www.stlm.gov.za 1st and 2nd Edition 2018/19 013-249-7000 [email protected]

NEWS Municipality advancing to be a Smart City

The Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo • Two Parks in Mhluzi, and Rockdale 3 took over reigns of this Local Municipality were developed at a cost of after his political organisation, the ANC R2 million. deployed him in this position and was • Sports facilities at Rockdale and SERVICE DELIVERY offi cially inaugurated on 25 May 2018. Mhluzi were constructed at Since taking over offi ce, a number R3 million. Roads and Storm-Water of programmes and projects have been • Cemeteries in Kwazamokuhle delivered, turning this Municipality into a were developed at a cost of construction across the working site. R2 million. Local Municipal’s area • Middelburg landfi ll site was Masakhane News takes a closer look developed at a cost of R6 million at some of the Executive Mayor’s • Designs of the Somaphepha achievements on his fi rst 200 Days in MPCC at R1 million. offi ce. • Renovations at Themba Senamela Stadium at a cost of Roads and Storm Water R2 million.These included • Tarring of 7.9km urban roads in fencing and a tennis court. 6 Middelburg, Hendrina, Kwazamokuhle • Upgrading of the Hendrina and Presidentsrus, at a total cost of Waste Transfer Station at a cost R58 million. of R171 000.00. PARTNERSHIP • Resealing of roads in Ext 2, Mhluzi. • Fixing of potholes throughout the Local Economic Development Municipality. • Through the Expanded Public New Community Clinic to • Installation of storm water drainage to the Works Programme, 600 jobs were be constructed soon tune of R765 000.00. created. • Construction of pedestrian and taxi • Development of Node D has walkways. started. This is an industrial park • Roads and Storm Water in Rockdale, in Mhluzi Extension 23 which will Tokologo, Kwaza Ext 2 and 4 at a cost of house SMMEs that do not have proper R27 million. facilities to conduct their businesses. • Tarring of a 1,2 km road in • 1100 Jobs were created and maintained Kwazamokuhle. through the Community Works Programme. Electricity • Enza Training Academy was recently 24 • Installation of street lights and high masts launched and approximately 350 young in various places. people will be trained in accredited construction related skills. SPORT Water • Donation of land for the construction • Construction of a new Water Inlet of the Regional hospital which Paul Mthimunye Big Walk network at Boskrans Waste Water has created a window of business a big hit Treatment Plant at a cost of R50 million. opportunities for local entities and job • Construction of a water reservoir in creation. Kwazamokuhle Extension 9, to the value • In partnership with MEGA, we of R300 000.00. facilitated the establishment of a Galitos • Upgrading Water networks and sanitation outlet in Mhluzi. in Hendrina at cost of R1, 4 million. • Facilitated the establishment of a Rabbit breeding project through MEGA Municipal Buildings and Parks and we are contemplating to expand that • We completed the Extension 7 pay project to include an Abattoir. point at a cost of R400 000.00 after the • The Rothomeg Bakery was also 35 Extension 5 pay point was burnt down. established with the help of MEGA. Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo. NEWS

NEWS BITES

Council declares war on illegal waste sites Following a series of public outcry about illegal waste dumping sites, Greetings to all our community As things stand, our Municipality the Municipality has condemned members within our Municipality. It doesn’t have serious problems and and issued a stern warning against is humbling to be able to interact and challenges with regards to service this practise. communicate with you, especially on delivery. The only challenge that we The Municipality’s Spokesperson, issues of service delivery. are faced with is that our infrastructure Ms Prudence Magutle said the Let me start by saying that as a Local is ageing. When we took over this Municipality will no longer tolerate Municipality tasked with delivering basic Government in 1994, we inherited along, this practise as it infringes with services to our communities, we are an infrastructure that had been there for other people’s rights and their indeed on the right path and within the the longest time. health. National Development Plan’s Vision 2030. For instance, our water pipelines are “We have placed notice boards to The journey to shape the future of this very old and from now and again we discourage this practise,” she said. Municipality into a leading, vibrant and experience bursting, which then leaves our To formally lay complaints against ‘Smart City’ has already begun. people without water. this illegal practise, simply contact The decision to embark on this journey Our long term plans are to replace our 013-249-7024 or 249-7057. was informed by a bold ambition on the 28KM pipeline altogether with new and part of the leadership and management modern ones. Good luck to the Class of ‘18 of the Municipality to create a desired Again, the only challenge is that to The Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi future in which Steve Tshwete Local replace them will cost us a lot of money, Tolo has welcomed news that Municipality becomes a destination of and this may lead us not to be able to the writing of the 2018 Matric choice and a successful place that fulfi lls replace them all at once but we are already examination has ran smoothly the dreams and aspirations of its people. working towards a permanent solution. without any glitches and incidents. Creating a desired future is about But with that said, I am happy to And he is adamant that the learners building a common vision that enables announce that our people are able to within the Municipality will come cohesion in planning and delivery, and receive this scarcest resource, which is up tops during the announcement sparks faster and more integrated action clean running water on a daily basis. of the results scheduled for January across Municipal Departments working Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo. Our people would be happy to know 2019. together with communities, stakeholders, that all our roads, except those in new “As a Municipality, we hosted prayer and investors to address the demands of better. settlements and farms have been tarred. sessions meant to encourage our growth and the needs of communities. By the year 2030, we would love to Those that are in farm areas, we have a learners before they started with A common Vision 2030 enables the have gone digital and became a Smart plan to fi x them. their exams and we are con dent Municipality to get a strategic handle City. And operating as a Smart City, the As a Government of the people, we have that they have done well like they on service delivery and development desired future will be shaped to achieve listened when the people of Hendrina and have been proving over the years. by undertaking long-range planning, quick and sustainable service delivery and surroundings spoke to us about not being However, with that said, we would mobilizing investment, and governing development. treated equally compared to communities like to encourage those whose within Middelburg. I am happy to say that names will not appear to try again we have just extended and intensifi ed our next year and this time work extra services to Hendrina and Kwazamokuhle. hard,” said Tolo. We have recently completed and handed over serious projects in that area such as Steve Tshwete Community Housing, Storm Water, Roads and Water encouraged to listen to local Reservoir. Radio Stations We will continue to do everything in our Steve Tshwete community is being powers to bring them into the plan and encouraged to listen to the Local try and show them that they are part and Radio stations, Kosmos Stereo, parcel of the Municipality. Kragbon, Ikwekwezi FM and other On our Local Economic Development national Radio Stations on various plans, we will be concentrating our topics of service delivery daily. resources in the Inclusive Economy, Social media page will be published Spatial Transformation, Township very soon and it will also be used to Economy and Urban Renewal and Safe update the community on service and Clean City Campaigns. delivery issues. We want our people, especially those in the townships and the youth to be No open res allowed benefactors of the economy. We want to The Municipality and the Greater create equal opportunities for everyone to Middelburg Fire Protection participate in the economy. Association have put a ban against any re operations within the MASAKHANE NEWS Municipal and its surroundings. The ban prohibits the making of Tel: res in the open air, but if such a re 013-249-7054 has been made, allow it to continue Fax: to burn or add fuel thereto, other 013-243-2550 than: Email: • Fires made within a demarcated [email protected] picnic or camping area or Caravan [email protected] Park, or holiday resort, but only at places within such an area which Website: have been speci cally prepared www.stlm.co.za and maintained for that purpose, provided that such res are properly Address: PO Box 234 extinguished with water or sand. Middelburg 1000 • Fires for the preparation of food on 123 Madiba Drive residential stands Middelburg • Fires made on residential and industrial stands in proclaimed CONTACT US townships (written approval must be obtained from the local council’s Editor-in-Chief: Fire and Rescue Service). Prudence Magutle • No person in this time must destroy by burning any timber Editorial Team: Lerato Kgomo plantation or self-sworn exotic trees or alien invasive plants. PUBLISHER Published, printed and distributed by the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.

2 Steve Tshwete Local Municipality NEWS

With technology and the digital era each other. But the diff erence was that taking centre stage around the globe now, some Municipalities were declared Smart Steve Tshwete Local Municipality could because they are using bicycles, others soon become the fi rst Municipality and for using technology and others were Governmental institution in the Province given that status because their eco-system to go digital and become a ‘Smart City’. is climate friendly, but at the end of the Smart City is a term referred to day all of these Municipalities were Municipalities that use technology to off er, competing against each other, but they are speed up and enhance service delivery. not the same. This simply means that each A vision of the Municipal Manager, Mr and every Municipality can decide on Bheki Khenisa, turning the Municipality their own as to which route they want to into a Smart City could have great benefi ts take in order for them to become a Smart and rewards for community members City,” said the Professor. within this rapidly growing Municipality. During this workshop, six commissions To put plans into motion this were set up and tasked to look at how Municipality hosted a Smart City they can make the Municipality Smart. workshop in Middelburg, with the main The commissions also looked at how the aim of acquiring fi rst-hand knowledge Smart City concept is going to be funded from other big Cities who are already and how it can deliver improved services. using technology to off er services to their Some of the commissions’ resolutions respective communities. were that for the Municipality to fund These Municipalities included delegates the Smart City, various forms of funding from the Cities of Johannesburg, Cape ought to be looked at. One of the common Mr Aongola Mufana, IT Specialist from City of Town and Tshwane respectively. The denominator was the Public Private Tshwane. Cities of Ethekwini and Ekurhuleni were Programme’s Director for the sessions, Partnership, borrowing and grants. also invited. Mr Blake Mosly-Lefatola. “This move could have great benefi ts Amongst other prominent delegates, the for the Municipality and our communities. workshop was attended by representatives and other services a bit easier for our With this programme we would be in a from the GIZ and Vodacom. people. We want to make life easier, position to know how programmes such Municipal Manager, Mr Bheki Khenisa better and safer for our people, while at as Solid Waste operates. said going digital could have enormous the same time improving our capacity “As things stand, we don’t know how benefi ts for both the Municipality and the and performance when rendering our many dustbins are being collected or communities they serve. services,” he continued. whether they have been indeed collected. “When reviewing our service delivery Khenisa argued that with the use of “The Municipality is not able to strategies, we have looked and considered technology, community members would determine the amount of a number of items and one of those was to be able to not only pay for their rates and resources that it puts have a thorough look into being a Smart taxes, but also report broken and leaking into collecting these City. water pipes and drains from wherever dustbins or whether “The fi rst thing that we have done is to they are. we are collecting have called and invited all the role players “Just imagine you come across a enough waste from around the Country to come and help pothole or a leaking water pipe and to justify going us look into turning the Municipality into broken drain, all you need to do is take to the same a Smart City. a picture and send it to us and we would area twice,” “We wanted to learn and understand the be able to quickly attend to that problem. he concluded. things to make us a Smart City. Our main But as things stand now, it takes us hours concludedicipal objective with this entire exercise is to before we know of problems in our Manager, simply make the lives of our people and communities,” pointed out Khenisa. Mr Khenisa. clients easier and we strongly believe that This Municipality is currently sitting at turning into a Smart City is one way of 95% collection rate, which in turn makes doing exactly that. This could have great it easier to be able to off er better and benefi ts for all of us,” said Khenisa. quality services. Khenisa went on to state that once they “This high collection rate is because go digital, community members would we always try our outmost best to make it be able to buy and pay for their rates and easier for people by communicating with taxes using just the click of the button them. from the luxury of their homes. “We want them to be able to pay their “It pains us to expect our people to rates and taxes even if they are on holiday always travel from far and be subjected and this is the reason why we are saying to long queues whenever paying for their let us move into a Smart City. We want it rates and taxes. We thought it’s about to be easier for our people to access our time we made paying for rates and taxes services wherever they are without having to physically come to our offi ces,” he explained. “We want to put community members at the centre and let them run their own Municipality because we want to keep them happy and satisfi ed with our services all the times, but we expect them to play their own part as well by continuing to pay for their rates and taxes,” he said. During the workshop a number of invited speakers and experts took the podium where they shared their expertise with the Municipality. During his presentation, Professor Rura, warned that since the Smart City concept is a new concept altogether, and is still something that is being experimented upon, and therefore, there’s a great need to tread carefully. “There aren’t actually any standards when it comes to being a Smart City. Just recently, there was a Smart City conference in Barcelona where a number of Municipalities declared as Smart Cities, competed against Professor, Daniel Irurah of Wits University. Municipal Manager, Mr Bheki Khenisa. Steve Tshwete Local Municipality 3 NEWS

Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo gets ready to o cially opens roads in Kwazamokuhle, Hendrina. An engineer shows Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo how water treatment plant works in Hendrina.

During his State of the Municipal Address, the Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo announced that he will extend and intensify the Municipal services to the communities of Hendrina and Kwazamokuhle, respectively. He made this announcement following public outcry by the communities of Hendrina that they were not being considered part of the Municipality. And on 21 September, the Executive Mayor together with Council members embarked on a roadshow in Hendrina where he delivered a number of completed projects such as housing units and roads and Storm Water. The projects in Hendrina were part of the R68 million earmarked for the 2018/19 fi scal years. During this roadshow, Tolo offi cially unveiled and opened his new offi ces in Hendrina, where he committed to visit once a month. “This is a very great day, because I am offi cially introducing myself to the community of Kwazamokuhle, Hendrina, because ever since I was deployed here, I have never formally came to this area. And so today, I am here to meet and interact with the people and to offi cially Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo and Members of the Mayoral Committee test drive the new Mayoral o ce in Hendrina. They are from left, Cllrs Sonto Malapeng, open my new offi ce here. This symbolises Catherine Mkhuma, Johan Matshiane, Elizabeth Mnguni, Mondli Kgalema and Robert Xaba. our commitment as Government of the people to bring our services closer to the going to do everything in our power The community of Hendrina have “Well, it’s a good start that the people. to help them move out from poverty been vocal about their dissatisfaction Executive Mayor has decided to set “We want the people here to feel that by off ering quality and best services. of being treated like a ‘step child’ to up base here. It shows that we are now they are part and parcel of us and they are We want to tell them that as long as Middelburg. They argued that they being taken seriously and as part of the as important as the people of Middelburg. they keep on paying for their services, wanted to feel part of this Municipality M unicipality. We will now know where “I want to reassure the people of the Municipality we also keep on and the Executive Mayor, Tolo has to take our grievances to, because we Hendrina and Kwazamokuhle that we supplying quality services to them,” given them just what they have been have our leader here,” said Mr Genius are their dependable allies and we are said Tolo. longing for. Molo, a community member.

Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo hands over Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo is joined by Council Speaker, Cllr Andries Mabena and MMCs, Cllrs Johan Matshiane, Catherine Mkhuma, Sonto Malapeng and a power station. Elizabeth Mnguni and PR Councillor, Musawenkosi Masina. 4 Steve Tshwete Local Municipality Thursday July 19, 2018 | Mpumalanga News NEWS Advertorial NEWS Steve Tshwete Municipality moving ahead with economic development Steve Tshwete Local Municipality is launching the clean and safe campaign, determined to focus on their inclusive wherein they will install CCTV cameras economy, spatial transformation, township in the streets and townships in order to economy, urban renewal and safe and clean increase their fi ght against crime. city campaign for the next three years. “As we enter our new fi nancial year, According to executive mayor, Cllr the country is faced with enormous Bagudi Tolo, “We are the home of the economic challenges where VAT has largest stainless steel factory in the country increased by 1% after many years. Prices and many coal mines and three Eskom of basic commodities, including fuel, power stations. For many years we have have increased. It is economic turmoil been relying on exporting our bulk raw because early this year the Optimum material to other places and countries. There coal/Glencoe debacle propelled the is an initiative to expand the current steel municipality to take diffi cult and abrupt incubator, Mpumalanga Stainless Initiative, fi nancial decisions where we had to foot to develop more businesses in the fabrication a bill of approximately R20 million to of steel and metal to produce fi nished rescue the water supply situation for products. As a municipality, we have made Kwazamokuhle and Hendrina residents, land available for this initiative. but the situation has normalised. “The expanded programme will include a “Our Integrated Development Plan, as welding facility and an artisan development approved in June, was developed from programme. We will continue to maintain consultative meetings with residents, a healthy relationship with business business and community representatives, so that we can broaden the economic government departments and other activities to include other sectors that have stakeholders. The residents informed been neglected before, like tourism and us of their concerns about affordable agriculture,” he said. residential accommodation, the Tolo further referred to their aged availability of potable water, electricity, infrastructure, basic sanitation and quality roads, as well into which he said as addressing the scourge of poverty, they will make Our Integrated Development HIV and AIDS. key investments Plan, as approved in “The political priorities for the national by upgrading and provincial spheres of government electricity, water June, was developed from also supported the concerns. Substantial and sanitation consultative meetings information from the process, as well infrastructure so it as input from our communities, had can cope with the signifi cant bearing on the fi nal product demands of their investors. being presented here today. Like all “We will take advantage of the Maputo other public institutions, the problem Development Corridor as more industries of limited resources versus the ever- such as motor workshops, hotels, overnight Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo. increasing needs of society remains a bulk carriers and stopping-over places will challenge that always requires skillful be required. We will also upgrade our sports “As a municipality, we have reviewed the create the necessary commercial base to consideration. The municipality has facilities, parks and recreation and other Spatial Development Framework. We are support the wonderful array of independent strived to utilise all its fi nancial and community amenities to make it easier to get currently busy developing precinct plans retailers, restaurants and service providers in administrative capacity to achieve its to our municipality, whether to visit, work or in order to revitalise our CBD. By bringing our CBDs for decades to come,” he added. mandates on these priorities,” concluded start a business. more people to live in the CBD, we will Tolo says the municipality will soon be Tolo.

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality 2018/2019 Medium Term Budget

Total budget for the 2018/2019 fi nancial The following constitute the key budget The municipal allocation in terms of the year – R1,9 billion – a balanced and fully focus areas equitable share increased by funded budget R23 million from R156 million to • Cost reductions to ensure affordable tariffs R179 million, which is used to Presented by executive mayor, Cllr • Social support to those residents who provide relief to indigent households Bagudi Tolo, who indicated; “This is a cannot afford to pay for services at approximately R12 million per very tight budget aimed at ensuring that • Continuous infrastructure development to month. Infrastructure grants amount to levels of revenue are maintained to ensure upgrade ageing networks, as well as the R65 million and transfers to build and continuation of current basic service in maintenance thereof enhance capacity in local government line with the guidelines issued by the • Intensifi cation of job creation activities amounts to R2 million. Over the next National Treasury in the 2018/2019 Budget through the implementation of capital three years the municipality plans to Circular.” projects, the expanded public works spend R1,1 billion on various capital programme and the launch of the township programmes, as informed by the IDP. This Medium Term Budget is linked economy strategy to the IDP and indicates the direction • Good governance and clean administration; The key capital expenditures among the the municipality is navigating to in • Continuous efforts to ensure high collection various functions of the municipality for achieving the following goals of debt. the 2018/2019 fi nancial year are

• Provision of sustainable, accessible The total budget is R1,9 billion and • R59 million for roads and stormwater basic services to all the breakdown is as follows infrastructural development • Provision of a safe and healthy • R77 million for electricity infrastructural environment • Operational expenditure - R1,5 billion development • Promotion of economic growth and • Capital projects - R374 million • R24 million for sewerage purifi cation and job creation • Infrastructure maintenance - reticulation • Promotion of good governance, R89 million • R80 million for governance and revenue by means of proposed rates and organisational development and • Capital budget for renewal of existing administration tariffs of R80 million be sought to balance sustainability. infrastructure - R93 million. • R37 million for community facilities and the budget. public safety • R44 million for water infrastructural The new tariff adjustments to fully development recover costs are • R24 million for refuse removal. • 6,1% average increase for sewerage Tariff increases • 6,84% average increase for electricity. This will change in accordance with In order to continue providing sustainable (NERSA) determinations. services, the municipality should be in a • 6,3% average increase for refuse position to cover costs associated with the removal. provision of services. In this regard, some • 6,9% average increase for property cost drivers may necessitate increases above rates. Consumer Price Index. • 9,4% average increase for water. It is on that basis that tariffs are reviewed in order to ensure suffi cient cash is “There will always be challenges and generated to remain focused on effective our needs remain many, but our resources service delivery that is economical and are unfortunately limited. As an ANC-led equitable to all communities. municipality, we remain committed to Tariffs for services must be cost-effective. running a clean, accountable and effective It was therefore necessary that additional administration,” concluded Tolo.

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality 5 SERVICE DELIVERY IN ACTION

The scarcity of water has forced the Municipality to concentrate its resources by looking at a number of measures to address this scourge. And in addressing this challenge, the Municipality has built a water reservoir to supply clean running water to the community of Kwazamokuhle Extensions 8 and 9 respectively. This reservoir will service a number of new business development and RDP housing units in the above mentioned sections. The Municipal Spokesperson, Ms Prudence Magutle confi rmed this investment but mentioned that the reservoir is currently still empty but water is defi nitely coming. “The water reservoir to supply Steve Tshwete Local Municipality has Rockdale Nkandla. Mhluzi potable water to the community of spent over R58 million on roads and “That is where we actually need the tar The Municipality appointed Kwazamokuhle Extension 8 and 9 Storm-Water construction in communities road because cars are getting stuck when it Buzaphi Construction to upgrade the has been completed and as soon as all within its jurisdiction. is raining,” commented Sibanyoni. road from a gravel to tar road and other logistics have been dealt with, it These areas included Kwazamokuhle, Tumelo Tshima learner at Phumelela drains were also built to absorb high will start supplying these communities Hendrina, Middelburg and Mhluzi. High School echoed, “It was very stressful water during the rainy season. This with clean running water,” confi rmed Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo said, using this road to school during rainy is a good and quality road whose life Magutle. “Roads construction and maintenance season because it used to be very muddy span is expected to be more than 20 She said the Municipality will is one of the basic services which our and slippery, but now all that is a thing of years. ensure that the newly developed areas Municipality prioritises. The challenge we the past.” The Municipality also spent have suffi cient domestic water supply. encounter is that 50% of the Middelburg This access road was started in May R3, 2 million towards the “The Municipality is doing all it can area has a problem with underground and completed in June. The Rockdale reconstruction of Baloi Street in to ensure that once the reservoir is up water. Places like Mhluzi particularly, Ext community was struggling to access their Mhluzi, Ward 19. This street was and running, water will no longer be 8 and Cowen Ntuli in Middelburg Town homes because this road was dusty and in upgraded from pavement to the tar an issue for these communities. We have a high problem of underground a very bad condition. road, covering the total length of 459 are actually working around the clock water because it is a wetland area. Roads They were also experiencing fl ooding m. to make sure that all processes are constructed on wetland areas get damaged during rainy season which made it diffi cult Tshepo Mnguni commented after accelerated so that the aforementioned easily and this causes a major setback to travel in this area. completion and said, “The pavement communities start enjoying and because part of the budget has to be road was very old and damaged, accessing clean running water. The allocated for maintenance.” Middelburg (Ext 18) it was diffi cult to reach our homes Municipality will keep in touch and In Ext 18, R7, 8 million was allocated because there were no drains to inform these communities of any latest Middelburg (Aerorand) for constructing Ganet, Onyx, Mica and absorb water when it rains. However, developments surrounding this issue,” Streets amounting to R18 million Spinnel Streets, covering a total distance since this new road is built, it is much said Magutle. were constructed in Aerorand, Ward 12, of 1211 m. easier to access our homes.” Magutle further stated that apart covering the length of 3845m for the from the two mentioned extensions, following streets: Jukskei, Umzimvubu, other areas which currently experience Mooi, Nassob, Vetrivier, Valsriveir, water shortages will also benefi t from Pinnaarsriveir, Grootvies and Diep. this scheme once it is up and running. Middelburg (Rockdale) Sibanyoni Trevor, taxi operator from the NTD, could not hide his excitement about the new development in Rockdale. “We are very happy about the new access road built by our Municipality. “This has helped us because it was very diffi cult to travel during rainy season in this area, especially next to Phumelela High School. Cars were getting stuck there in the mud because there were no drains to absorb water but now it is easy to access Rockdale Ext 1. “However, we appeal to the Municipality to consider building a tar road which will cover the taxi route which connects with the road it has built, this road should cover Rockdale Ext 2 to

The Municipality will soon offi cially currently fi ve pay points where pre- contractors have been hired, we will be Motors in Mhluzi Township and open six new pay-points in various areas. paid electricity can be bought, whilst able to start installing the vending points Bluesand at Tosca Café. This, according to the Council Hendrina has one. in these identifi ed areas,” said Magutle. The Municipality has urged customers Spokesperson, Ms Prudence Magutle is “The Municipality is trying by all Besides Hendrina, other areas to register online to buy prepaid the Municipality’s attempt in bringing means to bring services closer to the identifi ed are Groenkol, Rockdale, electricity without any hassles of queuing services closer to the people. people and hence these planned pay Nasaret, Kwazamokuhle, Mhluzi and the and pay points being off -line. She said a second pay point will also points offi ces. industrial area at the mall. “We will continue to identify be opened in Hendrina to accommodate “We are currently in the process Middelburg’s existing points include possible vending points for consumers’ the ever growing number of people and of compiling bid specifi cations Total Kruger Park Garage, Maranatha satisfaction. We want to ensure that clients in the area. tender document for prepaid vending Engine Garage, Burger’s Garage in all our clients enjoy and are spoilt for In Middelburg alone, there are points and once fi nished and suitable Hendrina, Midwater Engine, Mukweho choice,” she concluded.

6 Steve Tshwete Local Municipality SERVICE DELIVERY IN ACTION

In a bid to address the housing backlog, the Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo handed over new RDP houses to local residents of Somaphepha Village. The fi rst 100 housing units have already been completed and handed over to rightful owners, whilst the other 200 units are still in the process of being fi nished. A number of senior citizens who previously didn’t have proper houses, benefi ted from this project. “I am over the moon. I actually didn’t think I would live to see this dream come to manifest.

“I am over the moon. I actually didn’t think I would live to this dream come to manifest”

“I have been living with my grandchildren in a shack which was in no condition for a human being to The Municipality responded to Tokologo live in. I am forever thankful to my the water and fl ooding nightmare in R4, 1 million was allocated for Government for fi nally delivering,” Mhluzi, Ext 2 (Ward23) and Ext3 constructing two streets in Tokologo, said Gogo Emelinah Hlophe as she (Ward 20) by building storm-water with a total length of 560m covering received keys to her new decent drainages to absorb the water and fl ush Kwakwetla Street 360m and house. it out into the streams of Mathole. A Sihlangene Street 200m. When handing over the houses, total of R4, 8 million was spent on the Executive Mayor, Cllr Tolo said, construction of storm water drainages Hendrina “Everyone deserves a decent shelter covering the total length of 750m from In Hendrina, Ward 3, R2.6 million over their heads and I am happy to be Reuben Mnisi to Mandela Drive road. was spent on the construction of De associated with this initiative, which Finally, a total length of 1475m was Klerk and Sluit Streets covering a total only seeks to address poverty and covered for resealing roads including distance of 500m. inequality. Zenzeleni, Pigogo, Phumolong, “We will continue to fi ght for Sivikelekile, Ngwenya, Siyoqhubeka Kwazamokuhle equality until all our people are free and Tshireletso Street. The Municipality also spent R11, 2 from these challenges. It pleases my The Municipality Spokesperson, million at Kwazamokuhle Ext 2 and heart to see so many senior citizens Ms Prudence Magutle is urging the Ext 4, Ward 1 and Ward 2, covering benefi t from these housing units. community to take care of the roads a total length of 1240m for the “I am certain that they will now and they are discouraged to pitch up construction of the following streets: enjoy the fruits of democracy and tents in the streets as this leads to Mahlatse, 7th Crescent, and 8th be able to sleep peacefully at night potholes. Crescent. without worrying about rats and criminals,” said Cllr Tolo.

Somaphepha residents will soon have or Pay Points. which was attended by community their own Community Services Centre at “It is your obligation to look after the members and City Council. their doorsteps. place because it belongs to you. This Tolo emphasised the need for all This became a reality when the Steve centre will not only help this community those involved in the construction of the Tshwete Local Municipality led by the access services at their door steps centre to hire local people to be part of Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo but will also create much needed job the project. attended the Sod-Turning of the fi rst opportunities, especially for our young “Instead of looking for skills phase of the Thusong Service Centre held people. elsewhere, let us exhaust what we have in Somaphepha. It is our objective as Government to here at home. I hear people saying Before this move, this community had ensure that there is transformation and that they have been overlooked during to travel long distances just to access that we fi ght against the triple challenges employment recruitment but I promise basic community services from this still faced by our people, which are local residents that they will be the Municipality, but this will now be the poverty, unemployment and inequality. fi rst to be hired and benefi t from this thing of the past. The construction of this service centre project,” promised Cllr Tolo. The Thusong Service Centre is set to be proves just how much the Government The fi rst phase of the project includes a Multi-Purpose Centre that will render of the day is serious about transformation the construction of a Community Hall services ranging from Home Aff airs, the and poverty alleviation,” said the and a Library estimated at R17 million. Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo and Executive South African Social Services, Library, Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo Completion is scheduled for March Director, Thoko Zulu, and Ward 9 Cllr Johannes Community Hall and Electricity outlets during the offi cial Sod-Turning ceremony, 2019. Skhosana hand over a house to a 104 Gogo.

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality 7 ENVIRONMENT

The Local Council is in the process of replacing the old fashioned dustbins with new trolley ones. Carefully and thoroughly explaining this process, the Municipal Manager, Mr Bheki Khenisa said the reason why the Municipality wanted to replace the old dustbins with the new trolley ones was to properly manage their entire waste processes. “It is not just about changing the dustbins, but we are actually looking at how we do our Waste Management processes. “We have a landfi ll site and currently everything goes to that landfi ll site and we are fi lling it at a quicker rate with matters that shouldn’t be there, of which some are organic and can be used for business,” explained Khenisa. Executive Director, Ms Thoko Zulu, Council Speaker, Andries Mabena, MMC Johan Matshiane, and Municipal O cials are  anked by the MEC for Agriculture and Well “We are currently using smaller bins Wishers during the Provincial Greenest Competition. The Municipality scooped 2nd place and received a throphy and a cheque of R75 000. and this makes us collect them twice or trice a week. “In most cases, because the dustbins are small, you fi nd that people fi ll them with plastics and other things all together. So providing bigger dustbins will be easier for all of us. Our waste collectors will collect once instead of twice and in that way, we are looking MEC for DARDLEA, Mr Vusi Shongwe Greenest Municipality Competition. Competition is an annual event, aimed at saving for the Municipality. has crowned the 2018 winners of the The gathering also witnessed to recognize the contribution that the “And in that way it also helps us Greenest Municipality Competition during awarding of 5 other Local Municipalities were making to address to redirect that money towards the a Gala Dinner on Thursday, November Municipalities that performed Environmental Protection, Social separation of source and be able to 2018 in Mbombela. exceptionally well in various Upliftment and Economic Growth. provide three or four dustbins with The City of Mbombela scooped the categories like Most Improved, Best The ceremony was graced by diff erent colours, so that we know overall winner, walking away with practises in Waste Management, representatives from various how to separate waste according to the R100 000, while Steve Tshwete Local Best practises in Landscaping, Tree stakeholders in Districts; Mayors, colour of the bins,” explained Khenisa. Municipality took second place and won Planting and Beautifi cation, Best Councillors, MMCs, Speakers, Acting On a parting shot, Khenisa said, “It’s R75 000 and Nkomazi Local Municipality practises in energy effi ciency and Head at Dardlea, DEA, Rand Water, a long process that we are working taking position three, pocketing R50 000. conservation and Best practices in Chief Director at Rural Development on. We want to change and transform The City of Mbombela will represent Water Management and Sanitation. and Land Reform, Dardlea Senior Waste Management and it’s not just Mpumalanga at the 2019 National The Greenest Municipality Managers and the SAPS. dustbins, but they just happened to be our starting point.”

