Municipal Focus Volume 65

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PUBLISHER'S NOTE

In this edition of Municipal Focus, we lead with a story on local government progress! The City of Polokwane, together with Leeto la Polokwane, is pulling out all the stops when it comes to integrating the City’s transport system and making convenient, reliable, cashless transport possible for all its citizens.

This is but one of the many ways that the City is gearing itself towards becoming a metro, and a continuation of its improvements and well-planned innovative ideas, aligned with the City’s 2030 - Smart City Vision.

In the forefront of the global revolution and advancements in mobility is the CSIR, with local cutting-edge technologies that pave the way for a new era of interconnected, sustainable, and efficient transportation systems.

A sure way for SA to adopt a global standard for smart mobility!

As SA struggles with youth unemployment, Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) showcases their commitment to alleviating the triple threat of poverty, inequality and unemployment by driving economic inclusion for young people in SA. The CCBSA story highlights their dynamic approach to being part of the solution by tackling youth education, employment and entrepreneurship challenges.

In Celebration of TVET Month we looked at four (4) TVET Colleges in the provinces of Eastern Cape, North West, Free State, and Limpopo. Each college services the needs of some of our most disadvantaged and marginalised youth. When speaking with the Acting Principal of Ikhala TVET College about

the college’s role, he says he sees it as an educational remedy to educational ailments for the youth in their catchment areas. We covered some of the colleges’ remarkable stories of success.

Our municipalities are in a critical state. With July marking the beginning of the local government financial year, we hope that are leaders heed the Auditor-General’s call for service delivery improvements, the responsible use of the limited funds available, accountability, and ethical behaviour that will garner the trust from citizens. The latest 2021-2022 audit results are unpacked on page 16, together with the AG’s recommendations and call to action.

August celebrates Women’s Month, and we would like to acknowledge and honour South African women from all walks of life for their contributions to our communities and society at large. Let us work together to build a more inclusive, just, and prosperous South Africa for all.

“To those who oppose us, we say, “Strike a woman, and you strike a rock.” – Winnie

Madikizela Mandela

Enjoy the read and keep safe!

Nardine Nelson Publisher & CEO Kweda Media & Communications

Executive Mayor of Polokwane, Cllr. Makoro John Mpe

President Cyril Ramaphosa officiated the Pass Out Parade

Together, we can build a capable, ethical & developmental South Africa.

• Service delivery

• Reputation & credibility

• Ethical practices

• Audit outcomes

• Risk identification & mitigation

• Management

• A robust ethical approach

• Stronger stakeholder relationships

• Efficient & economic ways of working

• A competitive edge

• Full control through performance measurement

Ensure Decrease

• Accountability

• Employees are highly skilled & competent professionals through up-skilling

• Costs

• Wastage

• Complexity

Assisting Local Government and Municipalities to strengthen their Procurement & Supply Chains and help deliver better services to communities. Now is the time.

The establishment of Leeto la Polokwane is not a mere coincidence but a deliberate endeavour to create a transportation system that is customer-oriented and of the highest quality,” - City of Polokwane Mayor, John Mpe

LEETO LA POLOKWANE BUS SYSTEM GOES NATIONAL AS ITS NEW DIGITAL CARD SYSTEM GOES LIVE!

The new card system for passengers to use on the Leeto la Polokwane Public Transport System, which we are activating today will also be usable in all other Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems operational in cities across the country. ” Executive Mayor of Polokwane Councillor John Mpe said.

This was on the occasion of the Leeto la Polokwane Travel Card System going “Live!”. The card implies that passengers would no longer use paper tickets or cash on the bus but would use a pre-loaded travel card that does not expire. Leeto la Polokwane is the City of Polokwane’s Integrated Public Transport System (IPTS). It aims to provide a high-quality transport service for passengers in line with the National Transport Act and its Integrated Public Transport Strategy.

The system offers passengers a scheduled transport service with intervals of 30 minutes, making it easy to access important amenities and destinations.

“Bus Rapid Transit systems are by nature cashless and aligned to the use of Automated Fare Collection (AFC) systems. These are regulated by the National Department of Transport (NDoT) as part of the grant requirements for all operating cities to adhere. This implies that when all the national systems are compliant, Leeto la Polokwane users will be able to use the same card on the Rea Vaya buses in Johannesburg; A Re Yeng buses in Pretoria; MiCity in Cape Town, and the Gautrain hi-speed train in Gauteng,” Councillor Mpe explained.

“This notion resonates with the South African Road Federation and echoes the deep-rooted sentiments that have stimulated the development of integrated public transportation systems across our country.” He concluded.

The system uses low-riding reliable rolling stock that is easily accessible even to those with special needs and includes deployable boarding bridges to allow passengers on wheelchairs and mothers with baby strollers to enter and exit the buses safely. The other features are raised tactile (textured) paving, beeping alarms, and voice announcements that guide people with visual impairment challenges.

No paper. No cash on the bus – just tap

The Leeto la Polokwane Travel Cards replaced paper tickets that was used as a fare payment method since October 2021. The paper tickets were an interim payment method while the Municipality was finalising the Automated Fare Collection (AFC) payment method. The Account-Based Ticketing Automated Fare Collection system is implemented in partnership with the National Department of Transport (NDoT) and the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) which serves as a transaction clearing house for all BRT operating cities.

When a passenger boards the bus, they will simply tap their Leeto Travel Card on the card validator and view their remaining balance instantly.

The card balance can also be viewed at the Leeto registration centres and the upcoming Leeto mobile application (App). The passenger should load their travel card before it reaches a zero balance, as funds may take time to reflect after reloading.

Safety, SecurityConvenience

The cashless card system will reduce fare evasion and ensure passengers' and employees' safety and security. With effect from 1 July 2023, cash is no longer accepted on board. The passenger can preload sufficient money in advance, allowing them to use the same card for as long as they have it, as it does not expire.

The card allows the commuter to enjoy seamless benefits such as:

• A personalized travel card that can be used on other public transport systems that are ABT compliant;

• Option to top-up the card on the bus using a bank card;

• Ability to check the balance on the bus validator;

• Blocking a lost or stolen card and still retaining the unused balance;

• Loyalty and rewards program benefits >

Holding the Leeto Travel Card, the Executive Mayor of Polokwane Cllr. Makoro John Mpe and the Board Chairman of Meropa, Mr John Mogodi

All Leeto Travel Cards have a unique Pin and a Primary Account Number (Pan). Pin and Pan are unique numbers displayed at the back and front of the card. The card Pin is displayed in 4 digits at the back of the card, while the Pan number in 16 digits on the front. Once customers have registered for their Leeto Travel Card, storing the card's Pin and Pan number is essential. This information will be necessary if the card is lost or damaged and needs to be reported at the Leeto office. The Pin and Pan will be used to register the new Leeto Travel Card. Customers will not need an ID or passport if they provide their Pin and Pan to report lost or damaged cards.

