11 APRIL 08

By Keotshepile wa Mogotsi

IN his recent State of the City address the Mayor of Mogale City, Koketso Calvin Seerane, covered many issues of concern raised by citizens who wrote in to the Mogale website – from housing to health and with a detour past some potholes on the way.

Housing is a major concern for residents and the mayor said that the municipality is targeting the construction of no less than 1 000 houses by December 2008. “This groundbreaking target is achievable,” he said. “We have so far delivered a total of 3 690 housing units across the city. We have at least 2 051 units in different stages of construction, with most due for completion by June 2008.”

The municipality is currently implementing phase 1 and phase 2 housing projects in Sinqobile Proper, Munsieville, Kagiso Extension 12, Rietvallei Proper and Extension 1, Rietvallei Extension 3, and Rietvallei Extension 5 Phase 2.

Housing was a hot topic but potholes also featured strongly in the tips from residents on the website. Addressing the issue, the mayor quoted Vusi Masinda of Kagiso 2 who said that the municipality must fix the many potholes in Kagiso streets because he is tired of buying new car tyres every three months, citing specifically Sebenzisa, Themba and Masedi streets.

The problem of potholes in township streets where there is no drainage system does not only cost motorists but also poses a danger to the pedestrians who are faced with cars swerving at them while walking on the side of the road.

Though the pothole problem seems to be deepening, the mayor announced that over the past year the municipality had repaired 300m of potholes, rehabilitated 1,3km of tarred road in Kagiso, graded all the gravel roads, at least three times and poison sprayed 50 000m of sidewalks and storm water channels at a total cost of R2,7 million. “In the coming year we will continue with similar programmes and expand the programmes where necessary. We also intend to focus our attention on the poorly constructed roads in Kagiso and Munsieville. So Vusi Masinda of Kagiso 2 can rest assured that we definitely do not want the people of Kagiso and the entire city to be buying tyres every three months,” promised Seerane, who also committed himself to addressing the issue of the homes of families who experienced flooding in Kagiso.

Power outages, a challenge faced by the entire country, also featured as a major concern for Mogale residents. The mayor said that the municipality, in partnership with the Mogale Chamber of Commerce and Industry, had opened discussions with Eskom and the relevant national and provincial government departments to formulate a comprehensive strategy on how to meet the challenge. “As a result, we were able to stabilise the situation and assist Eskom in setting a standard approach to manage load shedding countrywide. Mogale City was the first municipality to come to an arrangement with Eskom for the benefit of Eskom, the residents and business,” he said.

Currently, the load shedding schedule in Krugersdorp CBD, suburbs and townships is as follows: Tuesday: 6am–10am and Thursday: 6am–10am.

For some time evictions in rural areas have also been a problem. The mayor said that this situation arises firstly because of the apartheid land ownership patterns which did not bestow the same right to land to the long-term occupier as it did to the owner. “In recent weeks in particular the municipality has been called to respond to a number of evictions. We have realised that the continuous displacement of our communities in the name of development needs a very serious review,” said the mayor.

Seerane also called on all progressive landowners to come forward and commit to the better management of these situations and to a more humane modus operandi. He revealed that the municipality will develop an emergency plan to address eviction challenges in the city.

Another issue raised was that of the Amakhosi Stadium. Responding to rumours and speculation about the halted development of the stadium, the mayor expressed disappointment that the planned work on the stadium had been delayed. “We are aware of the untrue and baseless rumours and speculation going around in relation to this project. So I must state today that it remains one of the biggest investment initiatives ever undertaken in our city,” stressed Seerane, who pleaded with the people of the city to bear with the municipality.

Although there have been reports by the West Rand Health Department that there is a lot that needs to be done to address the scourge of HIV/AIDS, Seerane remained committed to what he said is a comprehensive approach, one emphasising abstinence, safe sex and treatment. “In the financial year 2008/9 we plan to rollout more ARV maintenance sites at over six clinics. This is with the full realisation that HIV/AIDS remains one of the biggest challenges of our time,” said the mayor.

The mayor also announced that the Office of the Disabled will report to his office; and the move should be completed by the end of the May.

Send your comments on the State of the City Address to tirom@mogalecity.gov.za or cliffordm@mogalecity.gov.za or submit all comments to IEC building, first floor Monument Street. Krugersdorp or fax to 011 951-2326