door to door campaign. They

offer community information on primary health care services such as HIV/AIDS

prevention including STI’S, TB, Teenage pregnancies and encouraging Male

Circumcision. To date over 87 Thousand People in the entire City, have been

reached. Indeed we appreciate their hard work towards our fight against the

pandemic.

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SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

The Constitution of South Africa, Section 24 (states that : people have the right to

healthy and clean environment that is not harmful to their well-being).

The Municipality is fulfilling these constitutional dictates by rendering Integrated

Solid Waste Management Services. 30 060 household in the formal areas have

access to weekly curb side Solid Waste Collection Services.

Identification and removal of illegal dumping is done on monthly basis which the

Municipality is intending to intensify through provision of additional resources.

Kokosi and Wedela are our hot spots in this regard.

The National Waste Strategy goal number 2 (requires that 75% of the household

in the informal areas should have access to Waste Collection by the year 2016)

In response to this, council approved the Waste Collection Strategy for Merafong

informal Areas. The estimated cost for the implementation of the Strategy is R27

million for a period of three years. It will benefit 18 000 household in the informal

areas across Merafong.

The strategy aims to ensure adherence to Weekly Waste:

- Collection;

- Street Cleansing;

- Removal of Illegal dumping

There will be vast employment opportunities once the strategy is implemented.

MERAFONG WASTE RECYCLING PROJECT

The Capital investment for the Project is R9 million funded by the three mining

houses operating in Merafong. Since the implementation of the project, 22 local

people have been employed. 120 tons of Waste are recycled per month. The

project is still based in Fochville Transfer Station. The project minimizes the

waste that is disposed on our landfill site and also helps with the reduction of

illegal dumping.

In our recent discussions with AGA on the project, a need was identified to

capacitate our local SMMEs to carry over the project in the near future.

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FACILITY MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION

The upgrading and maintenance of Council facilities seek to address the

challenges experienced by physically challenged people in accessing the council

facilities, hence some of the projects like: Construction of a Ramp at the

Carletonville Civic Centre, building of lifts at Carletonville head office, etc.

Forty nine (49) local companies benefited out of implementation of these

projects and each company employed ± 4 people per project.

A total of ±196 employment opportunities were created through

implementation of these projects.

Once more, we are urging our communities to care for these facilities

because they belong to them. We as government are care takers. No

amount of anger or dissatisfaction should compromise our livelihood.

Indeed the people shall govern!

Intense Sport and Recreation activities are untaken around the clock, within the

municipal area. They say ‘the taste of the pudding is in the eating”.

Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me introduce the pride of Merafong in Sports and

Recreation - Our sports heroes:

Saidi Nombulelo and Fihla Lonwabo who are both 11 years old from

Hlangabeza Primary School in Khutsong.

The two players have done extremely well in chess last year. They are part

of the u11 chess team from Hlangabeza that won the Gauteng

Championships for two years in a row (2013 & 2014), They were gold

medalists at the Gauteng west district, and went on to be silver medalists

at the Provincial schools individuals, they represented Gauteng province at

the National individuals in Bloemfontein last year.

They played in the u12A team at the South African Junior Chess

Championships in Kimberly in January, ladies and gentlemen please

welcome Saidi Nombulelo, and this young men has represented SA at the

world youth championships in Slovenia.

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He was selected again to represent SA for the same competition last year,

but didn’t go due to lack of funds, and still this year he`s invited to play at

the SA Junior Closed in April (winners will represent SA internationally)

ladies and gentlemen please welcome Lonwabo Fihla.

Honourable Members, also allow me to present one of our top athlete who

won 1st place in the National Golden games in 2012 and in both 2013 and

2014 came second place, please welcome Sarah Mphuti, a 69-year old

girl.

Honourable Speaker, Merafong is not known across the province for its

athletic prospects only, but also known across the lengths and breaths of

South Africa for its beauty and catwalk qualities. Ladies and Gentlemen, let

me introduce our beauty queen who won the Miss South Africa 2015

Schools beauty contest competition, please welcome Miss Lesego

Sathikge.

