Meet the Team That Delivers

Meet the team that delivers

STEVE TSHWETE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

hat makes the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality and its area of jurisdiction so unique? WOn many occasions, over years, this in- novative municipality and the citizens it serves have been cited as a sterling example for other municipalities in South Africa to Executive Managers emulate. Our most recent accolade is having been Managers Willie Fouché - Municipal Manager and Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng announced Cleanest Town and Champions Mahlangu. of the Vuna Awards in Mpumalanga. Willie Fouché - Municipal Manager and Executive Mayor, Standing: Frans Naude - Finance, Advocate Thobela Mekuto - Mantlhakeng Mahlangu. Corporate Services, Florence Phiri - Public Services and Edson Warambwa The Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Standing: Prudence Leshilo - Communications, Lindiwe Legabi - Gender & - Technical & Facilities. Mahlangu - the municipality’s first female Social Development, Themba Masango - Local Economic Mayor - heads the Council with six mem- Development, Thiesa Janse van Rensburg - Project Management Unit and Beatrice Maleka - Integrated Development Plan. bers of the mayoral committee and the Speaker, Cllr Thomas Mpye. Her commitment to serving the community led to here re-appointment as Mayor and she is serving her second term in office. The Municipal Manager, Willie Fouchè, heads up Administration, comprising of four departments headed by executive managers. These are: Technical and Facilities, Finance, Public Services and Corporate Services. Corporate Services Four managers also report directly to the Municipal Manager, namely, Intergrated Finance Alex Xulu - MMC for Administration, Human Resource & Audit, Willie Fouché - Municipal Manager, Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu Development Plan, Communications, Rehana Pilodia - MMC for Economic Development, Finance & Audit, Willie and Advocate Thobela Mekuto - Exec Manager : Corporate Services. Gender and Social Development and Local Fouché - Municipal Manager and Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu. Standing: Jan Victor - Snr Manager : Property Valuation, Noah Chauke - Economic Development. Standing: Frans Naude - Exec Manager : Finance and Elmarie Wasserman - Sen Chief : IT Services and Sam van Zyl - Dep Snr Manager : Human Resources. Manager : Finance.

Public Services Technical & Facilities Gert Stoltz - Snr Manager : Fire Services, Thoko Mabanola - MMC for Health, Social Services, Culture, Sport & Elfas Mathebula - MMC for Infrastructure Development & Service Delivery, Willie Fouché - Recreation, Willie Fouché - Municipal Manager, Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu and Municipal Manager, Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu and Edson Warambwa - Florence Phiri - Exec Manager : Public Services. Standing: Magareth Skhosana - Snr Manager : Health Services, Exec Manager : Technical & Facilities. Standing: Gert van Rensburg - Acting Chief : Solid Waste, Daleen Ahmed Seedat - Snr Manager : License Services, Pamela Mkosi - Snr Manager : Traffic Services, Shirley Xulu - Lambrecht - Snr Manager : Parks & Recreation, Meshack Mahamba - Snr Manager : Town Planning, Manager, Library Services (absent), Nomsa Masemola - MMC for Housing and Agriculture (absent) and Bongani Sharon Msebe - Chief : Municipal Buildings, Raymond Grunig - Snr Manager : Town Electrical and Mayaba - MMC for Traffic, Emergency, Transport, Safety and Security (absent). Rudolph Bouwer - Acting Chief : Civil Engineering. Mayor turns 50 olleagues, friends and family members joined to voice their good wishes to the Executive Mayor of Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu, who turned 50 on C 12 February. This is definitely an age which today’s generation can aspire to - in view of the short life span caused by diseases and reckless life styles. On this happy occasion, the 50-year old mayor used the opportunity to express her sincerest gratitude to her family, especially her mother and children for their on-going support and sacri- fices while she is away from home, serving the community. The ‘birthday girl’ went on to acknowledge the support and the opportunity given to her by the ANC to serve Steve Tshwete Local Municipality as Executive Mayor for two consecutive terms. The support of the municipal manager and his staff did not go unacknowledged, and she thanked them for their on-going support. Amongst other distinguished guests were the Executive Mayor of Nkangala District Municipality, Mr Speedy Mashilo, Mr and Mrs Joe Singh, a local businessman, pastors from various denominations, councillors and heads of departments from Steve Tshwete municipality. Happy birthday and may there be many more years to come. Right : The family : Left, Malindi Ntuli (sister), Salamina Nkosi (mother), Ndumiso Mahlangu (son), Mcedisi Mahlangu (son), Nhlakanipho Mahlangu (son), Owami Ntuli (nephew, in front of the mayor), Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu (centre), Aletta Thoku (shares the same day and year as the mayor) and Owogcina Ntuli (held by the Mayor’s mother). Below : A smile, a song and a dance! The Mayor shows dancing techniques with Municipal Manager, Willie Fouché, wishes the Mayor well at her colleagues during her birthday birthday celebration. celebrations.

Water Week CELEBRATED n 6 March this year, representatives mier, Thabang Makwetla’s Five Flagship projects, A brand new JoJo water tank was placed at Kwa- from the National Department of Water Water for All, Steve Tshwete Municipality has zamokuhle Secondary School during the celebra- O Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), in con- been successful in ensuring that every household tions, in an attempt to maintain the cleanliness junction with Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, has access to clean water. of water outlets at the school. assembled at Kwazamokuhle Secondary School, This achievement goes on to prove that the mu- National Water Week at Kwazamokuhle was (Hendrina), not only to celebrate 2009 National nicipality has also reached the ‘Millennium Goal’ celebrated with music, poems, dance and other Water Week, but also to look at ways and means of water for all. This also reflects the major role items which set a fun tone for the day. to secure this precious resource. played by the municipal water sector in closing With the vibrant theme, ‘Water is Life, secur- all the doors to ing the nation’s needs across generations!’- this communicable year’s campaign brought stakeholders in the diseases such as water sector together, to raise initiatives iro the cholera. importance and awareness of water issues. No cholera In her keynote address, Cllr Rehana Pilodia, a cases have ever member of the mayoral committee, emphasised been reported the municipality’s commitment to improving the in the Steve quality of life for all residents by enhancing ac- Tshwete mu- cess of basic water and sanitation services. nicipal jurisdic- The main objectives of this campaign included tion, due to the increasing awareness of government’s attempts cleanliness and to raise the constitutional right of all South Afri- integrity of its cans to have access to clean water and sanitation water resources and to raise awareness of the responsibility of and outlets. the citizenry in contributing towards long-term An inspection was conducted sustainability of water resources by curbing wa- Cllr Rehana Pilodia, ter wastage. of conditions demostrates how to fix a at the school’s leaking tap as a way of twelve In line with one of the forme Mpumalanga Pre- toilets. saving water. MASAKHANEMASAKHANE Steve Tshwete Local Municipality MAY 2009 Budget Indaba gets stakeholders talking