This small pond situated just a stone’s Speaking to a number of fi shermen who have gone back to normality now.” throw away from the CDB recently made frequent this fi shing spot, all voiced their Another resident fi sherman, Mr John news headlines after it was poisoned by happiness at the fact that the municipality Ramabu said he fi shes there and sells his unknown people. has intervened and they are now able to catch in the nearby township, Mhluzi. Following this incident, the pond was fi sh again. “The money I get from selling fi sh reportedly contaminated with an unknown “For me, fi shing is more like a sport. I use it to look after my family since I bacteria which killed the fi sh and turned I come here once a week and spend am unemployed. When this pond had the water poisonous. the entire day just fi shing and enjoying problems, I had to fi nd other fi shing Steve Tshwete Local Municipality myself. So, it was a bit frustrating when spots far from here and this was a intervened and conducted some tests the pond was poisoned because we challenge because I needed more money and thereafter sprayed the pond with couldn’t come here and fi sh or even relax to get there. But all is well now, and as Old bins. disinfection chemicals. under the trees. But I am happy that things you can see, we are fi shing here again and the fi sh are healthy,” said Ramabu. The Council’s Spokesperson, Ms Prudence Magutle confi rmed that the pond received attention from the Municipality and was sprayed to disinfect it. “The pond is up and running again and people have already started using it after the Municipality intervened. We don’t know what or who infected the pond in the fi rst place, but we would like to appeal to our community members to refrain from poisoning our ponds and dams, because there are other people who are able to support their families from the little money they make from fi shing,” appealed Magutle. New bins. 8 Steve Tshwete Local Municipality ENVIRONMENT

Executive Mayor Cllr Bagudi Tolo, Council Speaker, Andries Mabena and Municipal Manager, Mr Bheki Khenisa, Members of the Mayoral Committee and O cials celebrate the Arbor City Award.

This Municipality’s star shone bright He said there is a great need for they have travelled a long way to turn entire country, but I’ve realised yet again as it was voted the greenest his institution to continue planting this city into the greenest and healthiest that our townships are very Municipality during the National Arbor trees, especially in townships such as city in the country. naked. Our townships don’t have City Awards held in Mbombela recently. Kwazamokuhle and Mhluzi. “I am happy that we were voted the enough trees. We need to plant The Municipality outshone 205 He said this award proves though that best and greenest Municipality in the trees there,” he emphasised. other Municipalities to be crowned the greenest City in the entire country. These prestigious awards are aimed at encouraging Municipalities to undertake green initiatives by planting trees within their Cities. Steve Tshwete Local Municipality planted and managed a total of 15 000 trees within the City, an action which impressed the judges of these prestigious awards. For their part and hard work, the Municipality took home a R300 000 prize money. “Trees are said to be the lungs of a town. As scientifi cally proven, trees inhale the very same carbon dioxide that us human breathe out and exhale oxygen that we inhale. We must keep in mind that the very same carbon dioxide that we exhale is cleaned from the air by the trees, which in return supply us with oxygen, which is life. This proves that we have a symbiotic relationship with the trees and without trees there would be no human life as we see it today,” said Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo. Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo, Municipal Manager, Ms Dalein Lambrechts, Mr Bheki Khenisa and MMC Cllr, Johan Mathiane.

A gas fuel green energy plant, which around 250 000 cars in the country’s shipped into the country, and successful producing carbon-rich off -gasses but will create much needed employment roads each year. fermentation tests have already been needs the technology to turn them into opportunities is coming to town. The US Trade and Development conducted. green fuel. This project will be funded by The R1, 1 billion fuel energy plant, will Agency issued a grant to Swayana The project, which is now in the various shareholders, including the US be built at Samancor ferrochrome smelter energy project developer for a engineering phase, will use proprietary Trade and Development Agency, private in 2019 and has the full support of the feasibility study that will use technologies from Illinois based Lanza operating partners and SA’s Industrial Municipality. innovative US technologies to convert Tech, to create ethanol from off -gas Development Corporation. This Ethanol plant is set to produce waste gas, known as off -gas, into generated as a byproduct of ferroalloy The construction of the state-of-the- about 60 million litres of Ethanol per ethanol, which will be sold into the smelting. art fuel green energy plant is billed to annum and estimated to produce enough green fuels market both nationally and According to Swayana, the country commence in 2019 and be completed in fuel to eliminate the carbon footprint of abroad. A pilot fermentation unit was has many miners benefi ciation plants early 2020.

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality 9 PROFILES

EXECUTIVE MAYOR COUNCIL WHIP COUNCIL SPEAKER MMC Bagudi Jonathan Tolo Semakaleng Dorah Nkadimeng Andries Mavula Mabena Cllr Diphala Motsepe

In May 2018, This Being A tried at the age institution a Council and tested of 66 years, and the ANC Speaker can cadre of the he achieved led Council be somewhat liberation controlling are the true demanding and movement, powers in champions challenging at the ANC, and the Steve of Women the same time. a negotiator Tshwete Local empowerment It requires bold of note, Cllr Municipality, and this is and fi rm hands, Diphala proving that age evident by the but above all, Motsepe ain’t nothing but deployment it requires came to the a number. of Cllr a sober and Municipal As Semakaleng neutral judge to environment intellectuals put Dorah Nkadimeng as the take decisions in 2011 after it, “Whiskey improves with time and age, Council’s Chief Whip. not deemed to be favouring others his community requested him to the older it gets the more matured and Tough and always in and leaving others in the cold. stand in as a Councillor. enjoyable it becomes.” control, Cllr Nkadimeng is Better known for his passion for In that very year, he was The same can be said about the new a true example that women his work and the people he serves, appointed Member of the Mayoral Steve Tshwete Local Municipality’s deployees are as ready and Council Speaker, Mavula Andries Committee and again in 2016 after Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo, the equal to their tasks as those of Mabena, was made for this tough the Local Government elections. older he gets the wiser he becomes. their male counterparts. and challenging job. Besides his experience and vast Tolo was born and bred in the very She was elected Council’s “I sometimes see this position political history, his credentials District of Middelburg and started his Chief Whip after the 2016 as controversial in a sense that I include negotiating with the then educational career at the Thushanang Local Government elections have to sometimes chastise my own Highveld Regional Municipality Primary School. and has never disappointed comrades when they are out of line for the reconnection of electricity He later matriculated in Bopedi Bapedi her organisation and the or out of order. and water in Mhluzi after the High School in Limpopo Province and people of Steve Tshwete Local We are all here deployed by our Municipality had discontinued went on to pursue a career in Education Municipality up to date. organisation, the ANC, but then as their services, leaving the with the Polokwane based Teachers Always committed and Council Speaker, I must become township in darkness and Training College, where he obtained a unyielding, Cllr Nkadimeng is the chairperson of the meetings and waterless for days. Secondary Teachers Diploma. not new in this environment as become totally neutral and not found In the early 1980s Cllr Motsepe He returned home where he worked as she served as a Member of the to be siding with one side and make formed part of a group that started an educator and taught at several schools Executive since 2011. others feel not part of the Council,” Civic Movements, which they around Middelburg. She has a long political says Cllr Mabena when briefl y served alongside other progressive Just before the Political Turmoil of history that dates back to 1988 explaining his duties. structures such as the UDF, since 1980s, Tolo quit his teaching job and when she was a member of the Being an experienced individual the ANC was still in exile. left the country to join his Comrades in Mhluzi Youth Congress and in both politics and in Government “We ran those Civic exile where he joined the ANC’s Military later becoming a member of structures he fi nds his functions as organisations with the mandate wing, Umkhonto WeSizwe (MK). the executive before joining Council Speaker not as hard as it that we were serving the “I came back from exile in 1990 and the ANC Youth League in sometimes seem. community, whilst at the same went back to teaching, where I taught at 1990. His duties are to steer the meetings time we were pushing the political Sofunda High School until the very fi rst She was elected ANC and ensure that there is order in all agenda. ever democratic election of 1994,” he chairperson in Branch 2, Council sittings and look into the In the early 1990, our Civic recalls as he chats with the Masakhane between 1997 and 1999. wellbeing of all Councillors, and Movement received and gained team. She served as Branch that rules are followed at all times. momentum. After the 1994 elections, Tolo’s Executive Committee member Cllr Mabena was born in I remember we had a number political career took a serious turn. between 2003 and 2004. Bronkorspruit and grew up in the of activities that prevented the He was called to serve in the fi rst ever Between 2003 and 2006, former KwaNdebele area. He started community from doing certain Provincial Legislature as an MPL, under Cllr Nkadimeng served as his educational road at Mbongo things such as stay-aways and the leadership of Mathews Phosa. Deputy Chairperson of Ward 2 Primary School in 1975 and revolting against the proposed “I served at the Provincial Legislature and later as Secretary. proceeded to complete his Matrric at 99 years property leases,” recalls until 2002, and thereafter I was deployed She then moved to Ward Tsele High School. Motsepe. to the National Parliament where I served 23 where she became a BEC He then attended St Augustine Motsepe says they inculcated in the National Council of Provinces member and Secretary. College where he obtained a the culture of paying for services (NCOP) until 2009. Since 2014 to date she is a qualifi cation in Political Science. back in the 1990s and the black “In 2011, I was appointed Chairperson member of the ANC REC. His political career started in communities excelled in this of the Commission on Traditional As a member of the school where he participated and regard. Leaders Disputes and Claims at National ANCWL, Cllr Nkadimeng served as chairperson of a debate Born in Mhluzi, Maseko Street level and that commission came to was elected Chairperson committee. in the old location, in 1953, be known as the Tolo Commission,” of the Women’s League in It was in 1997, when he fi rst Motsepe started his educational explains Tolo. Middelburg Branch from 1991 arrived in Middelburg, that he road at Thusanang Primary His contract offi cially came to an end until 1992. actively participated in the structures School. in 2015, but it was extended by a further She became Deputy of the ANC. After completing his Standard two years, which saw him serving until Chairperson of the Women’s And in 2000, he became a Ward Six, he went on to work for a December, 2017. League in Ward 2 in Councillor for the fi rst time and number of private companies and “I am not here to perform miracles 1998, before going on to served until 2010, where he was this is where he became politically and promise things that we know we become Secretary and later appointed as a Member of the conscious. can never deliver on, but I am bringing Chairperson of the branch Mayoral Committee. “In 1975 I attempted to go to the kind of experience that, by working between 1999 and 2005. From the period of 2011 to 2016 exile but due to the infl uence of together with the Council and the entire From 2011 Cllr Nkadimeng he was unemployed until 2016 after my parents I decided against it. administration team, will be able to speed has held the position of the Local Government elections of I remember my father saying to up our service delivery vehicle. It is Deputy Chairperson of the that year where he was appointed me that if we all go to exile who important to note that I don’t work alone RECWL. Speaker for this Council. will stay behind and therefore I and in isolation but I have a profi ciently Cllr Nkadimeng worked in He has served as Ward 15 took it upon myself to stay and experienced team of Councillors who are both the private and public Branch chairperson and Secretary fought against the oppression always there to guide and support me, all sectors, while also attending respectively. head-on. for the good and benefi t of our people,” College to pursue a career in He was elected to serve in the I soon found myself in the mentions Tolo. Electrical Engineering. REC from 2013 to 2014 and in their middle of the 1976 uprisings,” last conference he was elected an recalls Motsepe as he shares his additional member of the REC. political history. 10 Steve Tshwete Local Municipality PROFILES

MMC MMC MMC MMC MMC Cllr Johan Matshiane Cllr Catherine Mkhuma Cllr Martha Malepeng Cllr Thandi Muka Cllr Mondli Kgalema

He is The The After A true probably volatile and dawn of dropping advocate one of the challen- democracy out of for youth ANC led ging nature in the University development, govern- of politics Country in due to lack it is not ment’s didn’t deter 1994 has of funding, surprising brightest Cllr paved way the future that at his examples Cathrine for equal looked age he had that the Mkhuma’s oppor- bleak and his name future dreams of tunities uncertain seconded belongs pursuing and today for her. and deployed to young a career in women But in the people this tough take centre years Council as a and his and unstable environment of stage, later, Cllr Member of deployment into Council has politics. especially in the ANC led Thandi Elizabeth Muki the Mayoral Committee (MMC) come just at the right time when Born and bred in Komati Government. Mnguni, is one of few responsible for Finance and there is so much spotlight on Village, Ward 4, Cllr Cllr Sonto Martha female politicians on the Economic Development. young people and the economy. Mkhuma began her Primary Malapeng is one shining rise and making a name for Cllr Mondli Kgalema, a known Cllr Johan Matshiane, tasked education at the Kromfontein example of women themselves. youth activist of note, having with the responsibilities of Primary School and later empowerment by the ANC It was in 1994 that she participated in the structures of overseeing the department of studied at Steel Crest High led Government. realised her political worth student movement organisations Arts, Culture, Environmental where she Matriculated. Born in Middelburg and decided to join and such as COSAS, SANCO, SRC Health and Social Services, After completing her Hospital in 1986, Malapeng participate in branches of and the ANC Youth League, is probably the youngest Matric, she left the country is probably one of the few the ANC and the SACP has all the ammunitions needed ANC deployee in the City to pursue her tertiary studies youngest female Councillors respectively. to lead the next phase of the Council and is working hard in Germany, Europe, but in the Province. “Growing up in revolution, which is economic to prove that young people had to abandon the overseas She says she fell in love Hendrina exposed me to so redress and transformation of are as capable and are well dream. with politics at a very young many injustices that were the majority, especially the represented in Governmental She was forced back due to age after she was infl uenced happening, especially in previously disadvantaged young structures. her father’s ailing health. by her mother who was an nearby farms. This made people. Born and bred in Mooifontein And upon returning active member of the ANC. me want to bring change “The most important thing Farm next to Arnot Power home, she pursued a “Growing up seeing my or be part of a regime that we should be saying in Station in 1986, Matshiane Nursing Course with a mother fi ghting for other that was driven to bring terms of youth empowerment broke his educational tooth at Nursing Private institution people’s rights encouraged change. This is how and is that young people must come both Ipan and Arnot Primary in Johannesburg, Gauteng me to also want to take up why I decided to join to these offi ces and agitate the Schools. He completed his Province, but later decided arms and join the struggle,” politics,” clarifi es Cllr leadership and demand what is Matric at the Beestepan she wanted to become a she says. Mnguni. due to them. But they must not Agricultural High School. politician instead. “I knew from an early age By 2001, she had come in anarchy but use the After completing his Matric, “I have always had that I had to follow on my become an experienced democratic and peaceful channels Matshiane pursued a course a calling to become a mother’s footsteps. I actually and dedicated member and and structures to engage with the in Public Relations. In 2015 community worker and admired the way she handled started serving in diff erent leadership,” he says as he speaks he completed a course in nursing was one way of people’s issues and how positions of the ANC and his mind on issues of youth Municipal Governance with the doing just that, but I decided she helped them with their SACP. empowerment. Southern African Institute of that I wanted to be involved concerns,” she continues. She served as Branch “Young people must listen to Learning, where he specialised in something that will have Her mother served in Secretary of the ANC in what government is saying,” in subjects such as Municipal an immediate impact on the structures of the ANC Hendrina, Kwazamokuhle he continues, “Because this is Finance Management, Local the lives of our people, and and was at one stage a in Ward 19 for four years. where opportunities lie. They Economic Development and politics was it,” she recalls as Committee Member until In 2003 she was elected must participate in democratic Municipal Policy Making she narrates how she got into she was elected Ward Branch Chairperson of the structures and community amongst others. politics. Taking her political Councillor in 2011. Women’s League and later meetings.” He has just recently calling seriously, Cllr “You’d swear she was served as Secretary of the His activism dates back at a completed a Diploma on Mkhuma became an active a Councillor at that time, SACP. very young age and was initiated Leadership in Municipal member in her Ward in because people would come In 2006 she was voted into politics by his politically Governance with Wits Komati, where she actively at night just for advice and to lead Ward 19 as a conscious family. He is part of University. “It is important participated and proved other personal matters. I Councillor. In 2016, she a generation that re-launched for young people to acquire her worth. She is currently have never seen her turning was appointed Member of COSAS in Middelburg in the education fi rst and get some serving as branch Secretary away and chasing people the Mayoral Committee. early 1990s. skills if we are to become future of the ANC in her Ward, out of her home. This is She is currently “I am typically what you’d call leaders,” he says as he briefl y Youth League’s regional itself triggered something serving as a scriber for a youth activist. I am a product of showcases his educational Deputy Secretary and a in me and it taught me how the Regional Executive COSAS, SASCO and the ANC background. Cllr Matshiane’s scriber of the RTT’s Young to work with people,” she Committee of the Youth League,” he says with a political career began as early Women’s desk in the region. relates. Women’s League. smile. as in 2005 when he joined the “After serving in the Cllr Malapeng’s love for She currently serves Before he was deployed here, ANC and became an active ANC’s ward structures and people and politics saw as MMC for Spacial he ran his own businesses, until member in his home branch. community based initiatives, her climbing the ranks and Development and Human the ANC felt his expertise would In 2006 he served as the I was privileged enough that becoming a PR Councillor Settlement. best serve the interest of young party’s election agent. Between my own community felt that from 2011 until 2016. “This is one of the people, within the governmental 2006 and 2007 served as Ward I should represent them as During this period she also toughest departments, structures. And after the 2016 11 Youth League Secretary a Ward Councillor after the served in the Municipal because it deals with what Local Government Elections he and the League’s Chairperson 2016 Local Government Public Accounts Committee many people want. Our was deployed as Councillor for between 2009 and 2011. elections,” continues and as a member of people want houses and Ward 20 and also called to serve “At the age of 18 years, I was Mkhuma. Her political Whippery amongst other are not shy to stop us in as a Member of the Mayoral elected branch Secretary until organisation, the ANC saw portfolios. the streets and demand Committee. On parting he says, today,” he points out. the need to also deploy her In 2016 she was to that we provide them “I think we are on the right track In 2016 he was re-elected to the Steve Tshwete Local date she was appointed with houses. It is our if you consider the decisions we to serve for a second term as Municipality to serve as to serve in the Mayoral mandate and we dare shall have taken since 2016 until now Ward Councillor and this is a Member of the Mayoral Committee, and was tasked not fail them, we will as it relates to the procurement when the need arose for him Committee. with the responsibilities of deliver on our promises as and employment opportunities, to be seconded to serve in the She serves as MMC for overseeing the Corporate Government of the day,” especially to benefi t young Mayoral Committee. Community Services. Services. concludes Cllr Mnguni. people.” Steve Tshwete Local Municipality 11 PROFILES AND NEW APPOINTMENTS