Honourable members, the Municipality is still committed to ensuring that our

learners are at school, on time and learning. Committed to ensuring that our

teachers are in class, on time and teaching.

New libraries were built in Wedela Ext. 3, Khutsong South Ext. 2 and a Modular

Library was installed at Rooipoort Primary School in March. All these projects

were funded by the Provincial Government.

Let me take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to AGA for their

unwavering support in this field.

They have developed various programmes amongst them, capacitating our

School Management Team including School Governing Bodies and also the

Career Exhibitions. The fruits of these initiatives are evident in the continuous

improvement of our matric pass rate and the enthusiasm from our learners to

improve their standards of education.

The bursary schemes offered to our top performers by the three mining houses;

namely: AGA, Harmony Gold and Sibanye Gold, will go a long way in changing

the landscape of educational levels in our area.

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The Municipality remains committed to supporting our learners by extending the

library hours during examinations and also availing free internet services in all

libraries across the Municipality.

Ntate Skhosana, for sure you will agree with me when I say the ‘Doors of

learning and culture have been opened to the Children of Merafong”.

Honourable Speaker, Indeed this is year was the proud moment for our learners,

whose many years of hard work, commitment and dedication to their studies

have finally paid off, hence we are proud to say,

I’m proud to announce our top Merafong students’ achievers, namely Christiner

Botha, who achieved 7 distinctions and Kagiso Thabano who received has 6

distinctions, and lastly David Koesa with 2 distinctions. Once more

congratulations to the Matric Class of 2014, the teachers, principals, parents and

members of the community.

PARKS AND CEMETERIES

Town Entrances were upgraded and the alien vegetation eradication projects

implement.

The tree planting program programme is growing in leaps and bounds. With was

implemented and a new cemetery was developed. The cemeteries in

Greenspark and Wedela were extended.

The following parks and cemeteries were fenced: Khutsong South, Greenspark,

Fochville, Wedela and Piet Viljoen Dam.

Grass cutting programs were implemented in all sections in Merafong City.

Service providers were appointed for the cutting of sidewalks and open spaces.

The municipal nursery and the ablution facility were rebuilt.

Maintenance programs were implemented at all facilities as well as a tree

pruning program.

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CORPORATE SHARED SERVICES

Council employees are engaged in various developmental studies including BA

degrees in local government and diploma in Local Government course at NWU

(North West University). The diploma course contains the same curriculum as

the CPMD programmes, prescribed as minimum qualifications in the MFMA

regulations on competency levels.

The direct financial support to employees to study towards the local government

BA degree at the NWU is scaled down in order to focus on technical training of

artisans also.

Successful sourcing of artisans is still a problem. New efforts and emphases on

training of artisans are embarked on. Many employees that already obtained

practical skills were send for trade test.

The skills development section achieved better than the previous year. The

expenditure of the allocated budget escalated to 95% with only R 85,942 left over

in the budget.

After successful placements of the previous intake of National Treasury

sponsored interns, new interns were recruited.

Various internships are hosted by other spheres of government are also running

in the Municipality.

The position of Municipal Manager is still not filled due to the outcome of the

petition to the Labour Appeal Court is still outstanding.

Honourable Speaker, in the current years of technology, no institution can be

effective without proper ICT system.

After numerous complaints received from the public, the council’s website was

redesigned into a functional modern tool. This was one of the biggest

achievements last year. The Auditor General expressed many concerns over the

years on the ICT section but things were turned around with the commissioning

of the new website and the adoption by council of the ICT manual containing all

the required compliance policies.

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING

Industrial and Business development

The Khutsong South Industrial Hive Phase II has been completed at a total

investment of R2.5m and an additional twelve hives have been opened to 11

SMME’s who have created at least 15 more jobs.