Executive Mayor, Executive Municipal Skhumbuzo Cllr Aphol Stroud. Cllr Thabo Cllr Rehana A representative Khuzwayo Xulu, Andrew Kgomu, Mantlhakeng Manager: Manager, Mtileni, repre- Skhosana. Pilodia, MMC for from the Pastors member of the Community Mahlangu. Finance, Frans Willie Fouché. sentative from Economic Devel- Forum. community. Development Naude. SALGA. opment, Finance Worker. and Audit. ollowing the decline in the global econo- the municipal staff, especially from the finance Budget, R47.7 million has been budgeted for my, the Steve Tshwete Municipal finance department, for understanding the pressures roads and storm water in 2009/10, R53.3 million F had prepared the 2009/10 budget within from politicians. She said that it is not always in 2010/11 and R54.7 million 2011/12. R19.5 million the context of a world economic crisis. Due to easy to please a politician who wants the best is budgeted for water networks in 2009/10, R17.6 this, it can be revealed that tougher days lie for the people. million in 2010/11 and R18.1 million for 2011/12. ahead. This and more was revealed at the 2009 During his presentation of the draft budget On Electrical Networks R63.3 million will be allo- Budget Indaba on 24 April which was held at the which will be effective from 1 July 2009 to 30 cated in the financial year 2009/10, R97.4 million Thusong Service Centre in Ext 7, Mhluzi. June 2010, Frans Naude, Executive Manager for 2010/11 while R102.6 million is put aside for The Budget Indaba is held annually where all Finance, at the Municipality, acknowledged that 2011/12. R7.9 million is also put aside for sanita- role players in the drafting of the budget meet tougher times lie ahead as the world economy tion in 2009/10, R9.7 million in 2010/11 and R13.3 to tackle issues which affect the local economy declines and is in a worse position than it has million in 2011/12. and other aspects of been in the past decades. When it comes to street lighting, R3.2 million peoples’ lives. In a bid to insulate local government from the is budgeted in 2009/10, R3.0 million for 2010/11 ❝We will not turn a The Budget Indaba full impact of the slow-down in national rev- and R3.3 million in 2011/12. deaf ear to calls from the is the final consul- enue, Naude said transfers to municipalities have The construction of sport fields and stadia has community when they tation stage with shown a growth in total government expendi- been allocated R2.0 million in 2009/10, R1.2 mil- stakeholders for ture. lion in 2010/11 and R0.8 million in 2011/12. ask for help. We acknow- drafting the Ta- The Steve Tshwete municipality was among 27 On the Key Operating Expenditure R195.7 million ledge the continuation of bled Budget for municipalities that drafted the content of the the upcoming is budgeted for electricity service, R64.9 million residents to pay monthly budget according to the new prescribed formats for corporate Service, R52.9 million for roads and ❞ financial year. for the 2009/10 financial year. rates at 101% Prior to this storm water, R55.3 million for waste and waste The Executive Mayor, stage, other As there are tough decisions to take, in the water management, R46.3 million for communi- Mantlhakeng Mahlangu. consultations 2009/10 financial year priority will be given to ty facilities and social services and R40.3 million were made with all the parties managing revenue streams (debtors), protecting for public safety. involved for public scrutiny. the poor from the worst impacts of the eco- The proposed drafted budget was also available nomic downturn, supporting meaningful local Advertisements for the proposed draft appeared on the municipal website until the end of April economic development initiatives that foster 2009. in various media, placed on public notices and micro and small business opportunities and job at other municipal facilities. The purpose of the creation, securing the health of the assets base The Budget Indaba 2009 was attended by busi- Budget Indaba is to create opportunities for the by increasing spending on repairs and mainte- ness representatives, politicians, educators, local community to comment and provide their nance and spending on capital projects funded religious leaders, municipal officials, members of views on the Tabled Budget as well as to cre- by conditional grants. the community and other organs of local gover- ate an opportunity for the local municipality to nance such as SALGA who congratulated the mu- highlight and explain issues On the Key Capital Expenditure in the Tabled concerning the budget. The MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC GOALS on the multi-year budget (three rolling budget) include Poverty Alleviation, Economic Growth and Devel- opment, Good Co-operative Governance, Financial Viabili- ty, Integrated Environmental, Social and Economic Spatial Planning and Service Delivery through cost effective and sustainable services. The Executive Mayor, Man- tlhakeng Mahlungu, thanked two South Africa.Meanwhile,theRiseandShinePre- for theBestCommunityEarlyLearningCentre in Learning Centre,whichwonaprestigiousaward noteworthy awards.Theyare:IKMakuse,Early Mhluzi werealsocongratulatedforscooping Two EarlyLearningCentresfromWard8in top tertiaryinstitutionsinGautengProvince. local schoolsweregrantedbursariestostudyat from thecommunity,afterfivestudents saluted forinvestinginthefutureofstudents On theacademicfront,OptimumCollierywas ing solutionstotheseproblems.❞ how arewegoingtocontributetowardsachiev- bers ofthecommunity,wemustaskourselves lenged thefullypackedcouncilsaying,❝asmem- abuse ofwomenandchildren;theMayorchal- era, socialillnesseslike crime,corruptionand Issues suchasHIVandAIDS,diseaseslikechol- for morethanadecadewereacknowledged. ish aldermenwhohadservedthemunicipality During thecouncilmeeting,loyalandunself- the mayorsaid. paign peacefullywithinourmunicipalareas,❞ respect therightsofallpartiestofreelycam- cratic right,withoutfearofintimidation.Letus where everyonecanexercisehisorherdemo- elections andhelptocreateapeacefulclimate democracy byexercisingourchoicefreelyinthe ❝Let usheedourPresident’scalltodeepen election. importance, suchasthecontestingofageneral the yearaheadcarriesactivitiesofparamount Mantlhakeng Mahlangu, addresses stakeholders. Executive Mayor, Mayor addresses C the ExecutiveMayor In herkeynoteaddress, cil chamber. on 26Januaryatthecoun- ordinary councilmeeting Municipality 2009’sfirst the SteveTshweteLocal community assembledfor and membersofthelocal sector, churchministers ous organsofthepublic Mahlungu, notedthat nicipality, Mantlhakeng of SteveTshweteMu-