He is always oozing with confi dence While Khenisa’s track record speaks So, we want to look at that and say how at those projects from when they are being and never short of bright and futuristic for itself, the Steve Tshwete Local do we increase it, without necessarily built from the construction level and when ideas. Municipality on the other hand, boasts an reducing the contributions of the mines. they are fi nished, they are also very labour His, is a name recognised not only in incredibly amazing history of being one I am looking at that from the intensive and so they are going to absorb a his home town, Middelburg, but also of the few well run Municipalities in the diversifi cation of our economy and how lot of people,” he stresses. throughout the province of the Rising Sun, Province and Country. do we diversify our economy,” points out “Our short term goal, is to build Mpumalanga. In William Shakespear’s poetic World Khenisa. partnerships with other departments and It doesn’t stop there for the new and language, these two (Khenisa and Having worked in a banking businesses to make sure that when they Sherriff in charge of Steve Tshwete Local Steve Tshwete Municipality) rhyme. environment before, this has given come to this Municipality they will also Municipality, Mr Bheki Khenisa. Because of his expertise and experience Khenisa enough ammunition when be able to absorb most of our unemployed His reach, name and work extend to Steve Tshwete Municipal Council, handling investors. people.” other provinces of the country and it is recommended that Khenisa be given “I can safely say from an investor’s “From a long term point of view, we because of his proven track record that his the driver’s sit and steer this well-oiled point of view, I know what they need have an ageing infrastructure, one of services come highly recommended. vehicle to greener pastures. because I have worked with investors the things that we want to aggressively But who is Bheki Khenisa and what is before. I know the packaging that do is to make sure that we refurbish our he bringing the people of Steve Tshwete is needed to be able to make the infrastructure and where we have to Local Municipality? Municipality attractive. So, I am bringing replace, we do exactly that, so that we “Well, I don’t really have to say much a diversity of skills from diff erent reduce the interruptions of water and because my experience speaks for itself. companies that I have worked with before electricity. But don’t be fooled, I don’t let this but also having worked in a Municipal We are also focusing on the Smart City experience cloud my judgement and think environment,” he continues. and our focus for now is to reduce crime. that I am the next big thing. Khenisa has sat in a number of boards, We are introducing what we call the crime But, I have been fortunate enough to such as Limpopo Tourism Authority and and grime. We plan to reduce the crime have been CEO in a number of Blue the Development Finance and this makes in the city by increasing the number of Chip companies. I come with a lot of it easy for him to understand how to law enforcement offi cials and install the knowledge on how to run a business package deals in terms of deal making. city survelience cameras. We are also and I see the Municipality as a business, He simply uses all these ingridiances emphasising the relationship between because it has to be sustained,” he says to steer the Municipal ship into friendly ourselves, the police and the community with a smile. waters. so that we all fi ght crime. “And from that angle, I bring a A perfect example at hand has to be the In terms of the grime, we have done mixture of fi nancial management and ABSA deal and how it was packaged to passed a bylaw, which will allow and strong general management all around,” benefi t the people of Steve Tshwete Local gives us authority to go where we could he continues, “Having been a CEO of Municipality. not go in before. an investment bank, I also bring this These are the things we are looking at knowledge here which will help us Short and long term priorities to go digital and become a Smart City. in terms of investment and fi nancial “Our short term priority is to go back We are focusing now on our 24 hours management.” to attaining and maintaining the clean call centre so it is easier for our people When doing his Masters in varsity, audit opinion report and to make sure that to communicate with us and also get Khenisa focused his thesis at the impact we maintain and improve on our service feedback,” Khenisa carries on. of mineral extraction in local mining standards with the community so that they He says the Municipality’s biggest communities. can also feel that the Municipality and challenge is the aging infrastructure, And Steve Tshwete Local Municipality government by extension works for them. which has been there since the early being a mining community, makes it Secondly, to make sure that we create 1970s. even more rewarding and much easier a number of opportunities for labour “Water and electricity interruptions are a for Khenisa to fi t in and deliver what’s absorption. nightmare. Just a recently the Municipality expected of him. We need to absorb a lot of unemployed replaced a valve that has been there since “What I am looking at is how do we and to create positions for them, even if 1976. And this tells you that we are sitting make sure that these mines benefi t the it’s not by the Municipality but by the with a time bomb in terms of service community and at the same time how contractors that we use. So whenever delivery, because these are the two most do we make sure that the town post the we give someone a business we must items people really need and this is how mineral extraction is still sustainable make sure that we monitor them in terms they measure the Municipality whether we and that is why we are saying we don’t of hiring our local people,” points out perform or not. want to reduce the contributions of the Khenisa as he slowly and gently describes And the sad part is that we don’t have mines to our GVA as a Municipality but some of the Municipality’s priorities. the money to quickly go and replace but we want to increase the others. For an Khenisa lets it slip that a hotel is we are looking at a number of ways in example we need to look sharply at how underway. which we would be able to borrow money do we increase tourism because it now “We are going out on a tender for a at a much lesser interest. contributes hotel. We have also given the department Service delivery is our key focus,” says R1, 6 billion to the whole of GVA of the a hospital because we see all these as Khenisa as he concludes. Municipal Manager Mr Bheki Khenisa. Municipality. important projects and we say if we look Motto: Proverbs 3, 27.

Barely a few months in his new so that they can keep on contributing Participation, Customer Care and Property Resources, B Tech and Degree position, but the new Corporate Services towards service delivery,” explains Evaluation. in Human Resources, Leadership Executive Director, Mr Muzi Khumalo Khumalo. He is actually tasked with a “We are changing the way our IT Development and is currently has the ball rolling and doesn’t intend very important and yet challenging task system works, because it must add value completing his Masters in Labour Law. stopping now until the Municipality turns of supporting Council structures, such to the other business units or Council paperless and digitised. as the Mayoral Committee and to ensure departments, so that we are able then to The former HR Manager in this that scheduled meetings sit as scheduled. use technology eff ectively to communicate Municipality comes to this new position “We are actually enforcing and and be able to reach out to the community with vast experience having been with implementing legislation and making sure without them having to come here. the institution for over 17 years in both that systems are put in place,” he says. People are now mobile and we must junior and senior positions. As part of contributing to the envisaged move with time,” he continues. He can be accredited for championing Smart City, Khumalo says they are He says the Legal Unit is actually the the development of a concept to promote already implementing the automation of main driver of the Council because they internal workers to higher or senior agendas and meetings. deal with Council issues and a number positions within the Municipality. “We want to cut costs, because we of request that comes from both the This Municipality promoted a total are currently printing a lot of paper. We community and internally for advice. of 88 internal staff members to senior are slowly changing the way Council Public Participation Unit is responsible positions in a space of 12 months. and Councillors operate, because in the for coordinating the meetings of Wards “This motivates them to excel in their past they would bring in lots of fi les and Wards Committees, the Mayor’s and respective jobs and to also want to study and agendas, but we want to slowly speaker’s outreach programmes. further using our study schemes. change and digitalise our operations,” They link the community and the It’s actually also a strategy for us to he explains. The other sections that Municipality. Executive Director: Corporate Services, our workforce in the Municipality he is overseeing are IT, Legal, Public He holds a Diploma in Human Mr Muzi Khumalo.

12 Steve Tshwete Local Municipality SOCIAL, YOUTH, WOMEN AND ELDERLY

With more than 20 years of experience growing at the rate of 4, 4% and so as a Constructor and an Engineer, in both our infrastructure is over stretched, but the private sector and in Government, with that said we are addressing these the Executive Director of Infrastructure challenges. We have programmes in and Technical Services, Mr April Ntuli is place, such as the Water and Sanitation certainly the man for the job. Master Plan. With this Plan we are Responsible for Departments such aiming at accommodating the current and as Water and Sanitation, Roads and future growth and also to upgrade our Storm Water, Electrical Engineering infrastructure so that it can accommodate Services, Municipal Building Services, the growth. Town Planning, Park and Environmental The Municipality has already procured Development, Project Management Unit the services of a Transitional Advisory and Fleet, Ntuli says his committed team with the aim of sourcing or looking helps him perform at his level best. for funds to assist us very quickly so “I have a very committed team behind that we can address the issue of aging me. We have seven heads of Departments infrastructure.” who are very committed and also have He says the other programme that other staff members working under them they are embarking on is the Water who are also all dedicated and driven. I Conservation and Demand Management CFO, Ms Elmari Wasserman. would honestly not make it alone. which is aimed at saving water and Some of the issues that we discuss at installing Smart Metering. Exco level assist me to be able to run the “By installing the Smart Metering, we Department,” he says as he introduces his want to have a system that will enable Department to the public. us be able to know sitting from a control This is without a doubt one of the room as to what is the fl ow of water and toughest departments, but Ntuli says they be able to adjust. are managing just fi ne. This will enable us to know the fl ows of He says there are challenges but they water from the point of entry until to the have plans in place to overcome them. point of exit, meaning from Middelburg Her love for the community is “Most of the challenges that we face Dam, Vaal Bank Water Treatment Works what drives her to want to wake up are on water and are due to the ageing Executive Director: Infrastructure and Technical until to the consumer where people are every morning and be the fi rst to infrastructure. The network system was Services Mr April Ntuli. drawing water,” clarifi es Ntuli. arrive in the offi ce and be the last to installed a long time ago and we are Ntuli holds a National Diploma in Civil leave. experiencing pipes burst. the pressure becomes too much and then Engineering and a B Tech also in Civil The dedicated and experienced The capacity of the pipes cannot handle pipes burst,” he says. Engineering. He has worked for other Chief Financial Offi cer (CFO), the pressure especially at night when “The expansion is also a challenge,” Municipalities such as Thembisile Hani Ms Elmari Wasserman has set her people are not withdrawing water and so he continues, “The Municipality is and Nkangala District Municipality. sight in putting the people and the Municipality fi rst by achieving a Clean Audit opinion in the next fi scal season. “This year, we received an Unqualifi ed Audit opinion, with Known as a methodical decision- Competition initiatives and also matters, but we accept the matters maker who is determined to solicit lending a hand into Environmental and we are willing to work hard to opinions from Managers and win Health Services where possible. go back to a Clean Audit. them over with logical argument, the In 2007, she joined Govan Mbeki So, our vision for next year, 2019 new Executive Director: Community Local Municipality as the Manager: is to go back to the Clean Audit that Services, Ms Thokozile Zulu is one of Waste Management Services and we are known for,” she says with the Municipality’s Lionesses whose drove the municipality into winning a beaming smile as she carefully prowess and talent are well placed. the Cleanest Town Competition, clarifi es her Department’s plans for She is one of the few female leaders winning a total of the New Year. with high moral standards and still R1. 1 million both at District “The second priority, is to improve committed to their calling of serving (R100 000) and Provincial on the Supply Chain Management the Nation. (R1 million) levels. processes which can actually enable As a former business woman and She then moved to the City of the Departments to improve their socialist, Zulu believes Government Cape Town in August 2007 as a service delivery. We need to work should be run business like. Head: Waste Management Facilities. on our plans that can able us to “Government must do business In October 2007 she joined improve on the turn around time. We unusual and plan as though it was the City of Johannesburg as the want to improve on our systems so targeting profi ts in order to off er Deputy Director: Waste Information that all our creditors are promptly high levels of service delivery to its Management and Regulation which paid within 30 working days. There clients and to win over the trust of she left in 2013 April to re-join should not be any invoices not paid, communities. Govan Mbeki Local Municipality as specifi cially from your Small and “If we are willing to do things in an Director: Community Services. Meduam Enterprises,” she continues. unusual way without compromising She holds a National Diploma She says there is a new section that our legislated mandates we can in Environmental Health (TUT), was recently established within the turn Government institutions B-Tech: Environmental Health Finance Department, and it is called into reputable and sustainable (TUT), Certifi cate in Labour the Assistant Director Expenditure powerhouses,” she points out. Relations and Leadership (Wits Management and its vision is to Zulu’s career with Local Business School), Post Graduate thoroughly look into the turn around Government started in 1995 when Diploma in Business Administration time. Ms Wasserman holds a B she was doing her In-Service training (UNISA School of Business Comm in Economics and is a Fellow with the City of Tshwane. Leadership), and currently studying of the Institute of Municipal Finance She gained experience into towards the Masters in Business Offi cers. Her career achievements Environmental Health related services Administration ( Regent Business at STLM include the key role she but specialised in Town Planning School) and Masters in Business played in achieving Unqualifi ed Services. Leadership (UNISA) School of Audit Reports since 2002. During It was in 2005 that her true calling Business Leadership) Executive Director: Community Services, the period 2002 to 2008 Unqualifi ed came knocking and gladly heeded “I am here to ensure the collapse Ms Thokozile Zulu. Audit Reports were attained. She the call and joined eMalahleni of negative theories about Local says she draws strength from the Local Municipality as a Supervisor: Government institutions and are Government because of the people people of Steve Tshwete Local Waste Management responsible for ensure best quality services to our therefore we cannot Govern without Municipality. street cleansing services and also clients while working together with their involvement, participation and coordinating the Cleanest Town them every step of the way. We consent,” she concludes. Steve Tshwete Local Municipality 13 SOCIAL, YOUTH, WOMEN AND ELDERLY

Local entertainment group perform for delegates during the World Aids Day Commemoration.