At registration of a new card, the commuter should bring a valid;

• RSA Identity Document (ID) or;

• Birth Certificate or;

• Passport

A R45 card purchase fee will be required. Commuters should expect a call from the SANRAL call centre to assist with the card registration.

Uplifting the community –supporting development

Councillor Mpe expounded: “Public transportation is significant to a growing and thriving economy and plays a crucial role in the community. It is the lifeline that provides gateway access to places of education, health, employment, recreation, entertainment, and other essential services.”

“As Polokwane gears towards becoming a metropolitan city, we are committed to continuous improvement and innovation to ensure a well-planned and operational transportation system that improves the overall travel experience in Polokwane whilst improving the

livelihood of our communities,” he added.

The mayor explained that the municipality committed to providing a bus service that is a high-quality public transport service that is scheduled, reliable, safe, affordable and accessible.

It is against this background that Polokwane Municipality introduced the Leeto la Polokwane bus service, in line with the city’s 2030 smart city vision.

The system is currently servicing the Seshego, the inner city, Nirvana and Florapark communities. Although the bus operations started slowlyin terms of ridership, the situation quickly changed eight months into the operations after implementing the new council-approved turnaround strategy. During the first few months of operation back in October 2022, it ferried on average 3 148 passengers.

Leeto la Polokwane now transports an average of 66 450 passengers per month.

“During the recent IDP sessions conducted in April, community members across other clusters of the municipality indicated their desire for the bus service around their areas. As a municipality that is attentive to the needs and preferences of its residents, we have heard the plea and our focus in the next financial year will be the planning of extending the Leeto la Polokwane bus service to cater to other clusters and wards of the municipality in the near future,” said the executive mayor.

Councillor Mpe added that over the centuries, the advancement of every community was founded upon the availability of affordable and efficient means of transportation for both people and goods. It was a fundamental aspect of societal

progress. We all know that for transportation to truly function effectively, it requires adequate infrastructure development.

“The establishment of Leeto la Polokwane has brought about a valuable partnership in the city’s public transportation landscape, which involves the three affected taxi associations. The collaboration between the Municipality and the taxi industry has paved the way for the efficient operation of public transportation services and has improved the lives of many people,” he added.

“The system impacted particularly those previously employed in the informal taxi industry without job security, as well as community members with disabilities who were unable to use public transportation because it did not cater to their special needs; and the over 500 people who have now been employed through the implementation of this system.

The new card system takes the support of the disadvantaged further as the card will be easily identifiable by all, including passengers with

visual impairments. We are exploring a unique tactile feature – 3 holes inserted in the middle of the card.”

Going digital

Councillor Mpe stated proudly: “We have developed a Leeto la Polokwane Mobile APP that will be available for download on the different app stores from 3 July 2023. The APP is designed to make travel more convenient and improve communication between bus operations and the passengers.

“Our commuters will be able to view the balance and top up cards from the App, they will also be able to view timetables and other important information, the APP has the capability to track the bus, passengers can plan their journey and get real-time information from the Chatbot services and push notifications. We encourage all Leeto la Polokwane passengers with smartphones to download the APP. As a fitting advancement, we are in the process of introducing digital information screens and free Wi-Fi on the buses to further enhance the user experience on the Leeto la Polokwane bus service.”

Addressing infrastructure challenges

The Mayor of Polokwane added: “It would be futile to introduce hi-tech services and new equipment in infrastructure that is old with narrow roads that do not cater for buses. As we move forward to the future, our focus for the coming financial year will be the completion of the following projects, which are at an advanced stage towards completion:

• The widening of Sand River Bridge along Nelson Mandela Drive, which is currently at 85% physical progress;

• Completion of the General Joubert Street Station, which is at 77% physical progress.

“As part of our unwavering efforts to improve the movement of people and goods, we launched a campaign to wage war on potholes on 18 May 2023, aiming to reshape the city's road infrastructure landscape. Our theme, "The Road Ahead Looks Bright," seeks to confirm that we are aware of the road infrastructure backlog, >

The development and enhancement of Leeto la Polokwane have far-reaching outcomes,touching the lives of our citizens and shaping the future by connecting our communities.” –Polokwane Mayor John Mpe

however, we are putting in the work to change and improve the status quo.”

The role of partnerships

The mayor said the municipality had received much support from strategic partners and aims to garner further support and participation from various socio-economic stakeholders to help establish safe, reliable, and affordable transport systems and world-class road infrastructure to create ccessibility in Polokwane Municipality. This will bring the municipality closer to realising its vision of an Integrated Public Transport System, allowing passengers and tourists to have a first-hand experience of the city.

The Municipality launched a 6-month campaign to promote the new card system in partnership with Meropa Casino and Entertainment World and was encouraged by the fact that over 50% of current passengers had already registered for the new cards.

“As part of our medium-term operational plan, the Leeto la Polokwane bus service will expand its operations to cater to

passengers travelling between the CBD and Meropa Casino. To strengthen such a partnership, the casino commits through a sponsorship agreement that will support our activities over the long term and provide dedicated card sales and top-up point for Leeto Travel Cards,” Councillor Mpe explained. “The collaboration promises to deliver economic outputs and opportunities that will expand our service offering within the city.”

Meropa Casino and Entertainment World would run competitions for participants in various strategic parts of Polokwane city during the campaign, with prizes to be won. Additionally, the casino will offer exciting prizes to the value of R100 000.00 to Leeto passengers, as well as provide conferencing facilities for some of the stakeholder engagement sessions in the coming year.

The Mayor explained: “These initiatives mark a notable milestone on one of the objectives of our turnaround strategy to collaborate in more strategic partnerships to improve our Leeto la Polokwane Integrated Public Transport.

We recognise that we cannot achieve our goals alone, as we are an integral part of a community-based ecosystem.”

“Embracing our ethos of a Naturally Progressive city, we are inherently committed to progressive innovation and advancement. It would be remiss of us not to acknowledge the core principles upon which we were founded. Thus, the establishment of Leeto la Polokwane is not a mere coincidence but a deliberate endeavour to create a transportation system that is customer-oriented and of the highest quality,” he added.

“We remain resolute in the idea that, together, we can forge a path towards a more connected, inclusive, and prosperous future. Paramount, the development and enhancement of Leeto la Polokwane have farreaching outcomes, touching the lives of our citizens and shaping the future by connecting our communities.”

Quoting scientist and writer from North Carolina (USA), Erol Ozan, Councillor Mpe concluded: “You cannot understand a city without using its public transportation system." 

