MSUNDUZI MUNICIPALITY’S NEW CITY MANAGER LULAMILE MAPHOLOBA IS GEARED AND COMMITTED TO TAKING THE CITY TO NEW HEIGHT –EVEN A METRO

Lulamile Mapholoba, the new Manager of Msunduzi City, has hit the deck running and knows what needs to be done to take the City to the next level. He even believes that the City will achieve Metro status at the next round of engagements with the Municipal Demarcation Board. Is he gung-ho or just arrogant?

“No,” says Lulamile Mapholoba. “The critical elements for taking the city to the next level are in place. There is great commitment from the political leadership to see the city improving – not goat-heard consensus; but agreement on a way forward amid the robust political debate. I therefore have their backing. There are numerous sources of revenue for the City and they can bring in enough to fund the city’s strategy. Finally the dwellers of the city want to see positive change and better services and are committed to paying for it.”

Mapholoba has achieved clean audits and numerous accolades in various municipalities that he has worked in. At the previous workplaces he managed to stabilize the municipalities and turned them around from the challenges that included poor financial management, maladministration, poor staff morale, poor service delivery, poor stakeholder management and those municipalities achieved clean audits. He adds: “From my side I bring a wealth of experience in local government management, particularly in this province. Over 20 years in the sector. And I have the management and academic training to understand and implement the latest relevant trends in this arena”

It will be no easy task because he took over a municipality that is under administration. But he is not phased as she continues;

“The municipal wheels came off at a particular point, warranting the intervention of provincial and national government. That is the situation that we are going to turn around and ensure that the municipality is able to focus on its core activities as is contained in the constitution and various laws of the republic. We can no longer postpone change, the residents deserve to see it now.”

The view that he is ‘the man for the job’ was confirmed by Mayor of Msunduzi Municipality, Honourable Councillor Mzimkhulu Thebolla who when announcing the appointment of the new city manager called him a local government guru with over 20 years experience in local government. Councillor Thebolla said; “We believe this is a milestone that will turn Msunduzi around, a milestone that will not only restore the dignity of Msunduzi Municipality but will restore the dignity of the residents of the city.”

“He is expected to help the leadership in bringing confidence to all our stakeholders firstly by getting the municipality out of Section 139 (1) (b) intervention (administration) and by assisting in addressing challenges that include aging infrastructure, the challenges of revenue collection and help the municipality to be financially viable,” Councillor Thebolla added.

Mapholoba believes his formula for success in turning municipalities around is based on effective stakeholder engagement. Stakeholders were not just the political parties and municipal employees, but key were the residents of the city. He promised to engage with residents listen to their issues, provide solutions and ensure that things are done. He stresses that there was no time to waste while there are urgent issues to be dealt with. Residents must get service delivery for the money that they pay to the municipality. These include cleanliness, water, electricity and ensuring that the institution is run in terms of principles of clean governance. We regret what happened in the past that caused intervention. This municipality is not supposed to be in intervention. Msunduzi should be that municipality that is able to assist other municipalities in the district.

The City Manager committed to base his work on Msunduzi’s Vision 2040, a Six-Point-based plan that’s goals will ensure that "By 2040, Msunduzi will be a safe, vibrant, sustainable and smart Metropolis."

The six goals are:

1. Governance and Policy – that is effective and benefits the city

2. Developed and Maintained Infrastructure

3. Human and Community Development – ensuring safer, healthier and better livelihoods for citizens

4. Financial Viability

5. Economic Growth and Development

6. Spatial Equity and Human Settlements – better land use and housing

These goals, however, will only be achievable if they are underpinned by the values of transparency, Ubuntu, sustainability and results-oriented teamwork by the municipality employees and its political leadership.

The key determinant to the municipality coming out of administration will be its ability to meet is financial commitments and obligations. This can be done when funds are available which means more efficient revenue collection and management. The first area of business for the city manager has been to focus on revenue collection.

“We cannot call for citizens to pay for water when its supply is intermittent and the water is not clean. Garbage is collected in some areas and not all and sewage runs in the street. Revenue collection and effective financial management goes hand-in-hand,” Mapholoba adds. He added that the infrastructure in the city was old and needed replacement, but there was a need to start with what can be fixed then move to the more costly replacement. Mapholoba said:” A mere call for citizens to pay for services got an overwhelming response from residents who came forward to pay. Without any enforcements or threats. The city’s residents are ready to move forward – they just need a better service. And that is what I am committing to do.”

These views are confirmed by some of the stakeholders who said:” this city has had to suffer the consequences of the mismanagement of Msunduzi’s resources for far too long now, and we are all out of tolerance. We need and deserve a strong, ethical and competent manager with clear strategic direction.”

“Let us give him a chance with no political interference,” others say.

Mapholoba quips:” I am grateful to have been well received by the Council and all political parties who wanted to see change. In the past, one of the things that was lacking was political will.

The current political leadership in the municipality would like to leave a lasting legacy, they want to be remembered as the people who made a change. I am happy that they are allowing me to play my role.”

“The City of Msunduzi is in great hands. I have never managed a municipality that fails,” concludes City Manager Lulamile Mapholoba. 

CONTACT DETAILS:

Tel:

Reception - 033 392 3000

Call Centre - 080 000 1868

Email: call.centre@msunduzi.gov.za

Web: www.msunduzi.gov.za