Thembisile Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr Nomsa Mtsweni and Cllr Bagudi Tolo during the candle light ceremony. Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo listens as speakers share their experiences with delegates.

Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo has reported a total of 217 defaults, meaning urged young people to get tested and know that people have decided to stop taking their HIV status so they can start leading their medication.” and living their lives accordingly. Tolo said that the fi ght against HIV and Cllr Tolo addressed a packed Aids requires bold decisions by dedicated Community Hall in Doorn Kop, and future driven young men and women. during the District’s World Aids Day “The fi ght against HIV and Aids needs Commemoration. all of us to join hand and hand. The fi ght This year World Aids Day was against this pandemic starts today and it commemorated under the theme: ‘Check starts with you, by simply getting tested. Impilo’, meaning get tested and know “To build a better future for all, our your status. elders and Senior Citizens need to play “I am glad that this event has been their role as well in the fi ght against this ZAZI girls light up candles of Hope during the event. graced by the presence of young people, scourge. It is worrying, to fi nd out that who I want to focus my attention to. adults also default on their medication. The reports at our disposal depicts a This is a very bad example that you are very sad and gloomy picture about our teaching the young ones. If you default, young people in this District, this local you will die and leave behind children to Municipality, and this area in particular. be orphans,” he went on. “Recent reports and statistics conducted “It doesn’t matter what the results are, by the Department of Health, which is what is important is for you to know done every month, have proven that this your status. And I want to say, even if District has the highest HIV and Aids you are positive, it is not a death penalty, cases or percentage, 41, 3 per cent to because our Government has made the be exact, making us number one in the provision of ARVs free of charge in all province,” he said. public clinics and hospitals. So I would “This poses a very serious challenge like to encourage that once you know your and threat, because the conducted research status, just take your medication and do suggested that young people are the not default, so that you may live longer hardest hit,” continued Cllr Tolo, “…They and lead a normal life just like the rest of are the ones contracting the HIV Virus at the world. the high speed. “The power of ARVs saves lives, “What is even more worrying is the fact prevent mother to child transmission that the majority of young people who of HIV, restores respect and dignity to have tested and discovered to be living people living with HIV, reduces maternal with this Virus end up defaulting on their mortality and reduces the number of medication. children becoming orphans,” Members of a locally based HIV/Aids organisation. “As a matter of facts, this area has concluded Tolo. 14 Steve Tshwete Local Municipality SOCIAL, YOUTH, WOMEN AND ELDERLY

Award winning Gospel group, the Joyous Celebration Gospel choir visited the excited pupils at Manyano Primary School on 25 July 2018. They were there to sing and help distribute donations of 100 school shoes and bags to pupils. Manyano Primary School is a no fee school with more than 900 registered learners who come from nearby Newtown informal settlement that has a high unemployment, poverty, and crime rate. The pupils were so excited to meet Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo who accompanied this winning gospel group and to personally thank them for taking time out and visiting the school. He also thanked the teachers for doing a phenomenal job in educating the children. To the pupils he said, “We love you and want you to always aspire to become great in life, and it starts by always listening to your teachers and parents.” “The reason for the group visiting the school is to pray for all the children and teachers to help restore unity and healing,” said Jabu Hlongwane, co-founder of Joyous Celebration. This is in response to an incident that occurred in late 2016 when Siphamandla Choma was allegedly badly punished by the school Head Master after he was accused of stealing R150 from another teacher’s bag. To everyone’s shock, Siphamandla died on 19 March 2017, which has left the school children and teachers traumatised since then. Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo and Joyous Celebration members donate school shoes and bags to Manyano Primary School learners.

Members of Joyous Celebration in full song. Members of Joyous Celebration are joined by the learners as they sing their favourate songs.

The Steve Tshwete Local Municipality from Sofunda High School says she was joined the Cell C initiative of Take- fascinated by the work that the Electrical A-Girl-Child-To-Work campaign and Engineer is doing. “I was happy to learn invited 200 female students to its offi ces that the offi ce of Electrical Engineer is on 31 May to learn about a host of so important and instrumental in running careers in the municipality. the town.” These girls were collected from 13 The Municipality started the campaign diff erent secondary schools within the in 2007 and adopted it as an annual event Municipal jurisdictions and they were and is hosted on the last Thursday of exposed to a wide range of career options May each year. Ms Lebo Thwala who available to them. has been co-ordinating the event since They toured diff erent departments led inception said: “Take a Girl Child to by relevant offi cials to get a glimpse of Work Day is observed annually in South the roles and functions the Municipality Africa on the last Thursday in May. executes, other than the removal of waste “The campaign seeks to show girls and electricity supply. working environments and believes “Contrary to popular belief that that early encouragement to work will collecting waste and providing water Some of the girl students during the Take a Girl Child to Work Campaign. motivate and inspire them to reach their and electricity is the only role the and work for the Municipality as a Legal was inspired by the work that the Chief full potential. Municipality plays, I discovered there Administrator,” said Sheila Mashilo from Financial Offi cer does, and I would like “Each year the campaign focuses on a are many careers in the Municipality. Bankfontein Combined. Preekash Naidoo to study Accounting and join STLM as specifi c theme to highlight the present- I want to study law so that I can come from Steelcrest High School said, “I an Accountant”. Nonkululeko Siziba day problems of society.”

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality 15 SOCIAL, YOUTH, WOMEN AND ELDERLY

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Steve Tshwete Local Municipality’s During this march a number of abuse female employees celebrated Women’s hotspots were identifi ed as listed below. Day by doing their worth in the fi ght against crime, Children and Women Extension 5 abuse. Extension 5 is made up of mostly RDP These brave women were joined by housing where owners rent their properties members of the South African Police out to anyone able to pay. Services, who together conducted Contractors prey on the community and door-to-door visits identifying abuse often leave child-headed households with hotspots within the jurisdiction of this incomplete housing. Municipality. This extension has a large number of During this door-to-door visit, police child-headed households where victims urged community members, especially are also easy preys. Children fi nd it hard women and children to report cases of to report crimes where other children gender based violence and any form of or extended families have to look after abuse against women and children. orphans. The orphans often remain silent “A newly tarred road or clean running because they are rewarded with money and water means nothing to a woman or objects for the abuse they suff er. child who fi nds themselves in abusive situations where fathers, brothers, uncles and close family friends are the Extension 6 perpetrators. Residents complain about illegal foreign “In other situations, cases are being nationals who saturate the area. Drug and withdrawn leading victims back to alcohol abuse is rife, leading to lots of situations they so desperately want to confl icts in the community. Due to a large escape from. number of foreigners having children, the “We will continue to look for solutions streets are overrun with youths who do not to the social ills which leave our go to school. women and children hopeless, bitter Most foreigners do not have legal papers. and angry,” commented the Municipal Violence and possession of weapons in a Spokesperson, Ms Prudence Magutle. particular school worry residents. Residents Magutle argued that many cases that accuse police of corruption, working with are reported are later being withdrawn drug dealers and selling affi davits and due to intimidation and the emotional stamps for documents. control abusers have over victims.

Extension 7 Social grant abuse is rife alongside pregnancies and HIV infection. This community also accuses the police of working together with drug peddlers and other criminals. A foreign presence is also high here, with children being kept out of school. The area is high on unemployment among women and youths, leading to poverty and substance abuse. Due to the large number of male youths, young females are often brought to the area and later abandoned, becoming soft targets for predators.

Extension 8 Residents claim that this area has a number of people living with disabilities and in need of wheelchairs, prosthesis and other physical needs. The disabled are often shunned by their own families, as well as the community. They are easy targets and law enforcement agencies are lax to assist them with reporting crimes and seeing cases through court. Grant abuse, unwanted pregnancies, HIV and drug abuse numbers are steadily climbing in this area. A large foreign presence is also said to be expanding even more.

16 Steve Tshwete Local Municipality SOCIAL, YOUTH, WOMEN AND ELDERLY

The little voices of Senior Citizens proved to matter as they had their say during the Municipality’s planned Senior Citizens Day. The Elderly Citizens were hosted by the Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo who attentively listened to their grievances and challenges during this historic engagement. Addressing the elders, Cllr Tolo said, “This Government cannot aff ord to ignore and pretend as if you don’t exist. This Government of the people is fully aware of your contributions and roles you played during the days of the struggle. “We are aware that it was you who were abused, arrested and tortured by the apartheid security agencies. So, we are gathered here today to pay homage to you and to let you know that we love you and if it weren’t Senior Citizens at the Council Chamber. for your sacrifi ces, we would not have this democracy.” The Municipality used this special day to formally recognise the elders’ achievements they made within their respective communities. “We are hosting this event at a time when the entire country is celebrating the lives of our former leaders, Nelson Mandela and Albertina Sisulu. “I cannot begin to tell you about these two leaders because you know them best. You grew up with them. You saw and experienced what they Council Chief Whip, Cllr Dorah Nkademeng and MMCs Cllrs Johan Matshiane and went through during the days of Diphala Motsepe. apartheid. “So it is befi tting that as we celebrate brutal acts at the hands of the colonisers. for that,” acknowledged Cllr Tolo. Mayor and this Municipality citing their centenary, we don’t forget about We want you know that we value your Gogo Sarah Mahlangu appreciated that this made them feel special and you who experienced many awful and contributions and we want to thank you the gesture shown by the Executive important.

The Municipality recently hosted its annual Long Service Awards, which were precided over by the Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo, Council Speaker, Andries Mabena and Members of the Mayoral Committee and Executive Directors. These awards were solely meant to honour the Municipal’s employees who have contributed immensely towards the institution’s growth over the years. Below are some of the moments as captured through the lens.

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality 17 FACES OF COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

COUNCIL SPEAKER EXECUTIVE MAYOR COUNCIL WHIP Andries Mavula Bagudi Jonathan Semakaleng Dorah Mabena Tolo Nkadimeng 082 900 1398 083 554 3203 073 295 2816 MEMBERS OF THE MAYORAL COMMITTEE

MMC Cllr Diphala MMC Johan Matshiane MMC Nobesuthu MMC Thandi Elizabeth MMC Mondli Itumeleng MMC Cllr Sonto Martha Motsepe Infrastructure Arts, Culture & Catherine Mkhuma Muka Spacial Kgalema Financial Malepeng Corporate & Development Services Enviroment Health Community Safety Development & Human Services Support Services 061 133 7965 081 263 4155 076 083 5756 Settlement 079 194 9187 072 678 9826 084 456 2868 WARD COUNCILLORS

WARD 1 WARD 2 WARD 3 WARD 4 WARD 5 WARD 6 WARD 7 WARD 8 Cllr Doctor Joseph Cllr Musawenkosi Cllr Lindiwe Khelina Cllr Nobesuthu Cllr Manakedi Caroline Cllr Thapelo Sarrel Cllr Johan Matshiane Cllr Johanna Magdalena Skhosana Masina Mahlangu Catherine Mkhuma Mphego Motloung Arts, Culture & Mitchell 072 990 5778 079 953 0208 073 493 0190/ Community Safety 082 549 7738 071 682 8320 Enviroment Health 072 066 4386 071 573 6608 076 083 5756 081 263 4155

WARD 9 WARD 10 WARD 11 WARD 12 WARD 13 WARD 14 WARD 15 WARD 16 Cllr Johannes Cllr Thabo Petrus Mnisi Cllr Ammelia Cllr Hendrik Frederick Cllr Susan-Mari Wait Cllr Jozua Petrus Cllr Helena Cllr Johann Dyason Skosana 076 310 2173 Struwig Niemann 083 250 5968 Pretorius Gertruida de Klerk 083 241 3153 072 106 9677 078 674 8739 082 898 5486 082 083 9763 072 474 4088 083 264 7780

WARD 17 WARD 18 WARD 19 WARD 20 WARD 21 WARD 22 WARD 23 WARD 24 Cllr Marumo Jim Cllr Elphus Thabo Cllr Ratstsi Grencenia MMC Mondli Itumeleng Cllr Petros Mhlonishwa Cllr Thabo Patric Motau Cllr Linah Joyce Cllr Dion Leonard Paul Sekgwele Motsepe Mamogale Kgalema Financial Masilela 082 527 6897 Ntombikayise Zondo 072 985 9502 076 323 6823 082 843 1413 078 198 2763 Services 079 194 9187 083 550 8668 083 860 9720

WARD 25 WARD 26 WARD 27 WARD 28 WARD 29 Cllr Patrick Vusumuzi Cllr Mandla Marks Cllr Abraham Mbete Cllr Thabang Nathaniel Cllr Maria Nomgqibelo Malinga 071 267 8954 Skhosana 076 755 7033 Mahlangu 072 757 3867 Morufane 073 741 0021 Mathibela 079 466 4409 18 Steve Tshwete Local Municipality FACES OF COUNCIL PROPORTIONAL COMMITTEE

Cllr Akhona Cllr Asaph Bhekumuzi Cllr Anna Sophia Cllr Christina Makhosi Cllr Elizabeth du Toit Mangcotywa Marumo PR Grobler Mosoma 082 851 0312 PR 072 437 4727 PR 072 752 2696 076 830 3123 PR 083 712 6293 PR

Cllr Enos Sebesho Cllr Elias Morgan Cllr Gysbertus Hendrik Cllr Johanna Cllr Johannes Petrus 071 297 5157 PR Bruiners Ernest Romjin Ntombizodwa Duvenage 071 587 3888 PR 082 808 0387 PR Mthombeni 082 415 6895 PR 079 500 7237 PR

Khulong Justice Cllr Karel Philippus Cllr Lebogang Clement Cllr Maria Hadebe Cllr Daniel Andries Phasha Jacob Uys Masemola 072 236 1838 PR Stuurman 076 485 7263 PR 072 381 8945 PR 079 544 1087 PR 063 056 2323 PR

Cllr Poppy Mailo Cllr Palesa Mobango Cllr Anele Odwa Rose Vilakazi Cllr Robert 071 644 7505 PR 073 975 8544 PR Thabatha 063 571 1597 PR Mphikeleli Xaba 076 556 4422 PR 072 098 0492 PR

Cllr Stephanus Cllr Sophia Mamy Johannes Roos Mogola 082 452 3831 PR 072 148 2327 PR

COUNCIL SPEAKER Ensures that council meetings are conducted according to legislation. EXECUTIVE MAYOR Political head of the Municipality. COUNCIL WHIP Monitors councillors to ensure that they carry out their duties in a responsible manner. MEMBERS OF THE MAYORAL COMMITTEE Ensure the implementation of Mayoral Committee and Council Resolution meetings which must be attended by respective departments within the Municipality. They must also attend IDP, LED, Council, Community and Indaba meetings. WARD COUNCILLORS Are responsible for each of the 29 Wards in the jurisdiction of the Municipality and should adhere to the needs and grievances of residents through Ward Committee and Community meetings. PROPORTIONAL COUNCILLORS Must attend Ward Committee and Community meetings to note the needs of residents within the jurisdiction of the Municipality.