Contact Information

TEL: 015 023 0055

068 554 4235 (Whatsapp)

Email: leetolapolokwane@polokwane.gov.za

Web: www.leetolapolokwane.co.za

Address:

New Peter Mokaba Stadium (East Wing),Transport Directorate,Polokwane Limpopo 0700

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THE ROUTE TOWARDS THE HEARTBEAT OF LIMPOPO

The road is open to possibilities as Leeto la Polokwane heads towards Meropa Casino and Entertainment World

After 21 years, Meropa Casino is set to act as the major and key catalyst to make the Leeto la Polokwane a major success for the Polokwane Municipality. This synergistic partnership will see Leeto la Polokwane extend its bus route to Meropa Casino, a move that is set to yield great benefits for the people of Polokwane. Over the years, Meropa Casino has contributed to the province in taxes, CSI initiatives and casino levies to the tune of R1,22 billion and look forward to further collaborations that will drive Polokwane further to its Vision 2030 - Smart City.

An innovation towards Polokwane’s Vision 2030 - Smart City

Leeto la Polokwane, the Polokwane municipality’s initiative to create safe, reliable, accessible, and affordable transport to its people is extending its route to include Meropa Casino and Entertainment World. The route extension will give citizens and tourists easier access to one of Limpopo’s premier destinations whilst easing the daily commute to work for employees. This networked approach towards the expansion of the route will aid the enterprise development initiatives of Meropa Casino and the Polokwane community as a whole.

The Leeto Travel Card Launch

The Leeto la Polokwane project was launched with a paper ticketing system in October 2021 and has recently launched their Travel Card, making the transport system cashless. In order to facilitate the success of this migration, Meropa Casino has committed R100 000 in cash and non-cash prizes as part of the extended promotional and marketing campaign to boost the rollout of the initiative. Meropa Casino is encouraging the use of the Leeto Travel Card by incentivizing existing Leeto customers, MVG loyalty card holders, employees, and patrons attending music shows at Meropa Casino.

Major prizes for Leeto commuters

Meropa Casino will sponsor a holiday to the tune of R10 000 to a lucky Leeto Travel Card winner in December 2023 and the

holiday package is redeemable at Sun City Resort, The Maslow Hotel in Sandton, Time Square Casino in Pretoria or at Meropa Casino.

Purchase Leeto Travel Cards at Meropa Casino

Meropa Casino plans to become an accredited retail partner in order to sell the Leeto la Polokwane Travel Cards at their cash desk with a dedicated Leeto branded booth which will be manned by trained employees.

Collaboration towards a brighter future

Through this collaboration with the Polokwane Municipality, Meropa Casino and Entertainment World, has committed to further ensure the continued success of the Leeto Travel Card campaign into 2024, by utilizing their marketing resources to promote the Leeto Travel Card through onsite activations including at music shows and concerts.

Meropa Casino has also roped in its popular 6 brand ambassadors to anchor the Leeto promotional activities. Selected discounts at Meropa Casino will be offered to qualifying Leeto Travel Card cardholders as a bonus benefit. Meropa Casino will make it easier for their own loyalty cardholders (MVG) to pay for bus fares with their MVG loyalty earned points. To make this operational, Meropa Casino will invest R200 000 in operating equipment that will be fitted in around 26 Leeto buses.

The start to a prosperous journey ...

These endeavours are only the beginning of a synergistic road ahead between the Polokwane Municipality and Meropa Casino. As Leeto la Polokwane opens the door towards affordable, safe transportation for the people of Polokwane, the route to Meropa Casino and Entertainment World will ensure the continued development and growth of this legacy project.

Winner of 300 trips / bus rides

Mr. Sammy Mokhele, General Manager at Meropa Casino

Mr. David Ramakgwakgwa, Acting Director, Transportation Service Directorate, Polokwane Municipality

Cllr Mosema Makoro John Mpe, Executive Mayor of Polokwane Municipality

Winner of 300 trips / bus rides Winner of 300 trips / bus rides Winner of 300 trips / bus rides Winner of 300 trips / bus rides

2021-22 LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUDIT OUTCOMES REPORT

Auditor-General calls for urgent action to address challenges in local government:

Auditor-General (AG) Tsakani Maluleke emphasised that local government faced greater demands than ever before to regain the trust

of the country’s citizens and to provide essential services such as clean water, sanitation, electricity, waste management and wellmaintained roads and infrastructure in a prompt and financially responsible manner, after more than 20 years of a democratic South Africa.

Maluleke said these words at the release of the Auditor General

of South Africa’s 2021-22 Local Government (MFMA) Consolidated Report.

CULTURE OF ACCOUNTABILITY

“Local government leadership must build a culture of accountability that will improve service delivery and living conditions for citizens,” the AG said. “We also call on all South

Africans to be active participants in helping improve accountability and to hold local government accountable”.

She said political and executive leadership should spring into action and build accountability ecosystems with urgency and intensify the support that will help municipalities to build the right controls and institutionalise the disciplines towards accountability and service delivery.

The AG remarked that, “Local government has been characterised by dysfunctional municipalities, financial mismanagement, council and administrative instability, and crumbling municipal infrastructure. This leads to deteriorating standards of living resulting in service delivery protests. I believe that service delivery improvements will be enabled by capable, accountable and citizencentric municipal leadership delivering on their mandates to improve the lives of ordinary South Africans.”

Maluleke expressed particular concern that the state of local government was deteriorating and needed urgent attention. Municipalities were continuously failing to address issues of accountability, integrity, performance and good governance.

SUPPORT FROM OTHER ARMS OF GOVERNMENT

“There was also a strong showing of support to municipalities by provincial government, including the premiers and the members of the executive councils responsible for local government and finance, which gives me hope for a better future,” she said. “With the leaders in place and the tone being set for significant improvements and increased clean audits in local government, my call is for urgent action.”

Maluleke also noted that significant progress was made with the collaboration and support from the leadership of provincial Cooperative governance departments (Cogta) and the Treasury.

“The support we have seen from provincial CoGTA and treasuries is what we as the national audit office have been calling for – for all stakeholders to be part of the solution in addressing challenges in local government. I commend the efforts of the provincial leadership for taking ownership, and for the support they have provided to municipalities. My plea is that this support be sustained, as it has shown to have the desired impact if we are to realise any improvement,” she added.

“Thus, while there were fewer clean audits, there were also fewer municipalities that received disclaimed audit opinions, with nine municipalities improving from a disclaimed outcome. If the municipalities with outstanding audits also receive disclaimed audit opinions, the improvement in this area will be less significant, but the movement of the nine municipalities should still be acknowledged,”

If a municipality receives an adverse audit opinion, this means that it submitted financial statements that are so unreliable that they cannot be used for oversight and decision-making. About six municipalities received adverse audit opinions in 2021-22.

“There is little transparency and accountability on how these municipalities use their funds,” Maluleke continued.

“As is the case with municipalities that receive disclaimed audit opinions, national and provincial leadership and coordinating

institutions should continue to offer support and, where necessary, intervene.”

However, Maluleke said she was pleased that her message on the need to eradicate disclaimed audit opinions had been taken seriously and was heeded by some municipal and provincial leadership.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SUBMISSION IMPROVEMENT

The AG also appreciated that municipalities heeded her call for financial statements to be submitted by the legislated date, improving from 81% in the previous year to 91%. This, she said, “was largely due to the provincial government’s concerted efforts to support municipalities as well as the impact of our enforcement mandate”.

