Latest news with #NobuhleMthembu
Eyewitness News
13-05-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Joburg Council Speaker Mthembu notes growing disconnect between residents and municipality over service delivery
JOHANNESBURG - Johannesburg Council Speaker Nobuhle Mthembu said there was a growing disconnect between residents and the municipality, mainly due to unhappiness over service delivery. Mthembu recently completed a two-month public participation process on the city's draft budget for the next financial year. ALSO READ: CoJ Speaker Mthembu alarmed by residents' low engagement with proposed tariffs The integrated development plan, as it's formally known, is the mayor's vision for Johannesburg over the next three years. Mthembu said that the attendance during the public participation process was not satisfactory. "In a nutshell, a lot of our residents are not happy with the municipality, there is a gap between the municipality, which includes the public representatives, the entities and our residents. If we don't close that gap from our side, as legislature, then we will still continue having a lot of our people not attending IDPs and community-based planning."
News24
08-05-2025
- Business
- News24
Joburg mayor's turnaround plan: billions allocated for infrastructure and ‘bomb squad' for city's woes
Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero has promised a radical overhaul of service delivery and a renewed focus on infrastructure, unveiling a multi-billion-rand investment plan during his state of the city address. Speaking at the Johannesburg Council Chamber on Wednesday, the mayor called for unity and accountability. He delivered his speech against a backdrop of significant challenges facing the metropolis, including widespread service delivery failures, decaying infrastructure and a precarious financial situation. The severity of the situation was underscored by the DA's motion of no confidence against Morero and council speaker Nobuhle Mthembu, filed just hours before the address, accusing the current administration of plunging the city into a 'state of total collapse'. But Morero set a hopeful tone for the future of Johannesburg, stating that '2025 and beyond must be the year we see the Joburg we want to see'. He acknowledged the current challenges but emphasised his commitment to a brighter future. A significant aspect of his plan is a substantial financial commitment to infrastructure. He said: Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero 'The budget will be channelled towards under-serviced areas such as Diepsloot, Southern Farms, Ivory Park/Kaalfontein, Orange Farm, Soweto, Riverlea, Zandspruit and Eldorado Park. The mayor specifically highlighted the Northern-Farms Wastewater Treatment Plant, noting its potential to 'generate economic benefits, create jobs and stimulate local businesses'. 'The City of Johannesburg has committed to contribute over R628 million to leverage and unlock the potential of the Northern Wastewater Treatment Works; a project valued at R4 billion,' he said. 'This substantial financial injection demonstrates the city's dedication to enhancing its wastewater management capabilities and addressing the growing demands for bulk infrastructure in the region.' Addressing the critical issue of service delivery, Morero pointed to the impact of the service delivery war room. He asserted that it has 'led to a decline in service delivery protests' and fostered 'improved collaboration between government departments and state-owned entities'. Looking towards economic growth, Morero outlined an ambitious target: 'We are aiming for an average GDP growth rate of 3% over the next five years.' He indicated that this goal would be supported by the inclusion of an 'economic workstream' within the presidential support package. 'Drastic measures' and 'bomb squad' to fix city's woes A significant aspect of Morero's strategy is the introduction of a 'high-powered implementation impact team', which he referred to informally as the 'bomb squad'. Led by ANC veteran Snuki Zikalala, this team will be responsible for 'removing constraints that impact the city's ability to create a better Johannesburg', signalling a determined effort to accelerate progress. 'This COJ bomb squad must remove constraints that impact the city's ability to create the Joburg we want to see,' Morero said. The bomb squad will swing into operational from June. The revitalisation of Johannesburg's inner city is also a key part of the mayor's vision. Morero spoke of creating a 'world-class African old town', with ongoing efforts to repair Lilian Ngoyi Street (formerly Bree Street) serving as a concrete step in this direction. The long-awaited repairs to this street were said to be on track and be completed by August 2025, with a budget of R194m allocated for the project. Lillian Ngoyi Street has been closed for almost two years after a gas explosion on that part of the road in July 2023. Morero also addressed the city's financial sustainability, announcing a 'major reset' in revenue collection. 'We must behave in an unusual manner so that we can see and yield different results,' he said. Additionally, he set a daily collection target of R200 million and tasking senior managers with close financial oversight. Morero emphasised the shared responsibility of all stakeholders. 'We must all play our part so that we can have a functional city that is vibrant, liveable and resilient,' he urged, calling on residents to adhere to city regulations and support revenue collection efforts. His ultimate aspiration is to see Johannesburg as 'the city of choice' by 2025. Morero also called for political unity within the council. 'To all political parties in the chamber, let us not fight; use the state of the city address debate tomorrow to receive inputs from our constituencies,' he urged, acknowledging the potential for criticism but emphasising the need for collaboration.
News24
07-05-2025
- Politics
- News24
DA to file motion of no confidence in Joburg Mayor Dada Morero
The DA has submitted a motion of no confidence in Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero and Speaker Nobuhle Mthembu. The motions will most likely be heard at the next council meeting at the end of the month. In a statement on Wednesday, Johannesburg DA caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku said the 'economic heart of South Africa is falling apart'. She said that the basic services were crumbling under the current leadership, and communities were being neglected. 'The Executive Mayor has failed the people. Instead of leading with integrity, his administration has been marked by mismanagement, patronage networks, and a disturbing lack of transparency,' she added. The motion of no confidence was announced just ahead of the mayor's State of the City Address on Wednesday afternoon.