sector andvari- Councillors, ouncillors, Ward

stakeholders pality toplaytheirrightfulpartsintheFIFA ing theresidentsofSteveTshweteMunici- The mayorconcludedheraddressbyencourag- projects -GreeningMpumalanga. mer Premier,ThabangMakwetla’s,FiveFlagship positive responsetooneofMpumalanga’sfor- this award,thepre-schoolhasdemonstrateda the GreeningofMpumalangaAward.Inwinning school broughthometheBestAchievementin Optimum Colliery supports Optimum Colliery F tions). tersrand, (Skosanaobtainedthreedistinc- Engineering attheUniversityofWitwa- who isstudyingforaBScdegreeinMining The fiveare:SthembisoPrudenceSkosana were selected. at veryshortnotice,andonlyfivelearners cannot affordtertiarystudies.Thiswasdone they assistthosehard-workinglearnerswho to help.Themunicipalityrecommendedthat Municipality foradviceastowhattheycando company approachedtheSteveTshweteLocal to givebackthecommunity,mining As partofOptimumColliery’sprogramme level. Hard work paysoff. SibonegileShongwe -OptimumColliery, LungaMandisa Lukhozi, SthembisoPrudenceSkosana, theExecutive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu, Portia Mandoyi, MartinMoengandThamsanqaMaseko.

liery tofurthertheirstudiesattertiary golden opportunitiesbyOptimumCol- ive localstudentshavebeenoffered

at Councilseating municipality. World, butofhowwecanbehospitableasa team’s performanceforthe2010FIFASoccer tant barometernotonly fortestingournational The ConfederationsCupisalsoseenasanimpor- the eventisexpectedtooffer. tournament andbenefitfromtheopportunities She saidpeopleshouldtakeadvantageofthe Confederations Cup,comingupinJunethisyear. Tshwete Municipality. of theirschoolheadsfromschoolsinSteve identified byOptimumCollierywiththehelp sity ofJohannesburg.Thefivelearnerswere now aBComFinancestudentattheUniver- Science andanAforLifeOrientation.Sheis English andAfrikaans,twoCSinMaths Portia MandoyiacquiredtwoBsymbolsin in AccountingattheUniversityofPretoria. ematics andiscurrentlydoingaBComdegree Thamsanqa MasekogotadistinctionsinMath- CS andtwoBSunderhisbelt. a BScinMiningEngineeringatWitswithfour Pretoria, whileMartinMoengisstudyingfor in ElectricalEngineeringattheUniversityof earned himabursarytostudyforBScdegree in MathematicsandComputerTechnology Lunga MandisaLukhozi’stwodistinctions

five learners

year whenaminingcompanyapproachedher She saidthiswasevidentinearlyJanuary Municipal jurisdiction. about thelevelofeducationinSteveTshwete attending theeventthatsheisconcerned On asombrenote,themayortoldstudents tion. competition receivedcertificatesofparticipa- pocketed R970.Otherschoolsthatenteredthe at 38.7%,andreceivedacertificate,trophy prehensive Schoolcamethirdinthecompetition trophy andachequeofR2750. MphanamaCom- 41.5%. Sofundawasrewardedwithacertificate, Second-placed wasSofundaSecondarySchoolat R4 300. awarded acertificate,trophyandchequeof tition at42.8%inIDregistrations.Theschoolwas was announcedtheoverallwinnerofcompe- ‘vibrations’ afterLDMoetanaloSecondarySchool The ThembaSenamelaStadiumwasfilledwith School andLDMoetanaloSecondarySchool. Agricultural School,KwazamokuhleSecondary sive School,SozamaSecondaryBeestepan nyane CombinedSchool,MphanamaComprehen- ary School,SofundaSecondaryTshwe- Bankfontein SecondarySchool,EkwaziniSecond- tion includedMiddelburgMineCombinedSchool, Some oftheschoolsthatenteredcompeti- fighter duringtheapartheiderawaskilled. langu, oneofthestudentleadersandafreedom ers, becauseonthatdayin1979,SolomonMah- pality saidhewashonouredtoaddressthelearn- mayoral committeefromSteveTshweteMunici- ela Stadium,ElphusMathebula,amemberofthe Affairs. SpeakingattheeventThembaSenam- also madepossiblebythedepartmentofHome The competition,whichwasheldon17April, Competition. the firsttimein2009SchoolIDRegistration F O the firstIDPRepresentative Forumon29Janu- Committee meetingheld on09January,and stakeholders includedthe firstTechnicalIDP Meetings andworkshopsheldrecentlywith current financialyear. they felttheirneedswerenotprioritisedinthe portunity toaddmoreissuesorneedsincase The communitywasfurthergrantedtheop- and wateronstands. New Town,issuesoflowcosthousing,toilets gration phaseincludedtheproclamationof Some oftheneedsidentifiedduringinte- cial planning. these strategiesinforminstitutionalandfinan- the IDPplansandstrategiesinabidtoensure Stakeholders hadtheopportunitytorefine Municipality. in themunicipalityhavecompetedfor Mayor, MantlhakengMahlangu,schools ollowing asuggestionbytheExecutive document fortheSteveTshweteLocal final inputsforthe2009/2010IDP n 18March,relevantstakeholdersgave Deepening democracy in IDP document document IDP approved ers howtogoaboutthevotingprocess. IEC officedemonstratedtothe18-yearoldlearn- Walter NdlovufromtheSteveTshweteMunicipal fairs, educatorsandprincipalsofvariousschools. nent wardcouncillors,officialsfromHomeAf- tion atSteveTshweteMunicipality,otherpromi- also attendedbyAlexXulu,anMMCforEduca- The 2009SchoolRegistrationCompetitionwas performance byschools. learners withinthemunicipalityfollowingapoor Disappointingly, itwasalongsearchtofindsuch in Mathematics,PhysicalScienceandAccounting. As arequirement,thelearnershadtoobtain60% could begivenstudybursariesfromthecompany. office andaskedhertoidentifyfivelearnerswho recent councilmeeting. Council approvedtheIDPDocumentat eties wereheldonabilateralbasis. A numberofconsultationswithothercivilsoci - IDP. presented andincorporatedintothe2009/10 projects fromtherespectivedepartmentsare ments on4Marchwiththeaimtoensurethat the regional,districtandprovincialdepart- Another consultativeworkshopwasheldwith cial year. that willbeimplementedinthe2009/10finan- projects inrespectofdifferentmunicipalities tional andprovincialdepartmentspresented Government) on17Februarywherethena- DPLG (DepartmentofProvincial andLocal A consultativeworkshopwasorganisedby Committee meetingwasheld. discussed. On4February,thesecondTechnical ary wherecommunityinputswerethoroughly