“Where financial statements remained outstanding, we continued to reach out to all key role-players in the accountability ecosystem to intervene and we again used our enforcement mandate (as we did in 2020-21) for the non-submission of the 2021-22 financial statements at 15 municipalities. In response, we received the financial statements of 12 of these municipalities.”

The AG lamented that her office should not be required to use its enhanced powers for the nonsubmission of financial statements, as this is one of the basic disciplines of accountability that each municipality must practice.

MATERIAL IRREGULARITIES

The material irregularity (MI) process is continuing to have an impact on the AG holding auditees to account where accountability has failed. In the fourth year of implementation, her office has been very responsive, >

expanding its work significantly by implementing the MI process at 170 auditees – up from 94 last year.

According to the AG, the plan is to increase this number to 276 auditees next year.

“We have continued to see greater responsiveness from accounting officers to our MI process, and we noted that no action was being taken on 87% of irregularities until we issued MIs. The MIs we issued jolted them to desired action to address the irregularities and transgressions we raised,” the AG explained.

Through the MI process, accounting officers have taken action to prevent or recover financial losses of R479,56 million. Of this, R150,55 million in financial loss has been recovered, R18,85 million has been prevented from being incurred, and R310,16 million is in the process of being recovered.

THE POOR STATE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The AG warned that the state of local government was deteriorating and required urgent attention from authorities at the local and provincial levels. Municipalities must move swiftly to fill vacancies in key positions with capable and qualified officials and to provide them with the necessary support to do their work and hold them accountable.

“Our previous general report showed that the local government audit outcomes were in a poor state when the previous administration took over in 2016-17 and did not improve over its term. The administration was characterised by accountability and service delivery failures, poor governance, weak institutional

capacity and instability. The behaviour and conduct of leaders and officials led to a local government culture that was largely devoid of performance, accountability, transparency and integrity,” she remarked.

“The report provided insights on deteriorating financial health, ineffective financial reporting practices, procurement and payment transgressions, inefficient use of information technology systems, and a lack of consequences for wrongdoing. We also shared our observations on the status and impact of the material irregularity process. In addition, we showed how poor planning and reporting on basic services, failing municipal infrastructure and municipalities with disclaimed audit opinions negatively affected service delivery.”

The AG exclaimed: “We reminded the newly elected political leaders about the renewed hope that communities

had that they would address the pressing need for services, economic opportunities, and a safe and healthy living environment. Courageous, ethical, accountable, capable and citizen-centric leadership was needed.

We called on all role players in the accountability ecosystem (particularly the coordinating institutions made up of national and provincial cooperative governance departments and treasuries) to step in to support failing municipalities and focus specifically on improving service delivery, eradicating disclaimed audit opinions, effectively dealing with material irregularities, and stabilising and empowering the administration.”

GLIMMER OF HOPE

The new administration was in power for only part of the 2021-22 financial year and instability resulting from the change in leadership was apparent –as had also been the case in the past

when administrations changed. The new administration thus has had little impact on the audit outcomes and the state of local government.

“Overall, there has been little change, but in this report we highlight the pockets of improvement and the actions government has initiated to drive change as a message of hope for better outcomes and impact on the lived realities of all South Africans.

We still urge elected representatives to intensify their actions towards instilling a culture of performance, transparency and integrity and to be accountable to the communities they serve.”

Her report reflects on the audit outcomes of the first year of the current administration.

For the year under review, municipalities had an estimated expenditure budget of R487,12 billion to operate and deliver services.

CLEAN AUDITS

Maluleke expressed concern that the number of clean audits decreased, mainly due to the instability that occurred with the transition to the new administration. She also expressed concern that internal performance disciplines are not institutionalised – when a political transition occurs, the administrative functions must continue to fulfil their duties.

Municipalities with a clean audit status managed 29% of the expenditure budget of local governments. Two metros fall into this category, namely City of Ekurhuleni (Gauteng) and City of Cape Town (Western Cape). The total number of municipalities with clean audit opinions decreased slightly, as more municipalities lost their clean audit status than improved to clean audit status. The Western Cape continued to lead with the highest

number of municipalities with clean audit opinions.

ROOT CAUSES OF CHALLENGES IDENTIFIED

Local government is plagued by a number of challenges, but some of the root causes require urgent attention to realise wholesale good governance. These include:

Inadequate skills and capacity: Limited skills and capacity in finance, information technology and technical units (which are responsible for infrastructure projects) led to municipalities relying heavily on consultants. Vacancies and instability in key positions such as those of municipal manager and chief financial officer contributed to the limited improvement in audit outcomes and to delays in dealing with MIs and other transgressions.

Governance failures: A lack of institutionalised financial and performance management controls continued to leave municipalities ill-prepared to operate optimally during times of change and instability. Instability and disruption in councils, along with ineffective municipal public accounts committees and disciplinary boards, continued to limit the effectiveness of governance processes. Audit committees and internal audit units did not have the required impact, mostly because their recommendations were not implemented. The interventions and support initiatives provided by some of the coordinating institutions, and the reporting by the members of the executive council for local government to provincial legislatures, also had limited impact. >

Lack of accountability and consequences management:

Equally important as appointing skilled officials is the need to ensure that they are disciplined and held accountable for their performance to create a culture that values excellence and supports continuous improvement. Limited, or even no, action was taken against municipal officials and leadership for wrongdoing and poor performance.

SERVICE DELIVERY

The AG expressed concern that the government continues to neglect service delivery to the detriment of institutions. She made a call for leaders to closely monitor municipalities’ performance against their stated targets and to ensure that these targets are measurable and will have the desired impact on service delivery.

“We continued to see municipalities that do not adequately plan for delivering key basic services and do not report credibly on that delivery, with many also not achieving their planned targets. In addition, accountability is hampered as there is little transparency on the true state of local government’s delivery of key basic services such as water, sanitation, electricity and housing,” she explained.

INFRASTRUCTURE FAILURE HAMPERING SERVICE DELIVERY

“Municipalities continue to neglect municipal infrastructure because of their reactive approach to planning and maintenance,” she explained.

“They do not ensure that infrastructure projects (mostly funded by grants) are delivered on time, within budget and at the right

quality; and they do not maintain existing infrastructure either.”

The focus should be on critical infrastructure such as water, wastewater treatment, electricity, housing, public transport and roads, as failure to deliver on the promised new infrastructure in these areas directly affects the public and deprives them of the basic services they are entitled to receive.

Maluleke said that despite this, her office has seen little change and continues to identify the same issues every year.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF INFRASTRUCTURE NEGLECT ON SERVICE DELIVERY

The AG reported that her office raised audit findings on wastewater treatment plants in most of the municipalities where it audited, including two municipalities with disclaimed audit opinions.

The audits also confirmed that neglected municipal infrastructure and ineffective environmental management led to polluted water sources, including underground water, and revealed an unacceptable state of the management of wastewater treatment plants.

