WEST RAND DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY STATE OF …

1 1 west rand DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY STATE OF THE DISTRICT ADDRESS, 2012 CONTENTS 1. Introduction 2. STATE of the Nation Address 3. STATE of the Province Address 4. Achievements of the west rand DISTRICT Municipal Transformation Vision 2016 Environmental Management and Green IQ Health and Social Development Economic and Rural Development Public Safety Human Settlements and Regional Planning Technical Support and Infrastructure Development Office of the Executive Mayor 5. Financial Accountability and Performance 6. Conclusion 2 west rand STATE OF THE DISTRICT ADDRESS, 2012 Madam Speaker Provincial Leadership Executive Mayors Speakers Chief Whips Members of the Mayoral Committee Religious leaders Business people Community members Officials Media Ladies and Gentlemen 1.

2 Introduction I am honoured to greet you in this special year of remembrance the centenary year of the African National Congress. Over the 100 years of its existence, the ANC has enjoyed supreme success as the leader of our people s struggle to rid South Africa of apartheid colonialism and all its manifestations. Few movements or parties can show such a consistent record of triumph over adversity, spanning a period of a century. Today, the ANC enjoys the overwhelming confidence of the masses as a trusted leader and loyal servant of the people in the on-going struggle to build a better life for all.

3 This remarkable success of the movement is not a result of good fortune. During the years major setbacks and obstacles had to be overcome by men and women who were prepared to make supreme sacrifices to turn 3 the ANC into what it is today. The celebration of 100 years of struggle and victory is a milestone a wonderful opportunity to pause and reflect, an opportunity to recommit ourselves to the aspirations of our esteemed leaders, to pledge ourselves to selfless and untiring work to achieve a free, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous future. Among the progressive forces in the continent and across the world, our movement has also earned respect as a reliable ally in the struggle for a better Africa.

4 The motivation to support our allies in Africa is demonstrated currently by the west rand DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY in our mission to assist the suffering people of Brazzaville in the Congo. The WRDM has sent four officials from Public Safety and two paramedics seconded to the west rand to lend a helping hand in that crisis. In 2011, I presented a STATE of the DISTRICT Address (known as SODA) which illustrated the west rand s achievements of the years 2006-2011. This was an historic occasion, the last report before the end of a five year term of local government. In May 2011, Municipal Elections were held throughout South Africa and in the west rand .

5 The people of west rand wholeheartedly endorsed the rallying cry of the African National Congress. Our campaign was based on the west rand Manifesto of 2011, aligned to the Key Priority Areas of National Government and the national objectives of Outcome 9 which had been clearly stated in the SODA as follows: Merge into a single B1 MUNICIPALITY by 2016 Work towards becoming a Unicity (metropolitan form of government) by 2025 Become the Greenest DISTRICT in South Africa 4 Use the Green Economy to grow the GGP of the west rand Implement increasingly shared services DISTRICT -wide Create jobs to combat poverty and dependence Build a united and prosperous non-racial society Commit to training and skilling of our communities Build better neighbourhoods throughout the DISTRICT with equitable access to municipal services Ensure effective and accountable councillors Improve the quality of life for all.

6 This was the determination of the way forward for our municipalities. As I greet you today, I am proud to report on the forward strides we have taken in the past year, while humbly acknowledging the efforts and support of my teams the Mayors Forum, the Troikas, the Municipal Managers and officials, the Regional Office Bearers of the ruling party and other elected political leadership. I also wish to acknowledge the mature leadership of the opposition parties. Together, we have made a difference! We appreciate too, the support of national and provincial leadership and the co-operation of the private sector.

7 Working together we are building better communities! I especially would like to thank my team of councillors deployed to the Mayoral Committee. These Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs) are my hands and feet and have been delegated the following responsibilities as Portfolio Heads: Corporate Services - Cllr Khaya Blaai Economic and Rural Development - Cllr Elvis Mphithikezi Environmental Management - Cllr Olivia Caldeira Finance - Cllr Loyiso Nkosiyane Health and Social Development - Cllr Pascalina Kgoleng 5 Public Safety - Cllr Buyiswa Xulu Regional Planning - Cllr Mando Gama Technical Support - Cllr Naga Lipudi After the Municipal Elections I committed our DISTRICT to working together when I delivered the Inaugural Address on 27th August 2011.

8 The spirit of the Inaugural Address was the definition of my mandate as to dismantle the culture of distrust and introduce an empowerment philosophy that would see leaders turned into servants and coaches. I still subscribe to this approach and aspire to leave a legacy of inclusive, participatory and transparent local government, free from corruption. The better life we have promised our people must become a reality in our term of office. 6 2. STATE of the Nation Address (SONA) President Jacob Zuma presented his STATE of the Nation Address in Parliament on the 9th February 2012.

9 He marked the occasion by recognizing the significance of the centenary of the African National Congress, as well as the importance of the former presidents of the ANC who led the struggle for liberation. He emphasized the three things that the Cabinet Lekgotla had agreed to focus on this year and in the coming years unemployment, poverty and inequality. President Zuma reported on the National Planning Commission s first draft of the National Development Plan which addresses the elimination of poverty and inequality through higher growth and job creation. The New Growth Path of 2010 identified job drivers as infrastructure development, tourism, agriculture, mining, manufacturing and the green economy.

10 He added that the global economic situation was hindering our success. However, mainstreaming job creation in all government enterprises as well as better social dialogue between government, business and the community, were contributing to successes. President Zuma announced the successes of the Job Fund, with investment and incentive advantages; the mining industry and the beneficiation strategy; the massive infrastructure development drive, which includes the development of rail, road and water infrastructure. Also significant would be the development of the Durban Free STATE Gauteng logistics corridor.