THROUGH THE EYES OF THE EDITOR

he lightning has strikes twice within the Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality as two TMembers of the Executive Committee visited the municipality just like during the last quarter of the financial year. The Municipality warmly welcomed the MEC of Safety and Security Hon Makoma Makhurupetje in Moganyaka, Ward 9 on the anti-abuse on children and women awareness campaign, and MEC of Health Hon Phophi Ramathuba who opened the Health Centre in Ward one, Malebitsa and MDR Ward and health support centre services to the communities of Ephraim Mr. Makoko Lekola Mogale local municipality and the Sekhukhune Editor - The Voice District at Matlala Hospital in Ward 16. Both MECs were on the mission of providing the services to the needy District at large. challenges in Extension6 will be the New culture of giving has emerged within the things of the past as the contractor is finalising municipal political leadership. The municipality the installation of the storm water facility in the experience the political leadership setting area. standards of giving, when Cllr Mashoeshoe shared his birthday with the Drop Centre in Ward 11 by Once again, Auditor General is in the house distributing food and clothes to the needy, Cllr auditing the municipality’ systems, processes, Lentswane celebrated her birthday with learners procedures and its finances. We are all optimistic at Ngwanakwena Secondary School, distributing that the audit result will be positive once comes sanitary towels and food parcels at the crèche, and the end of November 2018. the Hon. Mayor, Cllr Kupa celebrated her birthday The sad news is that the municipality has with aged community in . Remember experienced the high staff turnover at that the hands that give, received more blessings. management levels. Former Manager Planning, Let us all those who can give and celebrate their Katleho Shongwe joined Fetakgomo-Tubatse birthdays with the needy community members, do Local Municipality, ICT Manager Matome so. Lemekoane joined the private sector and Legal As part of the commitment to take services to the Manager is also leaving as he will be serving his people, the municipality took the services to the article as Advocate within the high court. The community of Moutse West through the Batho Pele municipality wants to thank every one of them Principle. The municipality and Government for their contributions in making a better life to departments provided a one-stop services. One of our communities and wish them all the best in the key services was to provide information about their new endeavours. government and municipality services, how to access them and to register complaints about the Hasta- la-vista poor services. The Infrastructure Service Delivery has reached a Editorial Team peak as one of the three multi-year internal roads Published by : Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality Editor In Chief : Monica Mathebela of Dichoeung is completed. The two others of Municipal Manager Letebejane - Ditholong and Ngwalemong will be Editor : Makoko Lekola Sub-Editor : Molefe Matseke completed and handed-over to the municipality Contributors : Makoko Lekola within the next quarter. The municpality has already Itumeleng Lekganyane advertised the new project of Mashemong- Legae Sereko Mooihoek and at any time the process of appointing Photographer : Legae Sereko the contractor will be completed. Two other road : Mogashane infrastructure developmentsby Road Agency Contact Details are on tract in Ward 6, Moutse West and The Voice: No 13 Ficus Street Ward 13. Two contractors are busy with sport Tel: 013 261 8400 centres at Wards 8 and 10, while the storm water Fax: 013 261 2985

2 MUNICIPAL MANAGER’S CORNER: Stability and service delivery our focus

Ms. Monica Mathebela Municipal Manager

phraim Mogale Local municipality entered received an improved audit opinion; from the new financial year, being the most disclaimer to qualified, the municipality has Estable municipality both politically and implemented nearly all the Auditor General administratively. Politically during the past findings, including those which were addressed financial year, the municipality has never failed during the preparation of the Annual Financial to make a quorum during any of its sitting, Statement (AFS). The municipality has meet either Executive Committee or Council sitting. the deadline of submitted the AFS to Provincial The two political structures took decisions, Treasury, Auditor General Office and COGHSTA monitor and play oversight role on the on time and the AFS and ready for the next implementation of those decision on daily audit. This make everyone to feel optimistic of basis. Politically, the municipality despite the audit result as all the good foundation has having different approaches based on different been laid. political views, has never failed to make a progressive decision. The municipality is on track in contributing towards improving the lives of the communities. As the municipality starts its new financial All the newly infrastructural internal roads year, the focus is on two important things, that budgeted and underconstruction are is; preparations for the upcoming audit by completed, despite being multiyear projects. Auditor General and improve on the delivery The municipality accelerated the completion of quality services to the communities. Since of the construction of Dichoeueng, Ngwalemong the last financial audit whereby the municipality and Letebejane-Ditholonginternal roads will