the youth Sofunda SecondarySchool received acertificat andcheque of Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu,Cllr Alex Xuluand members ofthemayoral committee, educators andlearners The ExecutiveMayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu,isjoinedby Cllr LindiweMahlanguafterclinching first position. They LD Moetanalo,Educator, shares amomentofjoywiththe from different schools asthey singtheNational Anthem. received acertificate andcheque ofR4300. position) receivedacertificateandcheque Mphanama SecondarySchool(third of R970fromtheExecutiveMayor, R2 750forsecondposition. Alex Xulu,MMC. Mahlangu, and Mantlhakeng

eleven A glorious day for the physically challenged uests from all walks of life were invited, tables were set, delicious G food was served while gospel music set the tone and mood for the day. All this and more happened at the presti- gious 2009 Premier’s Achievement Dis- ability Awards which were held at the Thusong Service Centre in Mhluzi Ext 7 in March this year. Amongst the guests who attended the event were officials from the Premier’s Office, representatives from Nkan- gala District Municipality, the Executive Mayor of Steve Tshwete Local Municipal- ity, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu, the Execu- The Executive Mayor with winners of different categories within the municipality and municipal officials. tive Mayor of Malahleni Local Munici- pality, Cllr Linah Malatjie, the Executive Mayor of Delmas Local Municipality, Cllr Moses Rapatsa, representatives from the Mpumalanga Youth Commission, men and women from the private sector, various organisations which represented the physically challenged groups and the former Mpumalanga Premier, Thabang Makwetla. In her speech to welcome the distinguished guests, Mahlangu indicated that these celebrations came a few months The former Premier Thabang Makwetla, presents the 2009 Best after December 3, the International Day Learner Award to Yvonne Mahlangu. The Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu with Yvonne Mahlangu. for Disabled Persons as designated by the United Nations, where the abilities of people with a disability all over the world DA Councillor LAID TO REST were celebrated. ❝On this day, and all other subsequent nce a Deputy Mayor of Middelburg, Cllr Michiel Brits days, we worked hard to ensure that we was laid to rest early this year after losing a battle to empower people with disabilities through O cancer. During his funeral service, Brits was described equal access and opportunities for every- by the Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu, as a com- one,❞ Mahlangu said. munity leader of great integrity, humil- ity and loyalty, who believed in taking a Mahlangu related a story from the Bible pro-active stance on issues. where Jesus explained to one of the dis- ciples that a child who was born disabled, ❝Councillor Brits won the respect of was in fact born thus, so that the power even his political opponents for his of God can be revealed through the child. honesty and for actively standing up Marie Brits pays her last respect to his husband. Later in the story the child was healed. for what he believed in. He was a true gentleman who treated all fellow councillors, municipal staff to the lowest employ- At the ninth Premier’s Achievement Dis- ee with the necessary respect,❞ said the Mayor. ability Award, Makwetla acknowledged the fact that the awards were held in the The late Michiel Brits. Brits was amongst the four councillors at Steve Tshwete Local Municipality who month of recognising human rights, also a were honoured as Aldermen for their loyal and dedicated services for over a decade. week after South Africans celebrated Hu- Brits served in the municipality for 13 years, including a term of office as a Deputy Mayor. man Rights Day. Members of the Democratic Alliance (DA), ANC (African National Congress), the newly formed Congress He also emphasised that as a province, of the People (COPE), officials from the Steve Tshwete municipality, SANLAM staff in Middelburg as well Mpumalanga wants to make sure that as pastors from various denominations came to pay their last respects. education for the physically challenged is Alderman Brits will be greatly missed in the local municipality as well as in the community. He is sur- provided at an early stage. vived by his The Premier Achievement Disability wife Marie, son Awards were divided into nine categories Jaco, daugh- which were the Best Disabled Activist, ter Janika and Best Community Builder, Best Educator, three siblings, Best Disabled Woman, Best Rehabilita- Hannes, Ian tion Worker, Best Disabled Learner, Best and Anne. May Sports Person, Best Local Municipality his soul rest in and Best Provincial Department. peace! Yvonne Mahlangu, a young learner from The Executive Mayor, Mantlhak- Tshwenyane Secondary School, wowed eng Mahlangu, Cllr the crowd after she was named as the Bongani Mayaba 2009 Best Disabled Learner, winning a and Alex Xulu pay their last respects. trophy, certificate and a R3 000 cheque. ten Aldermen honoured uring the first council seating this year, at least four councillors have been D branded the ‘municipality’s biggest assets’ following their loyal and dedicated services to Steve Tshwete Local Municipality for a period of over a decade. The Speaker of Steve Tshwete Local Municipal- ity, Rev Thomas Mpye and Councillor Alex Xulu, also a MMC for Admin- istration, Human Re- sources and Audit, were honoured as aldermen for having served the local municipality for fourteen The Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu, presents a certificate to The years respectively. Speaker, Rev Thomas Mpye, for 14 years service. Long serving Nkangala Alderman Alex Xulu receives a certificate for 14 District Municipality Chief Councillor Elsa du Toit, years service from The Executive Mayor, Whip, Chico Tshabalala Councillor Bongani May- Mantlhakeng Mahlangu. gives a message of support. aba and the late Council- lor Michiel Brits were also commended for giving thirteen years of excellent service to the municipality. One of the aldermen, Bongani Mayaba, started his career as a councillor at the tender age of 15 in 1996. During a visit to Mhluzi, the former President, Dr Nelson Mandela, also congratulated Mayaba as the youngest councillor in South Africa at that time. Currently Mayaba is MMC respon- sible for Traffic, Emergency, Transport, Safety and Security in Steve Tshwete Local Municipal- The Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu, presents a ity. certificate to alderman Elsa du Toit, for 13 years service. welcomed New Councillors The Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu, presents a certificate to alderman Bongani Mayaba who served for 13 wo new councillors were warmly welcomed at the second ordinary council meeting, held years. at the Steve Tshwete municipal council chamber on 26 March 2009. They are Ntombikay- T ise Jeanette Mahlangu of Ward 4 from the African National Congress (ANC) and Gerda Amoraal from the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Steve Tshwete Local Municipality. ILLEGAL Mahlangu has replaced the late Cllr Girly Mathebula while Amoraal has taken over from the late alderman, Michiel Brits as a Proportional Councillor. DUMPING OF Mahlangu was actively involved in politics before she joined the ANC in 2005 from the Pan African Congress (PAC). In the following year, she was elected as the chairperson of the ANC Woman’s League (ANCWL) in Steve Tshwete municipality. used tyres After more than 19 years working as an Educator, Mahlangu said she had acquired a caring per- sonality and as a result she promised the residents of Ward 4 loyal and dedicated service, and to he Steve Tshwete Municipality warns care of their needs. all those who are illegally dumping T used tyres on top of the roof at Ext 6 Presently teaching at the Middelburg Mine Combined School, she has plans to raise funds and taxi rank. establish food projects in a bid to fight hunger in her community. However, she still needs to ap- proach the Executive Mayor for approval of these plans. Please note: Perpetrators will be severely prosecuted. We also spoke to DA’s Gerda Amoraal, who joined the party in 2006 as an official member. She then became actively involved in the internal affairs of the party, where she served in the provincial legislature for two years as a Researcher and Media Liaison Of- ficer. The 21-year old councillor also promises the community of Steve Tshwete Municipality loyal and committed service. She said part of her daily work as a proportional councillor includes listening to community grievances and performing general council duties. ❝I believe in bringing change and that is Ward 4, Cllr Jaenette Mahlangu. Cllr Gerda Amoraal. ❞

