The Alfred Duma Local Municipality hosted the last segment of the 2024 IDP/ Budget Consultation roadshows in Watersmeet ward 18 at the Vultures sports ground. The event took place on Friday 3 May 2024 amongst community members.
This segment of the roadshows was focused on the wards under the Driefontein cluster which includes ward 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and part of 24 & 26. Ward 18 councillor Msimango did the opening remarks where he welcomed all guests and community members at the event. Cllr Zikalala ward 16 councillor did the introduction of all councillors and municipal officials.
Deputy Mayor Cllr S. Simelane did the formal introduction of the Mayor and also spoke of the importance of working well with ward councillors and how the people should work hand in hand with them to lead the wards forward. He also encouraged people to go out in numbers on May 29 and cast their vote.
In the anticipated address by the Mayor Cllr ZJ Sibisi, he firstly spoke of the purpose of the IDP. “As of 1 July 2024 it will be the beginning of a new financial year. This will now be the 2024/25 financial year plan. We are here as the municipality to present the good news of what the municipality is planning for the various wards in this cluster. This IDP is aligned to the budget and the law that depicts that we deliver these news to you as the community”, he said.
Points he spoke on were amongst others the fact that the municipality on January 26, 2024, gave over 200 registration bursaries to matriculants and that over 1500 vendors have received vouchers and permits from the municipality at the start of this month.
He further spoke of the operational budget and how that will be used in aid of service delivery. The MIG grant was also presented and he explained that this is the money that is usually used for the infrastructure in all wards under the municipality.
Mayor explained that in the previous financial year 2023/24 houses were electrified in wards 16 and 18. In ward 26, high mast lights were erected and in ward 15 electricity was connected in 30 houses and another 75 are in the pipeline. In the year 2024/25, ward 14, 15 and 16 high mast lights will be erected. In ward 14, 17 and 19 a R3 million road will be constructed to each ward. A R4 million road will be erected in ward 14. Over 75 homes in ward 18 will have electricity installed in their homes this will cost R3,2million.
Mayor explained the the process of the IDP is a well planned process that involves councillors, government stakeholders and management of the municipality who review the IDP for the financial year. In ward 24 there will be a R4m road that will be built during the 2025/26 financial year.
“The municipality does all in its power to ensure that people’s lives turn out for the better. Money has been used to ensure that there is a functional yellow plant”. The yellow plant work and service all wards in the municipality.
Mayor pleaded with the community to ensure that they look after the infrastructure and avoid vandalism.
Renovation of community halls has also been budgeted for. Agricultural programmes of ploughing for the community are a continuing program.
Mayor ended his speech by pleading with community members to ensure that the look after their community facilities. And ensure that they go out in large numbers to cast their vote on May 29.
The community was given the opportunity to pose questions to the Mayor with reference to the IDP speech. Major challenges that were raised included concerns about skills development of the youth in the rural areas, rehabilitation of roads, sports facilities, lack of water and electricity in the homes.
In response the Mayor assured the community that the municipality will assess as many of the raised challenges as possible but the community needs to be aware that some of the electrification projects are at the mercy of Eskom. Those who need assistance with cooperatives were also directed to the municipal LED offices to seek guidance and assistance. The Mayor also ultimately promised that all projects would be completed as promised and that services would be delivered.
