Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya announced her 100-day action plan aimed at revitalising the capital city on Wednesday, October 30 in Pretoria.
“When I was elected as the Executive Mayor on October 9, I pledged to prioritise the delivery of quality basic services for all residents, making it a matter of principle rather than politics,” Moya stated.
The mayor acknowledged the challenges faced by the city since the formation of the multi-party Mayoral Committee, particularly in effectively delivering these essential services.
“Over the past few weeks, we have grappled with how best to fulfil this commitment,” she said, admitting that the City is burdened by an unfunded budget, more than R11 billion in debt, and a backlog of over 23,000 unresolved service delivery requests. This situation has been worsened by vandalism and criminal activities.
“The City is in a state of disrepair, with filthy streets and failing infrastructure, and there is a vast disparity in service quality between affluent areas and townships or informal settlements,” Moya noted.
“This is intertwined with unemployment and inequality, with 34.9% of the City’s over 4 million residents lacking access to work.”
While she recognised the significant long-term challenges ahead, Moya believes meaningful progress can be achieved by the end of January, setting the City on a path to recovery.
She outlined six priorities for her first 100 days in office, which largely reflect initiatives that former mayor Brink Cilliers from the DA attempted but ultimately failed to implement during his 18-month tenure.
Equitable Basic Service Delivery and Clean City Initiatives
Moya addressed the struggles residents faced under the DA’s governance regarding fair service delivery. She pledged to improve lighting in dark areas and expedite responses to water leaks and sewer blockages, targeting a 90% resolution rate within 48 hours, ultimately aiming for a 24-hour response time.
“Our goal is to enhance lighting in long-neglected areas and to accelerate response times for water and sewer issues, which account for the majority of complaints we receive,” she stated.
To maintain clean townships, Moya committed to community engagement through clean-up programmes, with ongoing campaigns in Mamelodi, Atteridgeville, and the CBD. She will launch the "Re A Spana" initiative in Sunnyside on November 1, aimed at transforming streets and inviting residents, businesses, and NGOs to participate across all regions.
Infrastructure Development Focused on Energy, Water, and Roads
Moya underscored the need for reliable services, acknowledging residents’ concerns over outages. Despite budget constraints, she plans to enhance project management for suspended infrastructure projects.
Key initiatives include upgrading wastewater treatment facilities, refurbishing sewer pipelines, and installing new lights. Her objective is to fully utilise the capital budget by year-end while collaborating with the Deputy Mayor and the Gauteng Provincial Government to meet established targets.
By-law Enforcement and Inner-City Rejuvenation
Moya stated that law and order are paramount for Tshwane, announcing plans to intensify by-law enforcement over the next 100 days for public safety and health. This will include heightened inspections of spaza shops and compliance checks for liquor licences, street vendors, and public amenities. Her long-term vision includes building a professional metro police unit to enhance safety and security throughout the city.
Community Engagement and Government Accessibility
Recognising the need for better communication with residents, particularly about service delivery, Moya’s plans involve addressing water and electricity issues, launching community meetings, and fostering social cohesion. She expressed gratitude for the support of her team and partners in this collective endeavour.
Economic Revitalisation
Moya laid out plans to stimulate Tshwane’s economy by supporting established businesses, SMMEs, and informal traders through initiatives like the Marabastad Informal Trading Stalls Project.
Plans include enhancing business support centres, establishing City Improvement Districts, and creating 2,500 jobs through the Public Employment Programme. Long-term goals will focus on reducing bureaucratic hurdles for investors and revitalising underutilised properties for mixed-use developments.
Financial Stability
Emphasising the necessity of a funded budget to enhance services, Moya presented a financial recovery plan that includes boosting revenue collection, minimising water and electricity losses, managing expenditures, and addressing Eskom debt while ensuring responsible use of public funds.
As the Mayor embarks on this ambitious agenda, residents will be watching closely to see if these commitments translate into tangible improvements for Tshwane.
IOL