FINANCIAL PLANNING AND REPORTING

Poor financial planning

The AG reported that municipalities were spending funds they had not budgeted for, which results in unauthorised expenditure.

In 2021-22, 68% of municipalities incurred a combined R25,47 billion in unauthorised expenditure, with R13,03 billion being for non-cash items. This means that municipalities

spent money that the council had not provided for in the approved budget, or that the spending did not meet the conditions of a particular grant.

Maluleke said that when municipalities adopt unfunded budgets or overspend their budgets, this shows that they are unable to budget properly and stay within that budget. These practices not only pose an imminent threat to the sustainability of municipalities, but also perpetuate the spiral of non-delivery. Often, the mayor and municipal manager submit a budget for spending that cannot be funded, and, in such cases, the council must ensure financial discipline by carefully reviewing and assessing the proposed budget to determine whether it is financially viable and sustainable.

Inadequate financial controls and unreliable reporting

“Despite the resources and support municipalities had available to enable sound financial management and reporting, their processes and controls were not adequate to prevent material misstatements in the financial statements,” the AG reported.

If the audit office had not allowed municipalities to correct the identified material misstatements, only a quarter would have produced financial statements that were reliable enough for the council and other decision-makers to use. In total, 84 municipalities (35%) relied on the audit process to identify misstatements that they then corrected to obtain an unqualified audit opinion.

Ineffective use of consultants for financial reporting

In 2021-22, 220 municipalities spent R1,61 billion on consultants to help with financial reporting –an increase by almost a fifth from R1,36 billion in 2020-21. More than half of these municipalities (53%) used financial reporting consultants to provide skills that their finance units did not have.

Overall, 40% hired consultants for specific skills and to bridge a vacancy gap, while 7% used consultants purely to compensate for vacancies.

Consultants were mostly used for asset management services (34%), tax services (29%), and the preparation or review of financial statements (26%).

Financial position of municipalities

“When we analysed the financial statements of the 217 municipalities with audit opinions other than disclaimed or adverse, we found 56% of them to have indicators of financial strain. If not attended to, this can result in significant doubt about their ability to continue operating. By year-end, just over half of all municipalities (52%) owed their creditors more money than they had available in the bank as they continued to spend money they did not have. The total deficit in local government for the year amounted to R11,87 billion, while 79 municipalities (36%) had spent more money than they had generated.

“As a result, municipalities were using their budget for the next year to cover their spending in the current year. This cycle is likely to continue unless municipalities reduce their spending and generate additional revenue, which is highly doubtful given the prevailing economic conditions and overall economic outlook,” Maluleke warned.

What should be done?

Service delivery improvements and the responsible use of the limited funds available will only be enabled when municipalities are capable, cooperative, accountable and responsive, and when they deliver on their mandates. Municipal leadership, councils and mayors in particular, play a critical role in setting the tone for ethical behaviour, good governance and accountability; and in creating a culture that fosters trust and confidence in local government.

“It will not happen on its own; A culture of accountability will improve service delivery!” AG Maluleke concluded. 

ALTRON SYSTEMS INTEGRATION APPOINTS HLUBI MADIKIZA AS PUBLIC SECTOR SALES EXECUTIVE

Altron Systems Integration, a specialist provider that leverages world-class technology and leading practices to architect, implement and support sustainable ICT-based

business solutions, has announced the appointment of Hlubi Madikiza as Digital Transformation Sales Executive for Public Sector. The hire comes as the company looks to expand its presence in the local public sector

and achieve its growth ambitions.

“We are delighted to introduce Hlubi Madikiza as our new Digital Transformation Sales Executive for Public Sector. Hlubi will be partnering

closely with the Public Sector sellers and leaders across the Altron digital transformation businesses and will be working on, and implementing, a One Altron Public Sector plan that will lay the foundation for growth in this strategic market,” says James Hickman, Sales Director: Digital Transformation at Altron.

Madikiza has been in the ICT industry for over 15 years, holding a variety of roles in account management, sales management and sales leadershipand receiving numerous accolades for his work. This includes six years' experience in senior management, leading sales teams in both the private and public sector. He has a B.Com Finance degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and completed a Management Development Programme (MDP) from Stellenbosch Business School.

He is a customer-centric sales leader with a thorough understanding of the South African ICT landscape and strong industry relationships with business decision makers and technology vendors alike. Madikiza truly believes that technology provides the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of customers, and in the case of the public sector, this extends to making a difference in the lives of ordinary South Africans.

“I'm joining a very dynamic and strong leadership core and this attracted me. I believe in the company's vision of the role that it can play in the South African ICT industry. The breadth of the company's client base and extensive OEM relationships mean it is wellpositioned for growth and to be a change agent in the industry - and country by enabling the government to digitise its systems, operate its IT infrastructure more efficiently, lower costs, and innovate around service delivery,” says Madikiza.

As such, a major focus area for Madikiza going forward will be around driving collaboration between the different entities within the Altron group, and in ensuring

that Altron brings the full value of the group to its customers, while also driving end-to-end technology solutions that take customers' businesses forward.

"Altron is an iconic and leading South African technology company and I am energised by the opportunity to be able to bring a wide array of solutions that can support the government in achieving its objectives to the fore. We can realise value for our shareholders and employees while also meaningfully transforming our customers' organisations",” says Madikiza.

Hlubi has a B.Com Finance degree from the University of KwaZuluNatal and completed a Management Development Programme (MDP) from Stellenbosch Business School . He has worked at major South African technology brands such as Dimension Data and MTN, while his most recent position prior to joining Altron was as Senior Sales Manager for Public and Private Enterprises at Nexio.

“Hlubi is a client and peoplecentric sales leader who believes in the power of collaboration and innovation to make a positive difference in our clients' lives. We are excited to have him on board and look forward to his contributions in driving our business growth,” concludes Hickman. 

CONTACT DETAILS

Website: www.altronsystemsintegration.co.za

Email: info-altronsi@altron.com

Contact number: 011 205 7000

Hlubi Madikiza - Digital Transformation Sales Executive

CCBSA’S COMMITMENT

TO DRIVING ECONOMIC INCLUSION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN SOUTH AFRICA

As South Africa celebrated Youth Month in June, the country continues to face the triple challenge of poverty, inequality and unemployment, where over 51% of vulnerable youth are unemployed in a stagnant economy.

With South Africa’s total unemployment rate showing no signs of improvement in the short-term, coming in at 32,9% for Q1 of 2023, according to Stats SA, poverty is a daily reality for many and exacerbates the inequality we see all around us.

According to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey, the youth unemployment rate for different age cohorts are:

• age 15-24 - 62.1%

• age 25-34 - 40.7%

• age 35-44 - 27.9%

In struggling economic conditions such as we are experiencing currently, we need a focused approach to tackle some of the challenges we face as a country.

Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) believes that the solution lies in the economic inclusion of youth; which starts with education.