T: 013 249 7000 | F: 013 243 2550 | E: [email protected] | www.stlm.gov.za

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality 19 CULTURE AND HERITAGE

In the year of Nelson Mandela, Themba Senamela who was born and advancing transforming of South Africa’s bred in Mhluzi Township, within this Heritage Landscape, the Steve Tshwete Municipality. Local Municipality hosted a historic “I want to appreciate the contribution Heritage Day Celebration, where all tribes made by all our local struggle fi ghters within this City gathered to celebrate such as Themba Senamela and many their uniqueness in food, attire, music and others in shaping the history and socio- dance. political landscape of our Municipality. Led by the Executive Mayor, Cllr Themba Senamela gave up his youth Bagudi Tolo, who used this day to honour when he was only 14 years to join his fallen struggle heroes and heroines, such comrades in exile. He fought against the as Themba Senamela, this event attracted shackles of apartheid but he unfortunately the attention of both young and the old. never lived long to see and enjoy the fruits Cllr Tolo committed that his institution of democracy and freedom,” said Tolo. will work around the clock to preserve “I would also like to thank my their rich heritage and way of life. predecessors and the community,” he The Executive Mayor offi cially paid continued, “for recognising this stalwart, special tribute to fallen struggle fi ghter, by renaming the local stadium after him. I

20 Steve Tshwete Local Municipality CULTURE AND HERITAGE

also wish to thank his family for his life of generations but must be preserved for and contributions. I would like to thank prosperity. his family for allowing him to work for “When we keep on telling these good the people and the nation.” stories, our communities will be a place This year’s Heritage Day celebration to stay in, and we must share these good was held at the Themba Senamela stories with other people outside our Stadium in Mhluzi and was attended Municipality,” he said. by locals representing all the diff erent “A lot has happened in terms of ethnic groups and races. advancing the heritage and transformation The Executive Mayor further agenda in our Municipality. said there was a great need for his There are so many stories of how our Municipality to document and preserve Municipality transformed and progressed such good stories that seek to preserve to what it is today. These stories need to their heritage. be told over and over,” he emphasised. “We must display these good stories in On his parting shots, Tolo made a our public galleries, so that our children clarion call to the youth of today to always can learn about our rich heritage. Our strive to write their own history and leave heritage must not die with the passing their own legacy and heritage.

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality 21 LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

History was made when the rest of the franchise restaurant. women in the business industry. Growth Agency, National Youth Agency country witnessed as Middelburg’s own, Mhlanga and two other female This initiative was made possible by and Steve Tshwete Local Municipality. Ms Nontobeko Mhlanga became the entrepreneurs were selected to form part the Youth Chamber of Commerce and Her Galito’s restaurant was recently fi rst female owner of a Mobile Galito’s of the Government’s initiative to empower Industry SA, the Mpumalanga Economic offi cially launched and opened by the MEC responsible for Economic Development in the province, Mr Eric Skhumbuzo Kholwane, Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo and Director for Galito’s Mobile, Mr Kerry Murphy. The restaurant is based in Mhluzi, Extension 2 and currently employs about 10 permanent workers. Speaking during the offi cial opening of this mobile restaurant, MEC Kholwane said government is in a drive to breach the gap by creating equal opportunities for all. “It’s sad, but true, our women folk have suff ered a lot under the apartheid regime and they continue to suff er even now. And this cannot be right that even under the democratic rule women are still looked down at and side-lined from participating in the country’s economy,” said Kholwane. “I am happy that history is being made today,” he continued, “What we are seeing here today proves just how serious our government is in creating equal opportunities and empowering our women folk. “We are happy, as Government to see women raising their hands and taking part on issues of economic development. “We need more women to come to the MEC for Economic Development, Mr Eric Kholwane and Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo, Ward 23 Councillor Linah Zondo and the Regional Chairperson of the Youth space and participate in our economy by Chamber, Mr Xolani Masemula o cially open the restaurant. starting their own businesses.”

“You can’t do business and operate here in Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, but spend your money in other Provinces. This should come to an end.” This was a stern appeal by the Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo during his address to business people during the Municipal’s Business Breakfast, recently held at the Avalon Guest House in Arorand. “Businesses operating within our space should spend their money within our City and within our Province to help grow our economic status. Local people should be the fi rst ones to benefi t from Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo, Council Speaker, Cllr Andries Mabena, Chief Whip, Cllr Dorah Nkademeng and MMC Diphala Motsepe during the you, because they are the ones aff ected by your daily activities. For an example, Breakfast seminar. Eskom has three power stations within not in Gauteng,” argued Cllr Tolo. our communities and move our people economy of this Municipality. our municipality that generates money The purpose of this breakfast meeting forward,” continued Cllr Tolo. We want to appeal to our business from our Municipality and our people was solely to formally introduce Tolo to This Municipality is the economic hub people who are innovative and have are subjected to breathe and inhale the business community. of the province and boasts a number of fresh business ideas to come and invest the air that they have polluted, but its “I want to assure you, though, that the mines, steel companies and rich in energy. in our municipality. headquarters are not based within this municipality is open for business and “Our Municipality is dependent on The Municipality has land and we are city nor in this province. This doesn’t willing and ready to work with you. coal and energy and if these economic open for new business ideas,” said the make sense. Eskom should be here and Let us work together and help develop activities are aff ected, this may cripple the Municipal Manager, Mr Bheki Khenisa.

NAFCOC Provincial President, Mr Sydney Kunene, Everest Funerals’ Mr Danny Khesa, former Mayor, Ben Mokoena and other local business owners during the Business Breakfast.

22 Steve Tshwete Local Municipality LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The leader of St Peter’s Lutheran Church in Mhluzi, Dr Mandla Khumalo has attracted American investors to develop the community of Steve Tshwete. A fruitful meeting was held recently between his church, Steve Tshwete Local Municipality and American based non-profi t organization, Christian Outreach for Africa (COFA) to announce its intended community development programmes. The meeting was attended by STLM Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo, Rabbit Farm owner, Mr Dumisani Skhosana, Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Mr Madala Masuku and Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo during their Chief of Staff in the Offi ce of visit in the farm. the Mayor, Mr Jabu Sindane, delegates from COFA, Mr David Hannay and Mr Gary Grom who unveiled the intended projects which will contribute in our municipality. The Economic Development Deputy he needed a truck that’s soundproof fi nd solutions to Skhosana’s challenges. Minister, Mr Madala Masuku and and has a low temperature, is due to the Masuku asked an offi cial from the Steve Tshwete Local Municipal’s rabbits losing weight and sometimes dying the department of Local Economic Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo from trauma when transporting them to Development to look into funding for the recently visited a Middelburg based Johannesburg, and end up losing out on truck needed to transport the rabbits to “The rabbit breeding farm owned by Dumisani profi t. Johannesburg. second phase Skhosana. In response, the Deputy Minister, The Municipality committed itself to During this visit, both Masuku and Tolo Masuku promised to intervene and to help help provide suffi cient land. includes building a took a tour of the farm and found out more about rabbit breeding. health centre to serve The owner of the rabbit farm, Skhosana children of their received funding from the Mpumalanga Economic Development Agency (MEGA) schools” to start his farming project, named Sphanda Ngezikukhu Farm in 2016 and has been farming ever since. Even though Skhosana received some Dr Khumalo told the Mayor funding from the government parastal, but that COFA is the welfare division it wasn’t enough to run a fully functional of St Peter’s Lutheran Church in operation. America and it was established And so he turned to the municipality to do community development for help. During the deputy minister and on the African continent Execeutive Mayor’s visit to the farm, particularly: job creation, quality Skhosana used this opportunity to ask education, best health services for help from government. He asked that and taking care of orphans. the municipality sponsor him to buy an COFA delegates added that eight (8) ton truck to transport the rabbits they have assisted St Peter’s to the abattoir in Johannesburg and buy Lutheran Church in Mhluzi to machinery to produce food for the rabbits. establish two schools namely: He carefully explained that the reason Bethel Pre-School in 1993 and St Peter’s Christian College in 2011. This was phase one of the plan; the second phase includes building a health centre to serve In a bid to empower local communities Glencore came together and donated partnerships are solely meant to stimulate children of their schools. through the Local Development Plan, the R20 million which will go towards the the local economy and to create more Lindsey Berson, an American Municipality has entered into a number establishment of the fi rst ever Industrial sustainable business opportunities for our advanced practice nurse will of partnerships with the private sector Workshop Park in Mhluzi. people. team up with South Africa nurses with the sole idea of stimulating the local This Industrial Park will help formalise “What we have done, is entered into a to host well child checks-ups, economy. and professionalise the way our people partnership with Absa so that they are able optical care and professional Explaining their Local Economic conduct business. They will be able to partner with our people so that they are dental examinations. They Development plans, Municipal to move away from the old practise of real contributors in the economy. told the Mayor that the only Manger, Mr Bheki Khenisa said the conducting their businesses from their What we have also found was that challenge they have is land to Municipality want to see its very own homes and backyards,” he said. these people couldn’t compete because build the centres. people participating and becoming great “Recently, we have entered into yet of lack of funding to be able to do their The STLM Mayor applauded economic benefi ciaries. another venture with one of the country’s jobs. It is going to really uplift the lives this initiative and said these are “Not so long ago, we witnessed as big banks, Absa, where they have set aside of the people and that the 30% we are much needed services in the our partnership with South32 gave birth R50 million for our local Small Macro talking about will be real 30% to the municipality. to a R28 million health care centre for Medium Entrepreneurs. entrepreneurs,” said Khenisa. He then asked them to prepare the community of Rockdale. Out of this “All these partnerships that we have The Municipality has just signed a detailed presentation which he partnership, this community will soon entered into with the private sector are an MOU with the Chinese based will present before council to have their very own 24 hours clinic. proof enough that Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, Yingtan with an aim of decide. And again, we witnessed as three giant Municipality is not just about lip service enticing them into investing in the mining companies, Anglo, Exxaro and but we are more about actions. These Municipality. Steve Tshwete Local Municipality 23 PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

Mr Kgabi Masia and Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo and South32 o cials in front of the waste trucks.

After years without a decent Health own Health Care institution. Care facility, the community of Rockdale This was made possible through the will on Health Care fi nally have their very Private Public Partnership between the

South32’s Mr Kgabi Masia.

Mr Kgabi Masia and Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo standing in front of the two waste trucks that were handed over by South32. Mr Kgabi Masia and Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo listening to the MEC for Health, Ms Sasekani Manzini. 24 Steve Tshwete Local Municipality PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

Executive Director: Community Services Ms Thoko Zulu and members of the community and Municipal workers inf ront of the waste truck that was donated by South32.

Municipality, the department of health Executive Mayor, Cllr Tolo said this in the Province and the South32 gesture displayed by the mining company Company who committed to build a will help Government speed up the service 24 hour clinic for this community. delivery vehicle. Speaking during the sod-turning “This is a kind of partnership we need, event, which was attended by the because together we will be able to MEC responsible for Health in the build a developmental society. As a local Province, Ms Sasekani Manzini and Municipality, we are very pleased to be the Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi partnering with South32 in building this Tolo, Mr Kgabi Masia representing clinic. the mining company, South32, said, “We really appreciate their keen interest “Our investment in the Rockdale in wanting to come to the space and work Community Health Centre is meant with government in our bid to uplift and to be a humble contrinbution in an develop our communities,” said Tolo. attempt to bridge the gap that currently South32 further donated 1000 waste exists in our country, where 40 per bins, two waste compactor truck and one cent of the state’s resources on health tractor loader backhoe (TLB) all valued to care has to be stretched to cover 80 per a tune of R9 million to the Municipality. Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo, MEC for Health, Ms Sasekani Manzini and Mr Kgabi Masia during the SOD cent of the population,” said Masia. Turning ceremony. The announcement and commitment made by government and this giant mining company came just in time when this community has been demanding a Health Care centre for years now. Construction of this clinic is expected to kick-start in November and completed by September 2019. Over 100 temporary employment opportunities will be created during construction period a further 20 opportunities to open after the clinic has been completed. “This is really good news for us. We are not just excited about the clinic but happy because local residents will get jobs from this clinic. “There are so many young people who are job hunting and this will help decrease the unemployment rate in the community,” said local resident, Mr James Mahlangu who attended the Sod-turning ceremony. South32’S investment in the clinic will including paying of health care professionals for a period of two years and awarding those pursuing careers in this fi eld to complete their studies. Steve Tshwete Local Municipality 25 PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

The Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo “Tonight, is certainly one of my has committed his institution to continue favourite events of the year…because, support and partnering with the Paul after 13 years, the Paul Mthimunye Mthimunye Bursary Fund. Bursary Fund has demonstrated a solid “We therefore wish to pledge our commitment in educating the youth of this commitment once again and indicate, community. As one of the sponsors, the that, for as long as the Steve Tshwete Steve Tshwete Local Municipality remains Municipality is fi nancially viable, our proud to be associated with the bursary contributions and support will continue,” fund, a community initiative whose aim he committed. is to educate and improve the lives of our Tolo was speaking during the Paul children,” continued Tolo. Mthimunye Bursary Fund’s fundraising “It is admirable to know that we have gala. assisted 45 students who have followed The Bursary Fund was started by Mr Maths, Science, Accounting, Engineering, Paul Mthimunye, who started this fund Law and other fi elds of study in order to to assist needy and deserving high school keep up with the principle of supply and learners and tertiary students within the demand in the labour market. Steve Tshwete Local Municipality. Education belongs not only to the child “We will continue supporting the Paul but to the community also. Education Mthimunye Bursary Fund for as long starts at home and continues in schools, as it continues to successfully assist our within families, communities, and children to become professionals and society. Despite the various degrees leaders in our community, who I hope of responsibility taken by each group, will see to it that they Pay it Forward in none can be the sole agent to take 100% some way to future generations in our responsibility for educating children,” he community,” continued Tolo. went on. Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo.

