Region B director is ready to accelerate service delivery
Read more: High impact service delivery transformation in Region B
Lemao, who took the mantle on May 1 2024, spent the year, not just fixing potholes or maintaining parks, but establishing connections between the city and its residents, particularly in the north, where expectations are high. 'The majority in the north are the highest taxpayers. For that, you need service delivery. The issues in that area consist of open spaces and by-law enforcement, coupled with park invasions. We see that, in many cases, community members step up to take action themselves, so, it is only fair if we meet them halfway.'
Lemao is particularly proud of the partnerships with residents' associations, as he values their vision for better service delivery. 'I've always said, from day one: I want to work closely with ward councillors and residents' associations,' he said.
Also read: Region B residents engage on 2025/26 draft IDP
He added that the region's real strength lies in its stakeholders, who are willing to collaborate with them. This collaborative spirit, Lemao says, is what has helped move Region B into what he calls its: 'Acceleration phase'. 'We've gained experience over the past year, and now, we're going to accelerate. We have the mechanisms, such as Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) and accelerated service delivery, and with our high impact service delivery in place, we're working with multiple entities to tackle issues in various wards. Today, we can tell you where a pothole needs to be patched before it even becomes a complaint.'
He added that the relationship between the city and residents is mutual. When communities are engaged, service delivery is sharper. 'In areas where the community is active, issues are reported and resolved much quicker, but in areas where there's little engagement, problems, like potholes, linger longer than they should. We want the residents to tell us where the problems are. We're ready to respond.'
Lemao admitted that there is still a lot to do, but he believes that his department is on the right track, and ready to move forward to improve service delivery in Region B.
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Related article: City officials identify key issues in Region B during recent site inspection
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