In this way, CCBSA has adopted the pillars of education, employability and entrepreneurship as a framework for its economic inclusion strategy. The framework intends to embed economic inclusion across its value chain and makes it part of how to do business the right way, by creating gainful economic opportunities for underserved communities and enabling access to markets that boost income and yield sustainable earnings in business.

CCBSA has been on a long-standing journey to address the plight of unemployed youth, particularly in the communities it serves and operates in through education initiatives, helping young people gain the skills to become more employable, and creating opportunities through entrepreneurship programmes.

CCBSA aims to boost income, provide sustainable earning potential and improve skills and business knowledge for youth, so that they

may access future opportunities, including the possibility to link to the Coca-Cola value chain today and in the future.

Education

Education is a critical tool in eradicating poverty and promoting sustained, inclusive, and equitable economic growth for sustainable development.

At CCBSA, we recognise that education is central to the development and improvement of the lives of young people in South Africa. Supporting the educational aspirations of our young people is one way in which we believe we can help turn the tide and create a better future for all in South Africa.

CCBSA launched the Study Buddy Fund in 2021 to assist young people across communities in which CCBSA has operations, to access tertiary education. The Fund pays for full tuition, accommodation fees, as well as textbooks as part of an holistic approach to supporting young students.

To date, CCBSA have invested over R8 million to support deserving students. This is one of our initiatives and one I am tremendously proud of.

The Study Buddy programme also includes support groups, career advice and study hacks to give bursary recipients “every opportunity at a successful academic career”.

Phatani Ramapundu (23) shared her story after being awarded a Study Buddy Bursary recipient, saying that she had always dreamed of furthering her studies and even as a child, she knew she was destined for greatness. >

“When I got the call that I will funded by the CCBSA, I was very excited I felt like I could touch the sky, deep down I somehow felt like it was the beginning of something greater not forgetting how it brought back my confidence. I felt like this a step closer to become the greatness I and my family had always believed in.”

The Study Buddy Fund comprises four programme pillars:

1.Host Community Bursary Programme

The Bursary Program provides scholarship support to indigent academically strong students who meet entry requirements for access to universities. This financial support covers registration, tuition, accommodation, meal allowances and textbooks.

2.University Partnerships

This provides funding to students already at university but who do not have bursaries and/or NFSAS funding and are often regarded as the “missing middle”. Of the more than 80 students we have supported to date, half were young women.

3.TVET College Support

This targets young people in CCBSA host communities who did not meet university entrance requirements. Instead, the scholarship support focuses on technical skills development, specifically geared towards the CCBSA value chain ie. electrical or mechanical engineering.

4.Ligbron

This is E-Learning Using Technology to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics and science and CCBSA has supported over 6,000 students to date.

We believe in developing young people into the capable leaders of tomorrow. Be that in communities, society, business or any other arena of life. We are determined to invest in them through holistic support programmes that offers a plethora of tools, including life skills, to assist the student to reach their full potential.

This is part of who we are as an organisation. We believe that companies which grow their businesses the right

way and are invested in and support the communities in which they operate, creating inclusive and sustainable growth opportunities, will help shape a better-shared future for all – including the business itself.

Employability

At CCBSA, we have a number of initiatives which are aimed at helping job seekers find meaningful and sustainable employment.

Much of this is centred around skills development, including up-skilling or re-skilling, in order to enhance job prospects and increase earning potential.

Our focus on youth empowerment is to also assist with skills development, particularly for graduates who may require additional training in soft skills that would make them more employable or which would aid their own entrepreneurial efforts.

The success of these programmes is defined by the extent to which we boost income, unlock sustainable earning potential, improve skills, and business knowledge, resulting in access to economic opportunities.

Whether donating money, our time, or our expertise, we take our responsibility to the communities we call home seriously.

Entrepreneurship

The small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) sector is a vital engine of growth in South Africa, particularly as we still claw back many of the losses due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But starting and then sustaining a small enterprise is not a simple task. Around 70% of SMMEs fail within the first two years, with many entrepreneurs citing lack of funding, proper business skills, as well as access to markets as among the major impediments.

We launched our Bizniz in a Box (BiB) initiative in 2016 with a view to creating a platform to support emerging and small businesses, particularly those run by youth and women, and especially in informal and rural areas.

Bizniz in a Box aims to create an ecosystem of viable micro-businesses offering complementary products and services in a community, using a spaza shop as the anchor. Each business operates out of a customdesigned container. These businesses

would help cover various needs of the local community, including a business centre/internet café, a car wash, a fast-food shop or a mini baker.

For the last seven years, CCBSA’s BiB has contributed meaningfully towards reducing youth unemployment by partnering with national and provincial government, local municipalities and development finance institutions. These partnerships have enabled entrepreneurs to develop businesses, improve their skills, access capital, manage supply chains, and provide jobs to others.

The BiB initiative has supported over 700 entrepreneurs across several provinces, including Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. We have provided 758 containers - including 400 for young entrepreneurs - and spent

more than R120 million on BiB-related activities

Being part of the solution

At CCBSA, we have invested in multiple skills development and entrepreneurship, as well as supplier development incubation programmes, as part of building greater economic inclusion, particularly for those most marginalised in our society.

There is a need for all stakeholders to collaborate and co-create solutions that will bring hope to young people, be it providing access to education or helping them build businesses. CCBSA partners with a number of key stakeholders, from national and provincial government, local municipalities; development finance institutions such as the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) and commercial banking institutions, to roll out BiB programmes across South Africa.

Our strategic framework seeks to embed economic inclusion across our entire value chain and make it part of how we do business the right way. Investing in communities and in the future of our people and our country will ensure the sustainability and success of our business. 

Contact Details: CCBSA

Tel: 011 848 2600

E-mail: media@ccbagroup.com

Website : www.ccbsaco.com

PARTNERSHIPS THAT WORK FOR BUILDING YOUTH CAPACITY

Mr Ephraim Mmekoa, Director Cadet and Youth Development, National School of Government

The last few months have been the most hectic but equally exciting for the National School of Government (NSG), Cadet and Foundation Management team, that saw fruitful partnerships in delivering training to young people from across various parts of the country.

The inception of the partnerships was with delivery of the Personal Mastery Course to 300 young people participating in The Young Patriots Programme (TYPP). This was a programme of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC) which is implemented through the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). The young people participating in the programme were deployed to work with local authorities and schools to, among others, promote social cohesion, teach other young people about national symbols, and facilitate community development. Some of participants also harboured ambitions to explore entrepreneurship to create jobs for themselves. Therefore, the Personal Mastery Course was the appropriate intervention to offer this group in particular.

TYPP has since been replaced with a new programme called the Young

Creatives, which was introduced by the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr Zizi Kodwa, and launched on 6 July 2023 with an intake of 270 young people from across all 9 provinces.

Young people participating in the programme are expected to give back at Community Art Centres where they are placed by the Department of Sports, Arts and culture. This has initiated talks between the NSG and NYDA to further enrol participants in the Art of Facilitating for Participatory Community Engagement for Community Workers, offered by the NSG. Engagements are ongoing to make this possible.