3 be handed over during the second quarter of incumbents in different critical positions the financial year. There are two roads needful for service delivery; Deputy CFO, constructed and financed by Road Agency manager assets, PMU manager, and the newly Limpopo (RAL), as part of commitment to appointed Audit Committee to strengthen and intergovernmental relations. Those are enhance oversight role. The municipality is Tshikanoshi- Rathoke Road in Moutse West finalising the filling of the positions of the and Arabie – Mooemane –Phokwane Road in Director Infrastructure and Technical services, Ward 13. and Director planning and economic development. . There is also progress in the construction of the two sport centres; the municipality’s own While the municipality is building administrative financed sports centre in Maphokgo- Ward 10 capacity to accelerate the delivery of services and the one in Leeuwfontein ward 8; financed to the communities, the municipality has by Limpopo Department of Sports, Art and experienced few resignations during the last Culture. These facilities will contribute to youth two quarters which has a negative effect on development and economic spinoffs for the service delivery to our communities. This residents of Ephraim Mogale municipality. includes the Manager for Planning and During the State of the Municipality Address Economic Development, two Technicians in (SOMA), the Honourable Mayor, Councillor Kupa Project Management Unit, Legal Manager, alluded to the fact that over 500 households Information and Communication Manager and will be electrified. Eskom contractors are the Chief Internal Audit. This is due to the low already on sites in Matlerekeng – Ward 4, salary scales of the staff members of the Matlala-Ramoshebo –Ward 5 and Leeufontein municipality which causes the municipality to in Ward 8. The municipality is looking forward lose committed staff members, competencies for electrification of other village extensions and scares skills at a criticaltime when the as announced during the State of the minister of Local Government is concerned Municipality Address. and addressing the issue of capacity in local government in order to fulfil its constitutional Lastly, the municipality has appointed obligations.

4 Service Delivery on the roll – an update

Road Infrastructure Two contractors are busy with sport centres at Wards 8, Leeuwfonteinand Mamphokgo The Infrastructure Service Delivery has Village, Ward 10. Both project are at 50% in reached a peak as one of the three multi-year progress. internal roads of Dichoeung is completed. The two others of Letebejane- Ditholong and Storm Water Ngwalemong will be completed and handover to the municipality within the next quarter. The The storm water challenges in Marble Hall municipality has already advertised the new Extension6 will be the things of the past as project of Mashemong- Mooihoek and at any the contractor is finalising the installation time the process of appointing the contractor of the storm water facility in the area. So far will be completed. progress is at 90% and the delay was caused by court case between the municipality and Two other roads developed by Road Agency one of the house owner. Limpopo are unfolding in Ward 6, Tshikanoshi, Moutse West and Arabie-Mogaladi-Moomane- Electricity Phokwane Road in Ward 13. In her State of the Municipality Address Sports Complex (SOMA), Her Worship Honourable Mayor Cllr

5 Kupa promised that 500 households in village soon as materials are already being delivered. extensions will be electrified during the 2018/2019 financial year. This was based on The electrification program will continue as the electrification allocation made by Eskom in promised. At the same time the municipality is its budget allocation. During the first quarter requesting that Ward Committees, Ward of the municipality financial year, Eskom Councillors and Community Development contractors are on-site already electrifying Workers (CDW) continue collecting data for Matlerekeng Village Extension in Ward 4 and new electrification for the coming financial Leeuwfontein in Ward 8. In Ward 5, Matlala- year. Ramoshebo village, contract will be starting

6 Crime awareness Campaign on vulnerable groups

he MEC of Security and Liaison Honorable cases to the law enforcement. Makoma Makhurupetje in partnership Twith Department of Justice and Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality hosted a crime awareness campaign at Manapjane, Ward 09 on the 31 August 2018.

The purpose of the campaign was to create awareness of the challenges of children and women abuse facing the country at large. The The country is faced with the challenges of MEC also indicated that they are receiving abuse to the children, women, and people alarming reports on the number of the violence living with disabilities. It is important that as against vulnerable groups such as children, communities we all commit ourselves to women, and people living with disabilities in tackle the challenges head-on. It is important the area and the Department has seen that that “REAL MEN cannot abuse vulnerable there was a need to create awareness. This groups such as children, women, and people was also part of the celebration of the Women living with disabilities that include those month. who live with Albinism. The municipality encourages communities to report all forms Both the MEC and Ephraim Mogale Local of abuses to the law enforcement, meaning Municipality Mayor, Honourable Bella Kupa the police and health professionals such as retaliated the importance of reporting abuse Social Workers.

7 Moving health closer to the people

opportunity to access the health services it is aimed at rendering to them. “We have seen communities in other provinces and municipalities who vandalized their health facilities during protests and later when they could not access the services, they rejected their actions and it was too late”, MEC concluded.

he commitment by the government in providing primary healthcare facilities Tcloser to the people bears fruits to the community of Vlakplaas, Malebitsa in Ward 1 of the Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality.