In the spirit of honouring the former We Care Foundation said they were state President, Dr Nelson Mandela’s happy to be part of this initiative aimed legacy, the Steve Tshwete Local to changing and empowering lives in this Municipality in partnership with the We manner. Care Foundation came to the aid of Gogo “There reason why we decided to be Sahara Skosana’s family who have been involved here is because we believe so longing for a decent roof above their much in looking and taking care of our heads for over a decade now. senior citizens. This is just the beginning Gogo Sahara and her 17 family because we intend doing more than just members have been living in a dilapidated this. We are happy we were able to help house with cracked walls and roof, but this family in this fashion. We hope that this changed and thanks to the partnership they will value their new gift and always of these two institutions who donated look after it with such care,” said Mbatha. their time and resources to ensure that this The jubilant Gogo Sahara and her family has a decent house. family said they had long given up on According to the Council Spokesperson, a dream of ever owning a decent house Ms Prudence Magutle, the family’s plight since they have been trying for years to was fi rst identifi ed by the Ward Councillor get assistance but in vain. in Mhluzi Township and brought the “Our lives have changed for the better matter forward to the council. since we received this gift and we intend “Our Council Speaker, Cllr Andries looking and protecting this present with Mabena was very instrumental in this our lives. We would like to thank the project, as he personally helped in municipality and the We Care Foundation tracking down the We Care Foundation for their gesture. We can only hope and who was equally happy to lend a helping pray that they grow stronger from this hand. Together, we were able to build so that they are able to continue their a decent house for the family,” said good work of helping those who are less Magutle. fortunate,” said a family member, Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo and Ward 28 Councillor Thabang Morufane hand over a house to gogo Sarah Ms Nthabiseng Mbatha of the Ms Fikile Myeni. Myeni. 26 Steve Tshwete Local Municipality PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

The fi rst of its kind Industrial Park earmarked for Mhluzi will help formalise backyard businesses and stimulate the local economy. This was spelled out by the Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo during the offi cial Sod-Turning ceremony held in Mhluzi where the Indutsrial Workshop Park is being built. “Our partnership with the mines involved here, Exxaro, Anglo and Glencore will help us turn our local small businesses into medium and big enterprises. This initiative will not only create stability and professionalism to our local business people but it will stimulate the local economy,” said Tolo. Construction has already begun with the phase fi rst scheduled to be completed in December, whilst the second phase earmarked for March 2019. The three mines involved in this initiative have brought in R20 million to build this Industrial Park while the municipality provided the land. “We are really excited about this partnership with the mines. “This will help people who are working in backyards in the township to get the opportunity to move and work from here, and also allow space for those who want to start new companies and business ventures. “We are very excited with this because it is the fi rst of its kind in Mhluzi and it is in line with our Township Economic Development,” continued Tolo. Asked how is the Municipality going to ensure that this Park doesn’t become a white elephant, Cllr Tolo responded, “We are very much alive to that type of a situation whereby such initiatives are started and only to be abandoned later. But as a Municipality, we are going to see to it that this Park is properly utilised. We are going to pass a bylaw, which is already in the process of being adopted, so that we don’t allow people any longer to have businesses in their backyards. This bylaw is going to force people to work from the Park and we think in that way this place will not be vandalised but Exxaro’s Mr Mthokozisi Shezi, Anglo’s Mr Michael Dugmore, Executive Director: Infrastructure and Technical Services, Mr April Ntuli and Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi used on a permanent bases for the benefi t of all.” Tolo during the Sod-Turning ceremony for the development of the Industrial Park to empower Township Economy. Even though the park is based in the Mhluzi Township, but Tolo made it clear that it will be opened for anyone within the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality who would want to do business. “Ours as Exxaro is empowering possibilities and so when we have an opportunity that exists such as this one, we take it by both hands, and become part and parcel of the project, because ultimately we understand that we are not going to be here forever. We understand that as we work the mines, we should at the same time start to develop other industries that will remain post mining that has happened over the years. And this is our small way of creating a better and sustainable future for our communities,” said Exxaro’s Mr Mthokozisi Shezi. Anglo’s Mr Michael Dugmore said, “It was during our engagements with the municipality since they had a vision of creating an Industrial Park in Mhluzi Township and that resonated with us because I think we agree with the rationale behind that vision and so after various long discussions such as what form would this take we decided to come aboard and be park of history. It has taken a long time but I am very glad that at the end it has materialised. This has been a good example of a partnership at its best.” Exxaro’s Mr Mthokozisi Shezi, Anglo’s Mr Michael Dugmore, Executive Director: Infrastructure and Technical Services, Mr April Ntuli and Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo lay some foundation bricks. Steve Tshwete Local Municipality 27 PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

One of the country’s giant banks, Absa “We are hoping that as we grow, we and the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality would be in a position to increase the have set aside a staggering R50 million funding but we feel strongly that the which will go towards the development R50 million is going to be a very good of Small Micro Medium Enterprises base to start and stimulate the local (SMME). economy here. This move is, according to the “We are looking forward at seeing council’s Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi many success stories coming from this Tolo, in line with their Township partnership,” said Mbatsane. Economic Development and war against The Nafcoc’s Provincial President, unemployment. Mr Sydney Kunene has applauded this “This initiative is going to better the partnership and welcomed the R50 lives of our people. The Municipality is million injection. standing at 17% unemployment rate and “We are very excited about this about three quarters of this percentage move because it is meant to benefi t goes to young people. the very people that we are leading This partnership between us and Absa as Nafcoc. We want to applaud Absa couldn’t have come at a better time. Our bank for coming to the party, their aim is to try and make a dent on this army Municipal Manager, Mr Bheki Khenisa, Absa’s Mr Ronnie Mbatsane and Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo. decision coincides with our national of unemployed young people and one way that this Municipality is growing at a rate Tolo, “There is inconsistency therefore objective of the Economic Stimulus of making a dent is to turn some of them of about 4, 4%, making it the province’s between the growth of the Municipality Package as announced by our National into contractors and being entrepreneurs. highest and fastest growing municipalities. and the growth of the economy, and this President. We want a situation where people who Tolo argued that the ever growing is the reason why we have about 17% Putting these initiatives together are job seekers become job creators, population is due to the fact that his unemployment rate, but we are confi dent will exactly be addressing the plight people who are consumers of goods institution is one of the best run in the that with partnerships such as these we of our people and that will be a big become producers of goods, and we are province and country. would be able to overcome this.” change in us seeing people taking saying the partnership we have with Absa “This Municipality is well run,” he Absa’s Mr Ronnie Mbatsane said they their space in the economic front of will help us turn around the situation,” argued. just wanted to help the Municipality this Municipality and also creating said Tolo during the offi cial launch of this “Sadly, the economy of this develop a strong SMME base by off ering employment which is the most serious ground-breaking partnership. Municipality doesn’t grow at the same much needed fi nancial aid to small and problem that we are faced with in the Recent statistic studies have shown speed as that of the population,” continued medium enterprises. country,” said Kunene.

In a ground breaking move, this ever growing Municipality in the Province has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Chinese based Municipality, the City of Yingtan. The signing of the MOU signalled the offi cial beginning of bilateral talks between these two giant Municipalities. Thoroughly and carefully explaining details of this MOU, the Municipal Manager Mr Bheki Khenisa said the City of Yingtan has a reputable track record within the IT sector and they are hoping to learn more from them. “This is a Sister to Sister relationship and what we want to do is share ideas that will be benefi cial to our people. This is one of the Cities in China that are very successful and so we want to share the learnings with them, but we also want to open our Municipality for investments. There’s a challenge in our Steve Tshwete Local Municipality led by Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo and Municipal Manager, Mr Bheki Khenisa and City of Yingtan led by Mr Lee sign an MOU. Municipality, given the fact that we are reliant on the mines, so we want to bring Khenisa. and we are both very strong in Agriculture African warm welcome. This is the in investors. He said their City is the biggest in and Tourism. fi rst time we arrive in South Africa Above all, the Chinese based term of Tourism in the whole of China But, honestly, they are not the only ones and this Municipality, but we were Municipality is well ahead and doing and argued that Steve Tshwete Local we are targeting,” went on Khenisa. amazed and fascinated by the beauty well with regards to technology and Municipality only gets R1. 2 billion and The delegates from China were taken on and the many similarities for the since we are also in the process of therefore there’s a great need for us to also a tour to Columbus, which manufactures signing or business trip. turning our Municipality into a Smart invest in Tourism. stainless steel. “After we arrived the fi rst thing we City, we have dimmed it necessary to “The reason why we wanted to work The tour was meant to give them fi rst- saw was the beauty of this country. work with the City of Yingtan so we with this Municipality was that they were hand experience of how the Municipality You must remember that we are can learn more about technology and also eager and willing to work with us treats investors. both part and parcel of Brics and we eventually turn 100% digital,” said since we share a number of similarities “We would like to thank you for your also saw it fi t for us to come here and learn. “We are here to achieve two goals and that is fortify strong relations for our people. We are here to learn more from this country. We are an area with 250 0000 with a population of 1, 3 million. “We are hoping that these bilateral talks between us will yield positive results for our people. Whilst we are here, we will look into investment opportunities which will hopefully create employment opportunities for the people of this Steve Tshwete Local Municipality and City of Yingtan representatives visit Columbus. Municipality,” said Mr Lee. 28 Steve Tshwete Local Municipality MUNICIPAL HIGHLIGHTS

Execu� ve Mayor extends services to Hendrina Just as he promised when taking offi ce, the Execu� ve Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo offi cially handed over completed projects in Hendrina and New Execu� ve Mayor is Inaugurated Kwazamokuhle respec� vely. Tolo handed over � tle deeds, roads and a Steve Tshwete Local Municipality offi cially inaugurate, Cllr Bagudi Tolo as water plant. He also offi cially opened his new offi ces in Hendrina where he the new Execu� ve Mayor. In his maiden speech, Tolo promised to speed up will be based once a month and interact with the people within Hendrina the service delivery vehicle and extend Municipal services to communi� es and surroundings. of Hendrina and surroundings.

The year 2018 has proven to be a great year for the Municipality and its people in as far as Service Delivery is concerned. Communities within the Municipality were the greatest benefi ciaries as a number of projects, ranging from water, roads and storm water and houses were successfully completed and handed over. Masakhane News take this time to look back at the year that was.

Municipality appoints new Manager

Municipality hosts business dialogue Following months without a permanent Municipal Manager, In a bid to cement � es with the business fraternity, the Municipality hosted Council fi nally appointed Mr Bheki a Business Dialogue at the Avalon Guest House in Aerorand, where a Khenisa as the new Manager. His number of pressing and tough issues were discussed. appointment was welcomed and During this dialogue, Execu� ve Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo appealed for supported by all including poli� cal support from businesses opera� ng within this Municipality. par� es. Khenisa comes with vast experience within the Local Government spectrum.

Women march against Women and Children abuse Water reservoir for Kwazamokuhle About 2000 women, men and children took a stand and marched against A massive water reservoir was built to supply portable water for the the abuse of Women and Children. They were joined by the members of community of Kwazamokuhle. The reservoir will also supply clean running the Local SAPS who together conducted door to door campaigns with an water to the newly developed areas. The reservoir was constructed from aim of acquiring fi rst-hand informa� on on the above topic. an en� re budgeted R4, 3 million.

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality 29 BY LAWS AND POLICIES

Council has agreed that there is a need to amend the fi reworks by-laws. This transpired during a sitting in August, where the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance agreed that an all-round public participation should be encouraged to amend the town’s by-laws in regards to the prohibition and control over the discharging of fi reworks. The ANC highlighted the dangers to both humans and animals with regards to the discharging of fi reworks while the DA called on full public participation on this matter so that the by-laws can be amended to control the practice. The DA’s Cllr Gys Romijin urged the council to make the public participation process for comments on the proposed amendments clear and easily understandable. Cllr Romijin argued that public participation processes are regularly hampered by legal jargon, unclear The following is recommended adult in charge of handling all • Light fi reworks indoors or in specifi cations on how to comment and when dealing with fi reworks. fi reworks. cars. confusion in the way the documents are • Try to re-light any fi reworks drafted. The Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi DO’s: DONT’s: that did not fully ignite. Tolo said the amended by-law would • Read instructions and all soon be open for public scrutiny and • Buy fi reworks from street • Carry fi reworks in a pocket. also called on councillors to go into their cautionary labels. vendors and unlicensed retailers. • Set off fi reworks in glass or constituencies and explain the processes to • Buy fi reworks from reliable and • Give any fi reworks, including metal containers — the fragments their constituents. reputable sellers. sparklers, to children. can cause severe injury. It also came to light during the fi nal • Wear safety glasses to protect • Lean over to light fi reworks. • Combine ingredients of diff erent Council meeting held in Hendrina on your eyes from fl ying sparks or Many people often do this fi reworks. November 27, that this matter was indeed debris. to block the wind, but this is brought forward for public participation. • Keep a bucket of water or fi re extremely dangerous. All fi reworks confi scated from Speaker, Cllr Andries Mabena said extinguisher on hand. • Point or throw fi reworks at illegal traders will be discarded and a during this meeting, “Let us encourage the • Have a knowledgeable, sober someone, ever. fi ne will be issued. public to make comments on this matter.”

Natural disasters such as fi re, fl oods and addressing the roles and responsibilities a mine shaft with a gas pipe leaking relocation. storms are occurring globally daily. of various stakeholders within the surrounded by a community was Councillors were urged to identify The question is how prepared are we if municipality when disaster such as air brought on table for discussion and threads in their communities and to come such incidents strike in our Municipality? pollution, fl oods, sinkholes and severe councillors were challenged on how up possible solutions to respond to those The South African Local Government storms strike. they could respond to such a natural threads. Authority (SALGA) hosted a Disaster Mr Favorite Kganye from SALGA disaster. Nature hazards identifi ed during Management workshop to empower Steve during his presentation asked diffi cult In respond the councilors said discussions within Steve Tshwete are: Tshwete Local Municipality councillors to questions, “Natural disasters do happen. this mine poses a serious danger of old water pipes, old electricity cables, respond to state of emergency on Tuesday, If natural disasters can strike in Steve explosion. The lives of the community sinkholes, cracked houses caused by 03 July at Sydney Choma Banquet Hall. Tshwete area, what can you do? surrounding it would be threatened, mines blasting to name but a few. STLM Councillors, members of Fire Are you aware of the risks which are a urgent relocation was recommended to During closing remarks, councilors were Department and Parks Department came thread to this community? How can you minimize the risk and the Department advised to submit identifi ed threads to the together under one roof to form part respond to these natural disasters?” of Mineral and Energy would be the council to be captured in the IDP so that of this workshop which was aimed at During the discussion the scenario of relevant stakeholder to assist with they could be budget.

The ever escalating crime rate has “Besides that, we also had a situation forced the Municipality to revisit its where we couldn’t go to certain safety and security plans. buildings in which we were aware And in response to this scourge, that there were drugs and prostitution Municipal Manager, Mr Bheki Khenisa activities there. But because we lacked said the Municipality has rolled out the evidence we couldn’t just go in there. installation of CCTV cameras all over the But we have just passed a by-law that Central Business District (CDB). talks about these problematic buildings. “This is another critical issue that we We refer to them as problematic have had to deal with. We have seen that buildings because they are really crime was coming up and we have gone problematic and many people have out to the markets and we are now happy complained to us and the police. to say that we are putting cameras all This by-law will give us the right over the town. to go into those buildings, and crack These cameras which will be monitored whatever activities are being conducted 24 hours daily will help us clean our there. Those activities there aff ect other streets. This will in turn help bring back people, and it is our duty as government confi dence within our business and to protect all our people intervening in property owners,” he said. situations such as these. The cameras He explained the negative eff ects crime will help us monitor activities and has on the development of the Town gather enough evidence,” continued and its Townships and surroundings and can’t even control it. who will in return create job opportunities Khenisa. settlements. So installing these state-of-the-art for our people,” explained Khenisa. These buildings in question, are those “There is absolutely no way investors cameras will help us combat crime and He said these cameras will also help that have been registered as Guest would want to come and invest in a hopefully get to reap the rewards of them with the evidence needed for a Houses but activities inside are those of Municipality that is crime trotted attracting more businesses and investors, successful prosecution. prostitution and drugs.

30 Steve Tshwete Local Municipality MANDELA DAY

The year 2018, marked the centenary of the World renown’s people leader, • Handing over of an RDP house Dr Nelson Mandela and in honouring his legacy, the Municipality led by its which was constructed by #We political head, Executive Mayor Bagudi Tolo took some time o their busy Care Foundation to a granny living schedules and got their hands dirty by doing charity work. The Municipality, with 18 family members. The in partnership with various organisations, business fraternity and the general Foundation also donated furniture public, embarked on a number of uplifting programmes in various parts of the and and food for the family. Municipality. • Handover of a replaced asbestos roof with an IBR steel roof to the Bhuda family in Extension 5.

• Grass cutting and trimming of trees at Middelburg District Hospital.

• Cleaning of streams around OR Tambo and Adelaide Tambo Parks in Mhluzi.

• Cleaning of the streams around Kees Taaljaard Park and Eco Park in Hendrina.

• Donation of gifts to fi ve centres for children with disabilities within the Municipality.

• Donations of gifts to six centres for senior citizens throughout the Municpality.

• Donations of Bio-heat stoves to child headed households as identifi ed by the Department of Social Development and Child Welfare.

• Donation of school shoes and bags to Manyano Primary School in a joint venture with Joyous Celebrations.