One unit has been reserved for the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller office to assist

the SMME’s in managing their businesses. We are proud to report that one of the

SMME’s that have started their business in this hive has grown to such an extent

that it now is a successful business in the Carletonville CBD. To the future

Uribrandt’s in the community we urge you to persevere and make use of the

opportunities that the Municipality is providing for you through the provision of

basic infrastructure. It is our role to create an enabling environment for

businesses.

The completion of the Greenspark Business Hive is expected in the next two

months. This is an investment in excess of R6.5 m in the area. The hive will

accommodate 6 SMME’s who can create more jobs in the area. SMME’s have

been engaged to submit the applications to rent the new units at very affordable

rates. The response has been slow and we urge our small businesses to make

use of the opportunities available.

The Carletonville Informal Trading area behind Russels has been operationalised

with 64 business stalls, formalising informal traders into proper trading facilities to

conduct and grow their businesses in an environment conducive for business.

These facilities have created a minimum of 102 jobs.

The Khutsong South Industrial Hive Phase I, Concor Hostel, Khutsong Business

Centre and the Kokosi Business Hive, consisting of 64 units have created more

than 160 direct job opportunities.

The development of these Industrial and business hives is aligned with our

Growth and Development Strategy (GDS), where the need for affordable trading

space was identified. We will continue with the program to ensure that all our

communities have access to business opportunities that is essential for the

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revitalisation of the Township Economy and Radical economic transformation.

Challenges experienced in these hives are the financial sustainability of some

SMME’s. The access to markets, capital and broader exposure as well as

capacity, remains challenges that are receiving attention.

In this regard, the need for a fully integrated enterprise development centre as a

one stop support centre to our SMME’S has been identified in our GDS. In

partnership with AngloGold Ashanti an Enterprise Development Centre has been

planned and co-funding of R15m has been sourced from the National Jobs Fund

to support the R30m investment in the centre. The budget is allocated to

operationalise the centre. The main centre will be established at our Civic Centre

with satellites in the respective communities. The project is at procurement phase

and will be implemented during this year. This will assist in the development and

support of the local SMME’s pertaining to a broad spectrum of functions. Some of

the major financial institutions and Agencies have already indicated that they will

host a desk at the centre. This is an important initiative for Local Economic

Development.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Over the past four years, we have invested of R1.01 billion in municipal

infrastructure and human settlements, implemented through labour intensive

methods as far as practical possible. During the last 18 months, 341 Full Time

Equivalent (FTE) jobs were created through Infrastructure development. The

main catalyst was the Khutsong South human settlement project of which the first

phase is nearing completion. The funding of the next phases is dependent on

Government departments and we trust that the project will still be prioritised in

Gauteng.

The creation of jobs and business opportunities through major projects has been

an outcry in our communities. In this regard, we have ensured that our

Procurement Policy is amended to facilitate local procurement and beneficiation.

It is a requirement that 25% of large projects must benefit our local communities

through subcontracting or the establishment of joint ventures. It is however still

upon the local businesses to position themselves in this regard and to compete

for tenders through the legislative processes.

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HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND EMPOWERMENT

Honourable Speaker, the 1992 Ready to Govern document, identified local

economic development as a pre-requisite to economic transformation because

SMMEs create an inclusive economy and expand access to employment

opportunities.

This thrust focusses on capacitating the SMME’s to enable them to gain access

to markets and improve their business and management skills.

Several training sessions were conducted for the purpose of SMME

development. A total of 279 SMME’s were trained in the following fields:

- BBBEE compliance

- Establishment of Co-operatives

- Compilation of tender documents

- Quality of tourism products

- Customer care

We will continue to capacitate our SMME’S in accordance with their needs. In

this regard we have consulted the respective forums and requested them to

submit their needs. We are often criticized for not doing enough, but those

forums and organisations who claim to represent business, have a duty towards

their members to ensure that their needs are communicated to the Municipality.

We urge those organisations to be our partners in development. We have also

partnered with the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller and more than a hundred

interns have been placed at municipal, offices and libraries throughout the

Municipality to assist entrepreneurs in establishing businesses.

