19 June 2009

People to have more opportunities to improve their lives

Addressing the youth who were wearing their school uniform, executive mayor Mofokeng said “We are here today, to remember the liberation of our country and to report to the people of Sedibeng, the makers of our history and determiners of our own destiny on how far has the government done to achieve the commitments which were made last year at the state of the district municipal address to make Sedibeng a better place to live in.”

The Executive mayor acknowledged that his office is aware of challenges the youth of today is facing. The government will prioritise on alleviating poverty by creating jobs for the unemployed youth. He further said his office will prioritise the following:

• More people will have access to housing, land, education and improved services in clinics and hospitals; and
• More people will have access to clean water and electricity in their homes;
• Creating more jobs, will enable us to reduce poverty;
• Government will promote the interests of children, people with disability, youth, women and older people;
• More people will have opportunities to improve their lives, to become educated and acquire skills to help build a better South Africa;
• More than 18 000 affordable housing units will be built to benefit Doornkuil/Lakeside residents;
• The Roads Paving Project within the Evaton Urban Renewal Programmed selected six (6) roads which will be paved in this financial year in Evaton, namely: Eastern, Sterling, Union, 1st Avenue and Hamilton;
• Bophelong will benefit through a partnership with the private sector including Arcelor Mittal to have soccer fields/ parks / urban agriculture along the land between R57 corridor and Bophelong, have a taxi rank and trading places along the corridor, public art, greening and beautification to make the gateway to Bophelong/Vanderbijlpark on the north West of the corridor to make an attractive entrance to the Vaal as well as to the hospitality areas along the Vaal River;
• Sedibeng district municipality and its local municipalities will ensure that the National Youth Agency regional and local levels are established, together with the South African Youth Council.

Our operating revenue of R299million for 2009/2010 will be made up from:

• R6,3million from service charges;
• Over R600 000 from rental of facilities and equipment;
• R10million from interest on external investments;
• R37,5million form licenses and permits;
• R4,7million from agency services performed;
• R237million government grants for operational activities; and
• R3, 5million from other revenue such as airfield charges, ambulance fees and IT charges and other sundry income.
• R311 million is required to fund the operational activities.
• The Special projects will be funded from the reserves with amount of R11,3 million which consist of the 2010 projects (R10million) as well as OR Tambo games (R1,3million) hosted by Sedibeng District Municipality in the 2009/2010 financial year.
• The total R57million from the Neighborhood Development Programme Grant will be spent on the Precinct Framework, namely on the Constitutional Walk, Sharpeville Exhibition Centre and Surrounds and the Sharpeville Cemetery.
• R15, 9million will be spent on Transport, Infrastructure and Environment.
• R4, 1million will be used to upgrade the Treasury support function and to adhere to our Batho Pele principles of continued customer relations improvement.
• Corporate Services will be spending R4, 3million on various projects such as the Bophelong Taxi Rank, renovating taxi bays, upgrading the Vereeniging Airport and the Theatre and Town Hall Project.
• And, Community Services have been allocated R11, 2million for public safety projects.

The financial implications for Sedibeng total estimated operating revenue of R299million, the total estimated operating expenditure of R311million, and, the total estimated Capital Budget of R104million. The negligible shortfall of R68 000 on the operating account can be financed from the accumulated surplus fund which currently amounts to R122million.

“Sedibeng District Municipality and Lesedi, Emfuleni and Midvaal local municipalities with their councillors, have a concrete plan to work tirelessly to achieve the programme of renewal in partnership with our communities”, said the executive mayor.

In conclusion, the executive mayor urged residents to advise where they think the government is failing them, and on course of action the government should undertake to work better towards achieving their commitment of service delivery.

Issued by: Moeketsi Moleya