21 November 2007

IT is official. The West Rand is the best district municipality in Gauteng.

The district won this accolade at the annual Gauteng Vuna Awards held in Midrand on Friday, 16 November.

The West Rand comprises the three municipalities of Mogale City, Randfontein and Westonaria

The awards were attended by mayors including West Rand District Mayor Faith Matshikiza, Ekurhuleni Mayor and Salga-Gauteng CEO Duma Nkosi, City of Tshwane Mayor Dr Gwen Ramokgopa, Lesedi Local Municipality Mayor Busi Modisakeng, municipal managers, councillors, Cities Network CEO Mabanga Sithole, Chief J.J.Mahlangu and a host of other dignitaries

The West Rand was the overall winner in the best district municipality category, beating Metsweding and Sedibeng district municipalities to walk away with a certificate, a trophy and a whopping R750 000 cheque.

The district will now represent Gauteng in the district category at the National Vuna Awards to be held on 4 December.

MEC for Local Government in Gauteng, Qedani Mahlangu congratulated all the municipalities who took part in the competition.

"I hope our municipalities (in Gauteng) will also do us proud in the national stages because in Gauteng we are trend-setters in everything we do and the various programmes we implement to accelerate service delivery to the people."

Mahlangu called on municipalities to take stronger action to collect the R18-billion in debts owed to Gauteng municipalities. "We must be able to recoup the money owed to us so that we can use it to better the lives of our people. Local Government is about people and we must make them our priorities by delivering quality services to them at all times."

Vuna certificate for Mogale City

Search is on for the best municipality

Mogale City shines with gold