SPATIAL PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Decisive Spatial Transformation is one of the Gauteng Pillars for Radical

Transformation to transform the spaces people live in and to connect and

integrate places of work and human settlements over the next 5 to 15 years.

Integrated Development has been a buzz word for some time but the Spatial

Development Framework of the Municipality is the key planning policy framework

to ensure integrated planning, optimal connectivity, liveable sustainable human

settlements, growth and green smart developments.

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In this regard the Municipality has reviewed its Spatial Development Framework

to ensure that new developments are strategically placed to achieve sustainable

integrated planning and capital investment.

For the period 2013/2014 to date we have received 485 new development

applications and have successfully processed the applications within an average

turnaround time of 24 days on non-delegated applications and 9 days on

delegated applications.

This demonstrates our commitment to reduce the turnaround times for new

developments through administrative efficiencies such as electronic applications

through our website.

The increase in development applications demonstrates a positive trend in

investment in Merafong City. The new developments have put pressure on bulk

infrastructure in the Fochville and Carletonville areas, which needs to be

addressed as a matter of urgency. The implementation of Councils’ Bulk

Services Contribution Policy has had a positive effect to reduce the cost for

additional infrastructure capacity and the potential negative impact new

developments could have on municipal rates.

The modernisation of Human Settlements and urban development as one of the

pillars for radical transformation is achieved through Merafong’ s vision of a fully

integrated community with residential, business and community facilities, as

entrenched in the layout of the Khutsong South Human Settlement project and

Kokosi inner-city development. We can proudly announce that the development

of the Gold Ridge Mall has commenced and the planned completion date is

September 2015.

It is envisaged that construction of the Kokosi Shopping Centre will commence in

June/July 2015 and the planned completion date is early 2016.

The President Hyper in Fochville has also commenced with a major upgrade,

more than doubling the size of the current complex. This is a clear indication of

investor confidence in our area and demonstrates the opportunity of growth in the

retail sector as indicated in our Growth and Development Strategy.

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We have also submitted business plans to the Gauteng Funding Agency for

funding of the following developments to facilitate Radical Economic

Transformation by the creation of integrated development nodes:

Carletonville Multi Nodal Transport Hub

Khutsong South Extensions Taxi Rank

Kokosi Precinct Upgrade

Kokosi Social Development Cluster

Fochville- Kokosi Regional Park

The need for church stands and stands for NGO’s has been identified by the

community. From a planning point of view, council adopted the approach of

demarcating land for Social Development Clusters. These clusters will function

as centralized locations in all areas where there is a shortage of land for social

development. The supply chain process for the subdivision of these clusters has

commenced and will be finalized in this financial year.

It is envisaged that upon completion of these clusters, sufficient land will be

available to address the social needs of our communities.

In support of the re-industrialization of the Gauteng Province and linkages

towards the planned Metro in 2016, it can be mentioned that discussions are far

advanced with PRASA and their consultants ARUP, currently conducting a

feasibility study on the establishment of a commuter railway station in the

Khutsong South Extensions development, boosting employment and economic

inclusion.

The availability of safe land for development remains one of the main challenges

in our Municipality, due to the dolomite situation in the Northern area of the

municipal area. With regards to development in the northern conurbation of

Merafong City, it can be mentioned that Council has approached the Far West

Rand Dolomitic Water Association to obtain portions of the farms Uitspanning

and Wonderfontein IQ. This area will be suitable to address the shortfall of land

experienced to implement the complete Khutsong Development. It will also

provide opportunities for commercial and mixed housing developments in the

Khutsong South development.

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Negotiations with the Far West Rand Dolomitic Water Association are far

advanced and the signing of a Land Availability Agreement is expected in due

course. The implementation of the next phases is however dependant on funding

allocations from Provincial departments.