This happened on the 17th September 2018, In her speech, Hon. Mayor Kupa welcome when the Member of the Executive the Limpopo Provincial Health Department, Committee (MEC) of Health Dr Phophi Specifically, the MEC Ramathuba in bringing Ramathuba officially openedthe Vlakplaas the health services closer to the people. Clinic. The MEC handed-over the clinic to Hon Mayor promised to keep the facilities the community of Ward 1, represented by protected and is a milestone to the people Mayor of Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality, of Vlakplaas. the Honorable Cllr. C Kupa who was flak by Ward Councilor Kekana. The building of this clinic came after having realized that the community of Malebitsa When handing over the clinic, the MEC did not have access to free health services Ramathuba humbly requested the nearby, and had to travel for a long distance community to ensure that there is no to access the health facilities. In response vandalization to the clinic. She warned the to this challenge, the Limpopo Department community that should they allow the of Health has built the state of the arts clinic criminals to vandalize their health service with four consulting rooms, emergency centre, they will be denying themself the room and maternity room.

8 MDR (MULTI-DRUG Resistant) Ward opening at Matlala Hospital

he Matlala Hospital received a facelift District. when the Member of the Limpopo TExecutive Committee (MEC) of Health Dr The building of this kind of wards within the Phophi Ramathuba opened the newly built provinces came after the outbreak and threat Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) Ward on the 11 of the drug-resistant TB disease. Community September 2018. The hospital was among the members and staff at the hospital welcomed others within the province which were identified the MEC with warm hands and recommitted to provide the services in fighting the MDR, themselves to looking after this mostly around the Tuberculosis (TB) which infrastructure. was a serious threat to the community of Limpopo. This ward is the first of its kind within The MEC also opened health support center the Sekhukhune District, and the second after which offers dental, radiography and the building and opening of one of this nature physiotherapy. She also thanked Matlala at the Modimolle Hospital in Waterburg Hospital staff for the good work and services

9 they are providing to the community as this services to community members. is reflected in the reduction of complaints the MEC office received from the The MEC of health was accompanied by the communities. The staff also promised and MEC of Budget and Treasury, Honorable Rob committed themselves to the MEC that they Tooley and Acting Mayor of the Ephraim Mogale will continue providing the excellent health Local Municipality, Hon Cllr Lentsoane.

10 Taking Service to the Community, through Batho Pele

he Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality assistance from the different stakeholders led by its Mayor, Honourable Councillor present. Hon. Mayor expressed the vitality TRamadimetsa Bella Kupa, held its Batho of participating in voting registration and Pele day at Spitspunt, Ward 3. On the 27 verification with IEC for the upcoming 2019 September 2018. This was part of the National Elections. municipality commitment in promoting the principles of Batho Pele, specifically the Community members were invited to the commitment to the People First and Access to event as part of commitment to access the information by communities. This was a information. Various government sector follow-up to the Limpopo Provincial departments that included SASSA, SAPS, Government Batho Pele Day at Taaibosch, Department of justice and CD, Independent Maleboho on 22 March 2017, led by Premier Electoral Commission, GCIS, COGHSTA, Chupu Mathabatha. NYDA, Department of Water and Sanitation, Department of Home Affairs on the During the event at Spitspunt, Ward 3 Moutse applications, and Department of Social West, The honourable Mayor in her opening Development providing information and speech highlighted the importance of services on the spot. This include SASSA information sharing and that it is up to the registering beneficiaries and IEC registering community members to visit the different the residential addresses of community stalls to access the necessary information and members as provided in the Electoral Act.,

11 Private sector was not left behind as Banks youth development and special programmes, such as Standard Bank provided information the Indigents registrations and the central and opened accounts for community supplier database for Small, Medium members. Enterprises (SMEs) was also provided to the The Municipality also provided services such community members. as proof of residence letters which assist in the opening of banking accounts and applications for SASSA grants. Information on

12 SCENE AROUND LENS VIEW OF EPHRAIM MOGALE

Hon Mayor Cllr Bella Kupa celebrated her birthday with the aged in Ward 14.

Cllr Rebecca Lentsoane distributed Sanitary Towels Cllr Rebecca Lentsoane celebrated her birthday with at Ngwanakwena Secondary School as part of her birthday Early Child Centre in Ward 09 celebration

Cllr Hudson Mashoeshoe celebrated his birthday with young children at Rakgoadi Drop-In Centre Ward 11

13 SCENE AROUND LENS VIEW OF EPHRAIM MOGALE

Cllr Hudson Mashoeshoe celebrated his birthday with young children at Rakgoadi Drop-In Centre Ward 11

Municipal Manager Monica Mathebela led a team of municipal officials by cleaning Budget & Treasury, Infrastructure and Planning & Local Development Building as part of celebrating Mandela day and their contribution of 67 mitures

Community of Mmakgatle during Public Participation

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