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality 31 BE SAFE AND ARRIVE ALIVE

In a drive to intensify the Arrive Alive Campaign for the Festive season and beyond, the Municipality offi cially launched the Automatic Registration Identifi cation System. This state-of-the-art technology vehicle powered with computerised sensors, is able to sense and recognise if a vehicle has pending traffi c fi nes or warrant of arrest or not, just by reading a vehicles’ number plates. Previously, the Municipality didn’t have a mechanism in place to check and see who owes them in traffi c fi nes and as a result ended up losing over R10 million in revenue. “We are just collecting what is owed to us. There was a tendency of not paying for ticket fi nes by motorists, but this will be something of the past,” said Mr Frank Mohloane, Deputy Director Traffi c, Safety and Security. He explained that if you are found to have outstanding traffi c fi nes and do not have the money, the Municipal Traffi c Offi cials have the powers to arrest and place you in police holding cells until you make an appearance to the Magistrate always vigilant whenever using our roads Previous reports and statistics have especially in townships, because after a Court. this Festive holidays to avoid accidents. proven that most road accidents are a drinking spree they just walk around in the Speaking during the offi cial launch of But moreover, I would like to send a cause of human error and on top of the list roads and putting their own lives at risk. the Automatic Registration Identifi cation stern warning to all motorists to refrain is driving under the infl uence and fatigue. So I would like to also appeal to them to system, the MMC for Public Safety, Cllr from drinking and driving. If you know So, we need to be vigilant and be safe,” exercise safety at all times.” Catherine Mkhuma appealed to all road that you are going to be drinking, rather said MMC Mkhuma. “The most important She said this new computerised users to be tolerant and refrain from do it with at the comfort of your own thing in life is life itself, so let us be safe,” programme falls well with their plans of drinking and driving. home so that you don’t become a risk to she continued, “We encounter a lot of turning this Municipality into a “I want to appeal to all road users to be yourself and other road users. challenges with pedestrians or jay-walkers Smart City.

MMC for Public Safety, Cllr Catherine Mkhuma is interviewed by members of the media. MMC for Public Safety, Cllr Catherine Mkhuma is  anked by Mr Frank Mohloane and a tra c o cial. 32 Steve Tshwete Local Municipality PEOPLE’S VIEWS

VOX POP

Young residents of Steve Tshwete Council held its fi nal sitting of the year Local Municipality speak out on in Hendrina at the Cosmos Community their expectations from their Local Hall on Tuesday, November 27, where a Municipality. number of issues were deliberated. Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Community members who formed part Tolo took over reigns after he of the sitting got to see and learn how was deployed by his political Council operates. organisation, the ANC on May 2018. On top of the Council’s agenda was the Having been deployed into this remedial measures for skipping and not position, he has the mandate taking council matters seriously. to lead communities within this Council Speaker, An dries Mabena asked Municipality, such as Middelburg the ANC deployed Councillor, Johanna and Hendrina for the next three Mitchell who was reported to have missed years. three consecutive Council meetings, to Masakhane News have taken some give reasons why she had been absent. time out to nd out what changes “I want to take the opportunity and Council Speaker, Cllr Andries Mabena makes a ruling. and development young people apologise to the organisation (ANC). I want from the new Executive Mayor was sick, and I know and the Municipality. “I put the organisation into a diffi cult situation. But it was due to my ill-health, but I submitted my sick note from June until August,” explained Cllr Mitchell. After her apology she was asked to excuse herself from the House where Council decided to impose a R10 000 fi ne for being absent. “Given the explanation we were given by Councillor Mitchell about her ill-health, I propose that we fi ne her an amount of R10 000, because even with that explanation, the Councillor knows that she must take Council matters seriously,” proposed Cllr Johan EFF's Cllr Lebogang Masemola. Matshiane, a motion to which the House supported. There was a sight of shock and surprise from the public gallery and the parties’ Bongani Yende benches, but Speaker Mabena cautioned, I am a nal year student; I want to “Honourable Councillors, you mustn’t be see a Government that is free of surprised or shocked because we all took corruption. I know that is inevitable, an oath to take and put Council matters but we can reduce it. We need a before anything else.” leader who will take issues of young The DA’s Councillor, Palesa Mobango people seriously and look at ways of asked the Speaker to furnish the house empowering them, because if you with Cllr Mitchell’s sick note. invest in young people, you certainly “Before I go any further, may we be are investing in the future. please furnished with this proof, because we cannot work with hear-says. EFF's Cllr Poppy Mailola. Section 15 of the Council Rules of Order is clear, and the DA Caucus of Steve Tshwete Local Municipality are of the opinion that the enforcement of the Rules of Order should be taken very seriously and the rule of law as well. The only thing that we seek clarity from is the said document (sick note) that says she was sick for three months,” said Cllr Mobango. “I am glad that in general terms we agree with the Rules of Order for Council, but beyond that we must be in our application of the law, also be sympathetic because the Republic of South Africa believes in the collective justice. Thus one would agree and second Local Traditional Leaders in attendance during the Council Sitting. the penalty imposed on those who have Sarah Lekgodi infringed in this regard and not taking A lot of young people worked work of Council seriously. towards this current Government But we must agree that beyond that, we coming to power in the 2016 do not expect the same Councillor(s) to be election. That being said, the big found guilty of the same off ence,” jumped question is what do I expect from in Cllr Mondli Kgalema. this Government? The rst thing Two EFF’s councillors, Poppy Mailola for me is, I want the mayor to and Akhona Mangcotywa were also found work on the unemployment rate guilty for being absent from Council in this City. I’m tired of folks and meetings for three consecutive times those in Government clamoring and were also fi ned R10 000 each. Cllr about wanting youths to be self Mailola is also facing expulsion from enterprising and all. That’s not a bad Council pending the MEC for Cogta Mr thing in itself but we all cannot be Speedy Mashilo’s recommendations. DA's Cllr Palesa Mobango. self enterprising. The civil service Also of importance, Cllr Johannes and other Government bodies to R114, 8 million for the month of administration and our political Skhosana praised the Municipality for should be ne tuned to embrace October only is clear proof that we are component for the constant and being able to run its fi nances accordingly. the great number of unemployed still doing well in terms of fi nances, consistent role they collectively “The ANC Caucus is happy in the youth. Then I would also want to see moreover, our systems are still play in ensuring that this manner in which the fi nances of the the mayor hit the ground running as benefi ting our citizens. Municipality remains the beacon Municipality are being managed and regards the power sector, because We therefore want to pay of hope compared to many other utilised, the fact that we managed to Power is Life. realise (collect) a revenue amounting (recommend) our communities, the Municipalities,” said Cllr Skhosana.

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality 33 IMPORTANT NUMBERS

As the year 2018 draws to a close and of special people whose dreams and we are preparing to celebrate and enjoy aspirations continue to shape our the Festive Holidays, let us pause for a collective identity and search for a better moment and ask ourselves, “What have future for all. we done to make a diff erence in our And as usual, our Municipality will environment and on other people’s lives.” be receiving guests and tourists from all If you haven’t done anything, it’s not around the globe. And so, let us open our too late to make a change. Remember, arms to welcome all our visitors and let us this is a season for sharing, caring and show them the true meaning of Ubuntu. showing love to others, especially those During this time of joy let us remember who are less fortunate. the other families who will experience For all of us, the Festive Season is sorrow, sadness and grief as a result of a time of joy and peace. But for other road carnage that does not only rob us of families it becomes the time of sorrow our family members and friends but also and sadness, because they don’t have the cost the economy of South Africa billions means to celebrate the Festive Holidays. of Rands. The Festive Season is also the perfect Therefore as a Municipality we are time to wish one another joy, love and calling upon all road users and pedestrians peace and these are my wishes for you to exercise care, caution and patience this Festive Season. as they will be driving to their diff erent May this Festive Season sparkle destinations of choice. and shine, may all of your wishes and May the Christmas season fi ll your dreams come true, and may you feel this home with joy, your heart with love and happiness all year round. your life with laughter. Wishing you a Steve Tshwete Local Municipality very blessed Festive Holidays and we look is a very special place. It is the place forward to seeing you in 2019. Executive Mayor, Cllr Bagudi Tolo.

Having worked in diff erent therefore reports directly to the Executive Student Movement, COSAS and Governmental Departments, for over Mayor. served as an Organiser when it was 18 years, the Chairperson for Municipal It is not the case. The MPAC report still banned in 1988. Public Accounts Committee (MPAC), Cllr directly to Council and its functions are to We operated underground. In 1991, Robert Mayoyo Xaba is ready for the next conduct oversight,” explains Xaba. after the unbanning I continued to move. His current position as Chairperson, serve as Regional Organiser of COSAS At the age of 49 years, Cllr Xaba is to exercise oversight as delegated and I moved to join the ANC Youth feels he has achieved what many in by Council, promote transparency, League. his age hasn’t and there’s no stopping public accountability and ensure good I became the fi rst Chairperson of the this energetic leader. “I have travelled Governance in the Municipality as in Youth League after it was unbanned the World and I have seen and done so terms of Section 53 and 59 of the Local and the fi rst Regional Treasurer of the much,” he says. “And now, I feel that I am Government: Municipal Systems Act, REC in Nkangala,” he says. ready to go and represent my Province at Act 32 of 2000. In terms of section 79 He also served as COSATU Regional National Parliament. We must move on of the Municipal Structure Act No117 Organiser in 1994. In the same year, and make way for the younger generation of 1998, the MPAC will assist Council 1994 while he was still the Youth to take over,” he continues. But before he to eff ectively and effi ciently exercise its League Chairperson, he secretly met heads to Parliament, if he is seconded and functions and powers. with the former President, Nelson elected, Cllr Xaba wants to focus to make Before elected to this position, Cllr Mandela together with former ANC his Unit, the MPAC known to the general Xaba served as Council Speaker between leader, Mr January Che Masilela. public. 2010 and 2016. His political career He holds a National Diploma in “In the past, there was confusion and dates back in the late 1980s before the Industrial Relations and a qualifi cation the general public thought that the MPAC unbanning of political organisations. in Business Management with Wits Cllr Robert Mayoyo Xaba. is part of the Mayoral Committee and “I started my political career with the University. Steve Tshwete Local Municipality Important Numbers

City Council Electricity – 013 294 7223 Switchboard – 013 249 7000 24 Hours Call Centre – 013 249 8300 Electricity Enquiries – 013 249 7223 Electricity Street Lights Enquiries – 013 249 7236 Fire Services – 013 249 7222 Refuse Removals – 013 249 7024 Sewerage/Water/Roads/Stormwater – 013 249 7168

The Municipal O ces will be closed on 21 December 2018 - 02 January 2019

34 Steve Tshwete Local Municipality SPORT

The Woza Nabangani Bakho Chess Academy affi liated under the Steve Tshwete Local Sports Council has started off ering afterschool training programmes to children and youths from the age of four (4) to 21 years from all Primary and Secondary schools. The learners are taken through extensive training which covers the basics for beginners up to professional level. The chess lessons in coaching and mentoring are off ered free of charge to the youth in all the schools around Mhluzi. The academy’s vision is to promote awareness of the game in society, identify young talent and develop it in order to create future champions. The annual Paul Mthimunye The Woza Nabangani Bakho Chess Big Walk attracted both the young Academy was established in 2012 by and old, who gladly donated their Alex Mnisi and Licky Sibiya. The aim time and energy for this noble was to take the game of chess to the cause. same level of popularity as soccer is This event, which is aimed in townships. Alex and Lucky started at raising funds was attended introducing the game to all the schools by amongst others, the Council in Mhluzi. The game gained serious Speaker, Cllr Andries Mabena, momentum, so much so that it received Councillors and members of the widespread support from teachers, community. learners and parents. They then decided Proceeds go towards the Paul to offi cially register the academy as a Mthimunye Bursary Fund, which non-profi t entity in February 2013. has so far proven instrumental The academy has participated for the in paying for young people’s third consecutive year at the annual education at tertiary institutions. Jacob G Zuma Chess Tournament Here are some of the moments which is held every December in as captured through our lenses. KwaZulu Natal Province. The tournament sponsored by the former president’s Jacob G Zuma Foundation started with only 60 young participants and the numbers have grown to more than 300 learners taking part every year. Chess is a game played by two players, competing against each other. Pool Table team shines Each player has sixteen pieces at the beginning of the game: made up of one king, one queen, two rooks, two Steve Tshwete Municipal Pool bishops, two knights, and eight pawns. Table team received Bronze With the exception for the prevention during the SAIMSA Games of Alzheimer’s Disease, Chess has proven to play a vital role in helping held in Swaziland. The home the learners reach their best academic Pool Table team, nished the performance as it raises one’s IQ and tournament on the third spot and exercise on both sides of the brain. It made a name for themselves by also increases creativity and improves becoming Mpumalanga Province’s the memory. only team to nish within the “Chess improves the thinking ability and problem-solving skills in Top three bracket. The games children. This is critically important were attended and open to all for the academic achievements of the Municipalities within the SADC learners especially in learning areas of Region. More than 40 teams Mathematics and Physical Sciences,” participated in this tournament. Alex Mnisi said.

History was written when the oldest that alternating the race will become there was a lot of work to be done at the held in and around the Dam area. and largest charity event in the Province, inevitable. Dam, but with the commitment from the The GTR’s objective is to make a the Greatest Train Race (GTR) started in With a lot of deliberation and eMalahleni Municipal Council in bringing diff erence by ploughing back to local Middelburg and fi nished in eMalahleni. discussions with various stakeholders the facilities up to a safe standards, we communities and it has become a During the fi rst couple of years, the and venues on the space needed to host were confi dent that together, we would prestigious event with a proud history. race alternated between Witbank and an event of this magnitude, the clear turn this event into the event of the year,” The GTR organisers are committed to Middelburg, but as the years went by the option was The Witbank Dam. said Chantal Bekker, GTR Chairlady. many charities. race got too complicated and an agreement Witbank Dam is known as the The long distance race started in Organisers say the real benefi t of was reached that the race would only go largest Municipal Dam in the Southern Middelburg in front of Nkangala District hosting such a biggest event in the one way, and that was from eMalahleni to hemisphere and boasts a catchment Municipality in Walter Sisulu Street, Province at the Witbank Dam, is to Middelburg. area of more than 3 540 square travelling along the R555, through town create jobs, attract both domestic and With the race concept changing over kilometres. and past the Ridge Casino to the dam. international tourists for future use the last two years, it became evident “We were aware from the onset that The 4.9KM fun run and team run was of the Dam. Steve Tshwete Local Municipality 35 Sport

013-249-7000 www.stlm.gov.za [email protected]

The local Mavericks Cricket Team Model C schools. This will contribute to hoping that more young people will take will campaign at the Provincial Cricket transformation the Municipality through a leaf from this and consider playing Competition with pride following a the Youth Aff airs Offi ce endeavours to sporting codes formerly reserved for the generous donation of much needed cricket achieve. minority. kit courtesy of the Steve Tshwete Local We know that sport plays a very “We need more young people to Municipality. important role in the promotion of social be involved in these sporting codes, The kit was offi cially handed over to cohesion and that is why we have decided such as rugby, cricket, swimming this shining team by Executive Mayor, to help these youngsters with their cricket and tennis,” went on Tolo. Cllr Bagudi Tolo who encouraged the kit,” said Tolo during the offi cial handover On parting, Tolo further players to don their new kit with pride of the kit. encouraged these future stars not and represent the Municipality well in This local team is predominantly to abandoned their school work the Provincial competition which is set to Somaza Secondary School learners and and education. kick-off next season. has been part of the local league until it “Our country needs educated “We are particularly excited about this recently qualifi ed to participate in the sportsmen and women and so achievement by the youth of Mhluzi Provincial League. I would like to plead with you Township, since this game has always “As a Local Municipality, we expect all, to always take education been dominated by white kids in former so much from these youngsters. We are seriously,” said Tolo.

Steve Tshwete Local Municipality