Council resolved in November 2012 to lift the moratorium on development in the

existing Khutsong, pending the outcome of a detailed site specific geotechnical

survey for the entire Khutsong. The feasibility dolomite stability investigation has

been completed and according to the study, 78% of the stands in old Khutsong

falls within Dolomite Hazard Zone 1 and 2, which is suitable for commercial,

single dwelling houses, as well as low- and high rise residential dwelling, subject

to SANS 1936 (2012) requirements. The geotechnical report highlighted the fact

that the current developed stands may remain, subject to the testing and upgrade

of wet services in compliance to SANS 1936 (2012). Any further development in

Khutsong will be considered in accordance with the provisions and

recommendations of the Feasibility Level Dolomite Stability Investigation Report

(VGI 3606), SANS 1936 (2012) and a Dolomite Risk Management Policy and by-

laws. It is further important to note that no informal housing is permitted

(including backyard dwellings of informal construction) in terms of SANS 1936

(2012). This remains a National challenge and in our Province specifically. This

challenge is recognized by our Province and the MEC has in the last few weeks

conducted a summit to in collaboration with stakeholders to find innovative

solutions to this challenge to inform policy reviews.

FINANCE

The payment levels for the period June 2012 is 98.47%, June 2013 119% and

June 2014 80.75%. As at January 2015 the payment levels is 74.97%. The major

challenge has been experienced in the implementation of credit control in areas

such as Kokosi, Khutsong, Wedela and Greenspark, our communities are

reluctant to pay for services. Indigent registration is continuing in all areas and all

community members who are not indigents are urged to pay for their services as

Council is continuing with credit control and debt collection processes.

Council is experiencing financial difficulties due to a number of reasons, main

being the negative outcome of the mines appeals. The valuation roll was

implemented in July 2012 and in total 3071 objections were received and

attended to by the municipal valuer.

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The appeal for the mines took 18 months to be finalized and valuation appeal

board made a ruling in November 2014 which was in favour of the mines. This

has resulted in a decrease in revenue by R12m per month and the matter has

been taken up for review.

Blyvoor Gold mine owing the Municipality to a tune of more than R170 Million, it

is under a liquidation process that is not final. Engagements made at all levels in

trying to recoup some of the monies owed by the mine to the Municipality. The

debt is accumulating monthly with water usage remain not serviced.

AMNESTY

Amnesty incentive was open for all consumers who have tempered with their

electricity meters for fixing or replacement. Over 300 applications received and

forwarded to Electricity section for processing.

WRITE-OFF (3YEARS AND INDIGENT)

Council approved a debt write off for qualifying indigents of R10 million in

September 2014 and R7 million in February 2015 for all wards.

PRESCRIBED DEBTS WRITE OFF

Council approved R94 million prescribed debt write off for the services as at 30

June 2011, transactions processed fully and all wards benefitted from the

process.

Ag Audit Opinion

The Municipality continues to receive unqualified audit opinion with reduction in

the matters of emphasis.

EMPLOYMENT CREATED

AMR (Meter reading co.) = employed 22 people, broken down as ff: 5 in

Fochville, 3 Wedela, 11 in Khutsong and 3 in Carletonville.

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Trifecta (Credit control & DC) = employed 30 people (pending

confirmation).

75/25 clause of the procurement policy.

YOUTH

Honourable Speaker of Council, please allow me to quote the founding members

of the ANC Youth League and former President of the ANC, the late Comrade

Oliver Reginald Tambo, when he said, and I quote: “A nation that does not care

of its youth has no future and does not deserve one” close quote.

It is many years since O R Tambo expressed these words and today we are

gathered here to heed this clarion call. As we meet here today, an alarming

number of our youth are unemployed and are in desperate need of job

opportunities.

It is against this background that we must see the importance of youth

development in South Africa. It is also against this background that we welcome

these important initiatives:

Establishment of Youth Centres Kokosi, Carletonville, Wedela and

Khutsong, Blybank, Greenspark and Farming area which seek to assist

young people to partake community and government planned programs in

order to bridge the gap between community and the Municipality Youth

Office.