what I am going to do, Amoraal promised. Used tyres on the roof of Ext 6 taxi rank. three Mayor visits schools ollowing recommendations by the Mpumalanga Department of Educa- F tion, municipalities in Mpumalanga had to visit learning institutions on the first day of school in 2009. Our Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu, paid an inspectional visit to a number of schools within the Steve Tshwete municipal jurisdiction The Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu on the first day of school this year, 14 January. encourages the pupils of Kwazamokuhle At one of the schools, the Kwazamokuhle Sec- Secondary School to work hard in 2009. ondary School, in Hendrina, the mayor was not impressed with learners who reported late for school on that crucial day. However, it was not all bad news: the mayor congratulated the school for successfully distrib- Library Week draws readers uting the stationary on time. The overall performance of the school was found to be unsat- arch 16 to 21 marked yet another im- A march from the satellite library in Mhluzi Ext 7 isfactory, after officials from the Department of portant event on the South African to the main library(Gerald Sekoto), was made by Education and the mayor were not impressed by M events calendar, the National Library ward councillors, members of the mayoral com- the (non-availability) of their matric results: the Week. mittee and the public who joined the Sofunda school’s matric pass rate could not be made fol- Drum Majorettes in the march for a good cause. lowing a delay by the Department of Education Public libraries across South Africa celebrated the to release results. annual event, where reading is highlighted and On the opening day of National Library Week, made fun. the Gerald Sekoto Library received more visitors Other schools which she visited included Ekwazi- than usual, including representatives from the The 2009 National Library Week theme, ‘Access ni Secondary School in Mhluzi, where Mrs Non- business sector who sponsored the event. Early for all’ highlighted that every human being has jabulo Mtsweni, the school’s Principal, said al- Readers Book store and Best Books donated new the fundamental right to access information as though they could not report on the matric pass books to the library. rate (for the same reason as in Kwazamokuhle well as the right to express themselves in every Secondary School), her school’s programme for way possible. Pick ’n Pay, Pep Stores, Diskondo, Kgapu Elec- trical Contractors, Mayebuthe Contractors and 2009 impressed the mayor, including the distri- The Gerald Sekoto public library of Steve Tsh- Ilifu Contractors, also supplied goods which the bution of stationery. wete Local Municipality was not left out of the library distributed as prizes in the various com- National Library Week activities. In some instances, the mayor had time to address petitions that were run during Library Week. the learners, encouraging them to do well in their academic work. Left: Florence Phiri, Executive Manager: Members of the Mayoral Committee from the Public Services, Cllr Thoko municipality also played a role, visiting other Mabanola and Shirly Xulu, schools in the region, especially the previously Chief: Library Services, disadvantaged schools. address patrons during Library Week. Below: Learners from Middelburg Mine Combined School during their visit to the Gerald Sekoto Public Library during National Library Week.