Post the delivery of TYPP, the NSG went on to deliver the Citizen-Centred Service Delivery (CCSD) course to 226 learners at Chrysalis Academy, Western Cape. At the Academy young people from disadvantaged communities from across the province underwent rigorous training to instil discipline and build character. The participants are then placed in various service delivery sites such as clinics, hospitals, police stations etc. to assist in facilitating services delivery whilst also acquiring practical work experience. >

The CCSD was therefore the most appropriate intervention to help young people understand what it means to serve.

In March 2023, the NSG trained a group of 226 female participants, then during the month of July further trained 226 male participants. The cohort is scheduled to complete their training on 29 July and then head to their placement sites.

Between May and Youth Month in June, the NSG team spent a total of 3

weeks at different intervals delivering three courses to 700 young people taking part in the National Rural Youth Service Corps (NARYSEC) Youth Leadership Development Programme (YLDP).

NARYSEC is a programme of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DLARD) which is implemented in partnership with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the Department of Defence (DoD). The YLDP comprised training

interventions offered by different stakeholders as follows:

• Department of Defence – hosted the 700 learners at Dunnottar Miliary Base and trained them military-style on issues of discipline, patriotism, and civic responsibilities.

• The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) – brought in to assist those who needed driving experience to obtain driving licences.

• National Youth Development Agency – trained youth on business management and entrepreneurship

• The National School of Government – offered three courses to the youth which are: Personal Mastery; Constitution and Administration of the Public Sector; and Leadership Workshop for Future Leaders.

The cohort that commenced in May at Dunnottar Military Base, ended their YLDP in high spirits in the Pass Out Parade that was officiated by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the 12 July 2023. The President appreciated the work that the partners (including the NSG) did in training the young people. The President expresses his desire to have the programme massified to reach young people in their thousands across the country.

The President also issued awards to participant who had been selected as best performers in various aspects.

As stated by President Ramaphosa at the pass-out parade: “We can only overcome the challenge of youth unemployment if we work together. Let us build better, stronger, safer rural communities. Let us leave noone behind.”

The NSG has heeded the call. 

Commercial Banking

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Think bigger. Think Nedbank Commercial Banking.

For more information email us at publicsector@nedbank.co.za.

EMBRACING THE FUTURE REVOLUTIONIZING GLOBAL MOBILITY WITH CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIES LOCALLY

In our rapidly evolving world, the concept of mobility is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Gone are the days when transportation simply meant getting from point A to point B. Today, smart mobility is paving the way for a new era of interconnected, efficient, and sustainable transportation systems, powered by cutting-edge technologies

that are shaping the future of mobility worldwide.

At the forefront of this global revolution are advancements in cloud computing, wireless communication, location-based services, computer vision, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT). These ground-breaking

Written by: Khangwelo Muronga

technologies are converging to redefine the way we move, opening up exciting possibilities for enhanced transportation experiences, optimized logistics, and improved urban liveability.

Cloud computing has emerged as a game-changer, revolutionizing data management and analysis.

By harnessing the power of cloud platforms, transportation stakeholders can seamlessly store, process, and analyse vast amounts of real-time data. This capability enables timely decisionmaking, predictive analytics, and optimization of mobility services, leading to more efficient transportation systems and improved user experiences.

Wireless communication technologies, particularly the advent of 5G networks, have unlocked unprecedented levels of

connectivity. This ultra-fast and reliable communication infrastructure empowers real-time interaction between vehicles, infrastructure, and control centres. As a result, traffic management becomes more precise, safety monitoring is enhanced, and transportation operations become increasingly efficient.

Location-based services, facilitated by Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) like GPS, provide precise positioning information for vehicles and travellers. These services enable accurate navigation, route optimization, and realtime tracking, reducing congestion and improving the efficiency of logistics and transportation operations.

Computer vision, with its remarkable ability to perceive and interpret the environment, is revolutionizing intelligent transportation systems. Through advanced video analysis and sensor data, computer vision algorithms can detect hazards, monitor traffic flow, and enable advanced driver assistance systems. The integration of computer vision technologies ensures safer and more efficient mobility, bringing us closer to our vision of seamless transportation experiences.

data exchange in the transportation realm. Through IoT devices, vehicles, infrastructure, and other smart devices can seamlessly communicate and share critical information. This connectivity enables real-time monitoring of traffic conditions, infrastructure maintenance, and integration of smart sensors into transportation networks. The result is a safer, more efficient, and interconnected mobility ecosystem.

As we strive to shape the future of mobility, it is imperative to embrace these cutting-edge technologies and adopt a global standard for smart mobility. By leveraging their potential, we can transcend geographical boundaries and create transportation systems that are sustainable, efficient, and inclusive. Collaboration among industry leaders, policymakers, and research institutions is key to fostering innovation, driving interoperability, and ensuring global alignment in smart mobility solutions. I am passionate about spearheading the adoption of these transformative technologies and driving thought

communities, and pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future. Join us and together, we can revolutionise local mobility and shape a better tomorrow.

Khangwelo Muronga is the Research Group Leader of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, South Africa|CSIR leader of the Transport Infrastructure Management research group.

He has a Masters degree in Business Information Systems. Khangwelo’s team currently does work for the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport.

About the CSIR

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, commonly known as the CSIR, is a world-class African research and development organisation established through an Act of Parliament in 1945. The CSIR undertakes directed, multidisciplinary research and technological innovation that contributes to the improved quality of life of South Africans. 

Artificial intelligence, fuelled by powerful algorithms and machine learning models, is unlocking the potential of vast transportation datasets. AI enables predictive modelling, demand forecasting, personalized mobility services, and optimized resource allocation. By harnessing AI's capabilities, we can create transportation systems that are responsive, adaptive, and tailored to the needs of individuals and communities.

The Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as a catalyst for connectivity and

leadership in global smart mobility. Through an unwavering commitment to research, innovation, and collaboration, the full potential of cutting-edge technologies can be unlocked, and subsequently, revolutionise transportation experiences, and create a more connected and sustainable world. The future of mobility is within our grasp. Let us embrace this opportunity to redefine transportation, empower

CONTACT DETAILS

Tel: 012 841 2911

Email: enquiries@csir.co.za

Website: www.csir.co.za

Address:

Meiring Naudé Road, Brummeria, Pretoria

As we strive to shape the future of mobility, it is imperative to embrace these cutting-edge technologies and adopt a global standard for smart mobility.

CAPRICORN TVET COLLEGE

Celebrates Artisan/TVET Month

On 3 February 2014, former Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Mduduzi Manana, launched and declared the next 10 years (2014 – 2024) as the “Decade of the Artisan” while also announcing that the month of August will be known as TVET College Month.

Capricorn TVET College recognises its role as an institution in the creation of artisans in the Limpopo Province, and the celebration of artisans and skilled TVET students remains an important factor in job creation and skills development in South Africa.