Back to School campaign were cleaning of all 32 schools around Merafong

in preparation of Schools to be ready on the first day of reopening

Career Exhibition to establish a consultative platform wherein inherent

issues of youth development are addressed for high Schools pupil to make

an informed career choices

Player day and Gala dinner in preparation of grade 12leaners for the

exam’s through motivation and further acknowledge outstanding efforts of

students and contribution of educators

Financial assistance to learners for tertiary and since 2009 we have

assisted 1250 students with registrations

On portable skills about 600 young people were trained on the following

skills Electrical domestic installer, Mechanical repair, Welding and Cutting,

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Basic Carpentry (Roofing and celling installation), Basic Plumbing, Basic

building, Broiler (Chicken farming methods), Vegetable Production,

Garment making (Clothing) and Home Textiles

On Youth building pilot life skills about 72 were trained to conduct a

community scan around Merafong

further 400 youth were trained on Advanced entrepreneurship training

programme

The formalising of car wash in townships in order to create formal jobs, so

far 3 in 1car wash has been build.

Speaker, let me remind you of Prof ZK Mathews when he was addressing

Cape ANC when he said. "Any form of construction needs both the architect

and the bricklayer. It needs both the act of conception and that of building; the

act of designing and that of putting one brick upon the other, which are the

words calling upon the national convention to draw up the freedom charter

which lead to the congress of the people on the 26 June 1955

JOB CREATION

PROGRAMMES &

PROJECTS

Stipend Implementation Period No. of

Beneficiaries

EPWP

R2 000.00 15 Months 260

NYS

R1 500.00 12 Months 275

GEP

R3 000.00 24 Months 105

INTERNSHIP R3 500.00 36 Months 12

Rural Development R1 400.00 48 Months 100

The people shall govern.

Through the office of the Speaker with ward committees, the ward councillors

consult on a monthly basis with their constituencies. It is in these consultations

were reports are given and mandates received.

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Honourable Speaker, my office embarked on a Mayoral outreach programme

from 18th of February to the 2nd March on a back to Basic campaign towards

implementing of our core services that local government provides like clean

drinking water, sanitation, electricity, shelter, waste removal and roads, which are

basic human rights, essential components of the right to dignity enshrined in our

Constitution and Bill of Rights

Indeed Honourable Chief whip the fight for freedom must go on until it is won;

until our country is free and happy and peaceful as part of the community of man,

we cannot rest, it is a quote from the stalwart from a glorious organization

Comrade Oliver Tambo.

The roadmap towards the Metro has been developed towards the 2016

Metropolitan Municipality as part of 2055 Gauteng City Region vision to transform

the West Rand District Municipality into a single Metropolitan type of a

Municipality, which is in line with a decision that became a ruling party’s

resolution as far back as 2003, that all Municipalities in the West Rand will be

amalgamated into one single Municipality by 2016, however we are awaiting the

Municipal Demarcation Board determination of boundaries as set out in Circular

4/2015, however Honourable Speaker community buy-in is pivotal through an

effective community participation process to ensure a smooth and vibrant

consultation process.

Honourable Speaker, in conclusion the road ahead will not be easy, the

challenges we still have to confront will require total commitment to the vision we

have set ourselves. We must draw courage from the guaranteed certainty of our

success, this we can achieve if we embrace and live by the wishes of Pixley Ka

Isaka Seme, when he said “bury our petty jealousies and hatred” and work for

the success and development of the Country.

Lastly compatriots, I thank God Almighty for the privilege bestowed on me as the

Executive Mayor with His divine grace, we collectively shall not falter.

Let me wish the South African Cricket team well in the world cup, they have

made us proud so far.

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A special word of appreciation and support to

My family

Political Management Team

Members of the Mayoral Committee

Councillors

Administrative leadership under the stewardship of Mr Thibini

Support Staff in my Office

The opposition parties who keep on our toes

And the beautiful people of Merafong

I thank you