Teachers of Ekwazini Secondary School with councillors attending a inspectional meeting. four four reported. path fortheApril22election,asnoincidentswere The two-day‘special’electionpavedasmooth national votingprogramme. pregnant womenwereheldaspartoftheIEC lenged, aged,safetyandsecuritypersonnel elections, specialelectionsforthephysicallychal- Two daysaheadoftheNationalandProvincial the pollingstationsacrossmunicipality. and deployedmorethantwopoliceofficialsatall safety andsecurity,workingcloselywiththeSAPS The IECinSteveTshweteMunicipalityprioritised cratic rights. at variousvotingstationstoexercisetheirdemo- municipality ledbyexampleaftertheyshowedup Councillors andWardcouncillorsfromthelocal Bezuidenhout flats. tlhakeng Mahlangu,alsomadehermarkatPieter tive MayorofSteveTshweteMunicipality,Man- Steve Tshwetemunicipaljurisdiction.TheExecu- the thousandsofresidentswhovotedwithin Former PremierThabangMakwetlaaddedto cratic nationalandprovincialelectionson22April. point agovernmentofchoiceinthefourthdemo- P Cllr HarryKnoesenof ACDP makes hismarkatEastdene out innumberstocasttheirvoteap- Steve TshweteLocalMunicipalityturned eople acrossthelengthandbreadthof Community Hall. Elections Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangumakes hermarkat Pieter Bezuidenhoutvotingstation.

WENT WELL

DA Councillor, ElizeSwartsatKanonkop Laerskool.

[email protected]

(Communications Department) (Communications

Masakhane Masakhane

Contact Prudence Leshilo Leshilo Prudence Contact

newshound

on (013) 249 7054 or or 7054 249 (013) on 079 449 2461 2461 449 079

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nine Highlights of pre-elections DLAMINI-ZUMA’S VISIT BEARS FRUIT in March The recent visit to 2009. The Ward 4 in Mhluzi two presi- by the Minister dents were of Foreign Af- on a two- fairs, Nkosazana day visit in Dlamini-Zuma, Mpumalan- a member of the ga as part ANC NEC and the of the 2009 Working Com- general mittee, has pro- elections duced much fruit The media snaps ANC president, Jacob Zuma, at New Town, while the Execu- campaign. to help the local tive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu, ANCYL President, Julius Malema and Mpumalanga ANC Chairperson, David Mabuza, accompany him. They visited ANC branch to win New Town the Ward 4 by- in Mhluzi amongst other areas. Addressing the residents of Mhluzi at the elections. In early packed to capacity Themba Senamela Stadium, Zuma encouraged the The Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu, with Nkosaza Dlamini- Zuma, campaign door-to-door before the recent by-elections in Ward 4. February this year, people to cast their votes in the coming general elections. Dlamini-Zuma He told the masses that by voting they are actually creating an important joined the ANC branch in Steve Tshwete Municipality, where she assisted link between themselves and the government. the party in conducting their door-to-door campaign in Ward 4. Although some residents complained about certain aspects of service de- Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu, members of the mayoral livery, they assured Msholozi that they will go to the polling stations on 22 committee and other top ANC members, formed part of Dlamini-Zuma’s April 2009, to make their mark. entourage during the campaign. Some of the services the residents wanted to be improved included the The collective effort ended in a successful story on 4 March, when the poor road infrastructure and a speedy solution to the burning issue of toi- ANC won the highly contested Ward 4 in the by-elections. lets in New Town (Avalon). During her keynote address at Thusanang Primary School, Dlamini-Zuma Zuma also visited the Nkosi family in New Town, where he asked local encouraged party members to stand by each other when it comes to work- councillors to help the family’s daughter to get an ID book. related issues and put their personal differences aside. He also addressed the youths who came in numbers to see him, and en- She promised couraged them to invest in education. the masses an improvement in The ANC President also met with the business community of Steve Tsh- terms of service wete Municipality, where a ‘festival of ideas’ was held in a bid to try and delivery, which come up with ways and means of boosting the local economy. included better education, ANC MAKES A CLEAN SWEEP IN BY-ELECTIONS job creation The recent by-elections in Ward 4, Mhluzi, have demonstrated that the and improved people in this close-knit community of Mhluzi still have confidence in the health services. ruling party. This comes after the ANC managed to collect 92.7% in Ward She also en- 4. couraged ANC councillors to The Congress of the People (COPE) was second, with a total 6.3% votes. The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) came third with 0.95%. serve the com- The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma with the munity loyally. Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu, during the recent by-elections, Candidates for the three parties were Alfred ‘Daddyboy’ Choma for COPE, flanked by ANC supporters. ❝You must be Leslie John Cass for the ACDP and Ntombikayise Jeanette Mahlangu repre- loyal to the party and the nation and always remember the people who senting the ANC. sacrificed their lives and were also prepared to die for this freedom,❞ The highly contested Ward 4 became vacant after the ward’s former coun- Dlamini-Zuma concluded. cillor, the late Girly Mathebula, died in a car accident in December last year. MSHOLOZI CAMPAIGNS IN MHLUZI According to the Steve Tshwete Municipal IEC office, a total of 3 470 ANC President Jacob Zuma, together with ANC Youth League President, people registered for the 2009 March by-elections in Ward 4. Julius Malema, paid a visit to Mhluzi in Steve Tshwete Local Municipality However, only 848 people showed up at the voting stations. Of the 848 votes, 12 were reported spoilt votes. ANC president, Jacob Zuma, after addressing his supporters at Themba Senamela Stadium in Mhluzi. eight R20 million worth of projects handed over he Executive Mayor of Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, Mantl- to the them. The devel- hakeng Mahlangu, together with members of the mayoral com- opment of the centre is T mittee have approved more than eight projects and handed them not only a fulfillment over to the community within the local municipality. of promises made but to save costs for the On Friday 3 April, Mahlangu accompanied by members of the mayoral residents from traveling committee visited a number of communities within the Steve Tshwete 17kms to Middelburg to Municipal jurisdiction, where life changing projects were officially declared buy electricity, pay rent operational. and consult at the clin- With these projects, the local municipality aims to speed up services deliv- ics. The project amount- ery and create an environment in which future development can smoothly ed to R1.5 million. take place. Anglo Coal mine, donat- The municipality acted faithfully in implementing these projects, as was ed R600 000 while the promised during outreaches to the communities of Mhluzi, Hendrina and Mpumalanga Provincial Doornkop when members of these communities asked councillors to in- government contribut- crease and fine tune service delivery in their respective areas. The new library in the Thusong Service Centre. ed R600 000. The local Sufficient electricity for both current and future generations was supplied municipality filled the to ensure a better life for the people. It would appear that problems relat- shortfall of R300 000 in a bid to speed up the process of completing the ing to traffic congestion will come to an end, following the construction of centre. new roads, which form part of the manifesto’s during the outreaches. The Doornkop The following information details what has been achieved: Thusong Service Centre marks the ANOTHER THUSONG SERVICE CENTRE COMPLETED second project of Steve Tshwete Local developing such Municipality has just centres in Steve handed over another Tshwete Munici- state-of-the-art centre pality. Formerly in Doornkop, which known as Multi comprises of a modern Purpose Com- clinic, pay-point and munity Centres, library. the first ethnic modern looking The clinic has two con- The Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu, cuts the ribbon at the centre was devel- new clinic in Ext 6. sultation rooms and a oped in Mhluzi, Ext 7 in 2008. spacious waiting room. At another venue, the Executive Mayor Mantlhakeng Mahlangu handed Cllr Rehana Pilodia, assisted by Cllr Nomsa Masemola, at the Local residents will no official hand over of the Thusong Service Centre in Doornkop. longer have to come to a brand new clinic to the value of R2.5 million to the community of Ext 6, Manager Public Services, Florence Phiri, Cllr Andries Mabena Middelburg for health comprising of five conference rooms, a reception room, two consultation and Municipal Manager, Willie Fouché look on. services and gone are rooms, duty rooms, kitchen, the days of relying on a mobile clinic which comes once or twice a week. store room and toilets. The payment of rent and purchasing of electricity coupons will all be done In this practical and tan- at the new pay-point, located at the centre. gible way, the municipality A library is also available to learners in Doornkop, which has internet has brought better health services, and an 001-009 filing system to classify all the books. Adult Basic services to the people. Education and Training will also be conducted at the library in question. Other projects which the The Doornkop library has employed two qualified Librarians. Executive Mayor, accompanied by MMCs, handed over to the people were new roads and electrification of their houses in Door- The Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu and nkop, Tokologo and Kwa- residents take a sight seeing tour of the new clinic. zamokuhle. OVER 200 HOUSES ELECTRIFIED At least 244 RDP houses have been supplied with electricity at Doornkop, taking the burden of buying paraffin from people’s shoulders. The majority of the people have been relying on wood fires and paraffin stoves prior to the electrification of their Oh happy day! A jubilant community welcomes the new development at Doornkop Thusong houses. Service Centre with song at the handing over ceremony. Paraffin and At a special ceremony held on Friday 3 April at Doornkop, Cllr Rehana wood, as a Pilodia, a MMC for Economic Development, Finance and Audit, officially means of mak- handed over the centre to the excited community on behalf of the Execu- ing fires for tive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu. Relief was written on the people’s cooking have faces. been consid- Willie Fouche - Municipal Manager, Edson Warambwa - Executive In her keynote address, Pilodia told the community that the ANC led mu- ered highly Manager : Technical and Facilities and Cllrs Andries Mabena (right) hazardous to and Ntombikayise Mahlangu (front right), join Cllr Rehana Pilodia as nicipality, had promised a Thusong Service Centre, and had now brought it she switched on the lights at the Sibanyoni family home in Doornkop. five R20 million worth of projects handed over people’s health. An amount of R3.1 million has been invested in Doornkop recommended alone on electricity. The Department of Minerals and Energy assisted the not to exceed municipal electrical unit with R9.9 million. Steve Tshwete Local Municipal- 110km per hour ity contributed R2.1 million to the project. for safety reasons, is currently be- MORE OPTIONS TO GET TO TOWN ing tested on its performance and warranty. It also has a deck monitor to spray water and fire The Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu, is joined by fighting foam ap- managers and councillors as she hands over a R2.8 million, brand new proximately 30m fire engine to the community. in height, and a purpose-built chassis, making it lower in height and wider of wheelbase.

The Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu, flanked by happy road users during the official LIFE CHANGING PROJECTS LAUNCHED opening of the Bhimy Damane road which will now provide drivers with more options into the Two other projects that will impact positively on the lives of people in two CBD. developing com- Drivers in Middelburg and its environs have been anticipating the offi- munities within cial opening of new road in Bhimy Damane Street. The 650m road which the Municipality stretches from Mhluzi, provides easy access to the Central Business Dis- were officially trict. launched on 17 The R1 million road forms a Y-junction as it approaches the town. As the April 2009. two lanes split, drivers will have an easy option, especially during rush Some of the hours. The other lane joins Dr Beyers Naude Street, which heads straight promises that to the industrial area, while the second lane shoots swiftly into the CBD. were made to A pedestrian bridge to the value of R350 000 has also been constructed the people were along-side the road. fulfilled. It can be revealed that the historic pedestrian bridge which has been in This was evi- existence on the old road for many years, has been reserved in the interest dent at Kwa- of the town’s broad heritage. The new road offers comfort to other road zamokuhle Ext 7, where the Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu, officially users such as cyclists, with its wide pavements. opened a new road, which will also serve as a taxi route in the area. NEW TOILETS ENHANCE HYGIENE During her keynote address, Mahlangu told the excited residents of Kwa- zamokuhle that more service delivery is still to come. She said the local municipality will continue to service stands, sustaining lively hoods and creating decent, permanent jobs. On the issue of job creation, Mahlangu acknowledged the new development from Pick ‘n Pay, which has already created jobs in the area. She also focused on the future of the youth, saying young people should prioritise education in their lives, so that they are qualified to fill the local job market - which is currently dominated by outsiders due to lack of skilled labourers within the Steve Tshwete municipal jurisdiction. In closing her address, Mahlangu urged road users in Kwazamokuhle to take great care of their new road and report potholes to the municipal engineering department, which will attend to the problem in less than 30 The Executive Mayor, Mantlhakeng Mahlangu, cuts the ribbon at the new toilets. hours. The event of launching the new road in Kwazamokuhle Ext 7 was also at- The completion of new toilets at Kwazamokuhle taxi rank have brought tended by members of the mayoral committee from Steve Tshwete Munic- relief to the people. Hygiene is also expected to improve in the area as a ipality, Ward Councillors, the Municipal Manager Willie Fouché and mu- result of the new toilets. nicipal officials, Community This project has cost the municipality an amount of R120 000. Development Workers and the broader community. ANOTHER FIRE TRUCK FOR EMERGENCIES At this life changing event, The Steve Tshwete Local Municipality has purchased a new emergency Mahlangu also switched on vehicle. It is a major fire and rescue pumper, the first for Steve Tshwete some lights in the nearby Municipality. The other vehicles are medium fire and rescue pumpers. RDP houses. It carries 3 500 litres of water and 200 litres of foam concentrate. The water pump has the capacity to pump 6 000 litres per minute. The purchase Above: Executive Mayor, Mantlhak- price was R2.8 million. eng Mahlangu, cuts the ribbon at Kwazamokuhle, Ext 7, during the The double cab houses six fire-fighters with breathing apparatus mounted official opening of the road. into the seats which permits personnel to don the breathing apparatus whilst driving to the scene. Left: Joy is written on the faces of the Ndlovu family as the Mayor switches The vehicle is dual purpose, for fighting major fires and handling major ac- on the lights in their RDP house. cidents, being equipped with water and rescue equipment.

six The vehicle, which is able to reach speeds up to 160km per hour but is O ship project,whichis‘GreeningMpumalanga’. This willalsoformpartofformerPremierThabangMakwetla’sFiveFlag- and fighthunger. their bigyards,somethingwhichwillserveasaninitiativetoproducefood Mahlangu toldtherecipientsofstandstoplanttreesandstartgardensin the sameservicesastownshipareasatitscompletion.Inconclusion, However, shestressedthattheKwaMakalane village willbeequippedwith in abidtocreateanAfricanthemethevillage. The MayorencouragedthepeopletobuildtheirhousesinanAfricanstyle stands fromthelocalmunicipality. recipients ofstandsastohowtheycouldobtainformalownershipthe Acting Chief:HousingDepartment,NomaswaziSkosana,addressedthe no 74followedbyLeahMtsweniofstand76. The firstpersontoreceiveastandnumberwasJohannaMahlanguof the remainingwereattendedtobymunicipalofficials. Fourteen peoplewereofficially grantedstandnumbersbythemayor,while not expresstheirjoyastheystruggledtocomprehendwindfall. looked surprisedandshockedbythemove.Manyofrecipientscould It seemedtoogoodtobetruefortheresidentsofKwaMakalane, who to purchasethelandonwhichstandswereallocated. roads, andR5millionfortoilets.AnamountofoverR1wasdeployed ning alone,whileR1.2millionwasusedforwater,R2.2tarringof Makalane amountedtooverR10million.R1.1millionwasspentontheplan- Funding forthefirststageofprojectestablishingvillagesinKwa- municipality. The villagesareexpectedtobeestablishedinthemainlyruralareasof programme tocreateelevennewvillagesinSteveTshweteMunicipality. Stands forthecommunityofKwaMakalaneispartmunicipality’s prominent Councillorsandofficialsfromthemunicipality. Project since 2006. Kragbron Easter Rescue has beensponsoringthe Steve Tshwete Municipality Mantlhakeng Mahlangu. to theExecutiveMayor, certificate ofappreciation ect Leader, handsover a tion Manager andProj- Right: HennieSmit,Sta- project. Easter RescueHelicopter the 2009RadioKragbron from Tubular Holdingsof Mahlangu, withtheteam Mayor, Mantlhakeng Above: The Executive Radio Kragbron Radio event witnessedbyWard21Councillor,RinahSibanyoni,andother over onehundredstandstothecommunityofKwaMakalane, an n 17April,theExecutiveMayor,MantlhakengMahlangu,handed Hundred stands

Easter Rescue Easter Soccer WorldCup.❞ the planningstagesforanevenbigger2010project, toassistwiththe most comprehensiveofthe16projectsIwaspart of.Wearealreadyin Says HennieSmit,StationManagerandProject Leader,❝Thiswasthe Mall). less, LifeCosmosHospital,KlipfonteinTowing and Pick&Pay(Highveld Anglo Coal,BHPBilliton,OptimumandShanduka Coal,ColumbusStain- African Concessions,EmalahleniandSteveTshwete LocalMunicipalities, On behalfofthebroadercommunity,wethank thesponsors:Trans from SundratoMachadadorpandtheN11 MiddelburgtoHendrina. patrols ofroadsfromtheBalmoraloff-ramptoMachadadorp,N12 medics flownin.TheRadioKragbronRescuehelicopterconductedaerial response ensuedbytheProjectRescuehelicopter,withdoctorsandpara- In anaccidentonFriday10April,theGoedehoopCollieryroad,aquick Van Dyksdriftroads. boundaries, theoldMiddelburgroad,AngloCoalGoedehoopCollieryand teams respondedineMalahleniandSteveTshweteLocalMunicipaltown fewer serious call-outs outside of the designated routes, where the rescue The 2009RadioKragbron-initiated’RescueProject’,wasdistinguishedby dents. alleged hi-jackingattempts,speedingandotherlawenforcementinci- pedestrianaccidents.Theremainderincludedtwo were forvehicleand/or All inall,23call-outswerereceivedoverthesix-dayperiod,17ofwhich langa overtheEasterweekend. contribution tothedecreasednumberofseriousaccidentsinMpuma- T Johanna Mahlanguwasthefirst resident toreceive acertificate ofownership ofherstandfrom

handed over and responsevehiclesattheTRACN4tollgatemadeapositive to roadsafety.Highvisibilityofsomanyemergencypersonnel he 2009EasterRescueprojecthasonceagainmadeadifference the ExecutiveMayor.

Project

seven