TVET Month, meant to familiarise learners and communities with programmes and career pathways offered in the respective public colleges in South Africa, and allows TVET Colleges to intensify their outreach campaigns throughout the month of August by offering quality career information to as many learners and youth Not in Employment Education and Training (NEET) as possible.

Throughout this campaign information about all the programmes in TVET Colleges and their requirements is comprehensively shared not only to

prospective students, but also to the general public.

Marking the 9th year, Capricorn TVET College in partnership with all six (6) sister TVET colleges in Limpopo will embark on school visits and roadshow campaigns on the 7th and 8th of August 2023 in both the Ga-Mashashane and Mokomeni Villages,

Capricorn TVET College will visit four (4) schools during Artisan/TVET Month:

• Mamokutupi Secondary School in Mokomeni Village

Student Recruitment

Capricorn TVET College targets prospective students and offers career guidance through the role out of school visits and career exhibitions and expos hosted by different stakeholders in the Capricorn District.

In the second quarter of the year, the College has been to various schools and exhibitions with the aim of offering quality and comprehensive career related information to the youth. The Marketing and Communication Officials, in collaboration with career guidance officers that are based at Polokwane, Seshego, Senwabarwana and Ramokgopa Campus, provide grade 9 to 12 learners with information regarding all programmes available at the four campuses, enrolment requirements, and enrolment processes.

As these career guidance and expos are conducted, information regarding

• Sefoloko Secondary School in Mokomeni Village

• Dr MJ Madira High School in GaMashashane

Tlakale Mashashane Secondary School in Ga-Mashashane

learnerships, bursaries and internships are provided to displaced youth that are currently not in school and have not completed grade 12, as they are eligible for learnerships and apprentice programmes.

Among the exhibitions that Capricorn TVET College has successfully attended in the second quarter to date are:

• Capricorn District Municipality, Sekhukhune

• Khaiso High School Career Exhibition at Ngoako Ramahlodi Hall, Seshego

• The University of Venda, Vhembe District

• Lesedi Information Hub, Seshego Stadium

• Polokwane Show Career Exhibition at Polokwane Cricket Club

• Letaba TVET College Career Exhibition, Tzaneen

• Limpopo Legislature Career Exhibition at Kgobokanang Primary School, Senwabarwana

• Department of Employment and Labour Career Exhibition at Ga-Semenya, and Ga-Hlahla in Moletjie

• Batau Ba Seloane Career Exhibition at Malatane, Zebediela

• Vhembe TVET College Career Exhibition, Makhado

• Capricorn District Municipality Youth Empowerment Expo at Makanye Sports Ground

• Presidential Imbizo Career Exhibition at Motodi Village in Sekhukhune

• Mandela Day Commemoration career exhibition at Maphokwane High School in Mashishimale Village at Mopani

Capricorn TVET College

Open Day

Furthermore, Capricorn TVET College will host an Open Day at the Senwabarwana Campus in the first week of September 2023 to demonstrate to learners the skills that they would acquire if they enrol with accredited public TVET Colleges.

During the Open Day, lecturers and students from Civil Engineering, Mechatronics, IT, Hospitality, Mechanical Engineering, Plant Process Operation, Engineering and Related Design and Civil Engineering bring

the machinery and equipment of the programmes to demonstrate to the learners by giving them a real feel of the actual work being done in all the mentioned fields.

The purpose of the Open Day is to expose the learners as prospective students to the programmes and foster their interests for becoming artisans in the near future. The Open Day, expos and exhibitions are successful and effective recruitment strategies as Capricorn TVET College has a high number of applications every semester and has improved the intake of students at all four campuses. 

A CELEBRATION OF TENACITY AND COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY MEDIA REVAMPED STUDIO UNVEILING OF 27-YEAR-OLD VUKANI COMMUNITY RADIO STATION!

On Wednesday 14 June 2023, the community of Cala, Tsomo, Elliot and other surrounding areas in the Chris Hani District Municipality and Sakhisizwe Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape province, witnessed the unveiling of brand-new studios of Vukani FM studio by the Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Ms Nomasonto Motaung (MP).

During this momentous occasion, the Deputy Minister was accompanied by a group of distinguished guests, such as the local Chief Somidaka Zweloxolo Stokwe, Local Mayor, Mrs. Boniswa Ponoshe, representative from the Chris Hani District Municipality, on behalf

of District Mayor, Mr. Wongama Gela, Vukani Board Chairperson, Mr. Siyabulela Maselana, Sakhisizwe and MDDA Board Chairperson, Professor Hlengani Mathebula.

It was fitting that Vukani FM gets all this admiration a day before the commemoration of June 16, which is marked in the South African calendar as Youth Day, a day in which South Africans honour the youth that was ambushed by the apartheid regime police in Soweto on 16 June 1976. On the day, over 500 young people, including school students, were killed.

Vukani is a living example of the impact of focused attention and effort by the

youth. The station was established by the Cala University Students Association (CALUSA) in 1993, these were young people who realised the importance of radio as a platform to disseminate programming that addresses topical issues of local, provincial, and national interest and give their communities a podium to voice their views and participate meaningfully in their own development. The location of Cala in the heartland of the Eastern Cape was recognized by these students as a possible limitation in community upliftment and they saw fit to effect a change not only for their own benefit but for all citizens within the broadcasting radius of the station.

The Youth Day celebrations were also brought to life by the Cala Film group, who showcased a play depicting the happenings around that ominous day of June 16, 1976.

In her keynote address, the Deputy Minister in the Presidency paid homage to Vukani Community Radio’s 27 years of uninterrupted broadcasting:

“Vukani Community Radio is one of the oldest community radio stations

Vukani Community Radio Station is a living example of the impact of focused attention and effort by the youth.

amongst the likes of Bush Community Radio, Jozi FM (formerly Soweto Community Radio) and Radio Zibonele. These community radio stations have led the Africanisation of radio in South Africa, championed access to information in African languages and have led the cultural emancipation of society.”

It was heart-warming to see the current

station Manager of Vukani, Mr Xola Nozewu displaying a suitcase size broadcast instrument that formed the basis for the start of the station. On the 9th April 1996, when the station went on air, Vukani was only able to transmit within a limited radius, and over the past 27 years the radius has improved to cover the areas of Chris Hani District Municipality and nearby local municipalities such as Mbashe, Elundini,

OR Tambo, Mnquma and Amahlathi, as well as the following towns: Cala, Elliot, Engcobo, Tsomo, Cofimvaba, Lady Frere, Indwe, Dordrecht and Queenstown, Ugie, Maclear, Tsolo, Mthatha, Ngqamakwe, Dutywa, Butterworth, Cradock, GraafReinet, Jamestown, Stutterheim, King Williams Town, Cathcart, and Hoffmeyer. Some of these areas, such as Mthatha, lie as far as 166 kms from the station’s headquarters.

The Chairperson of the Board in congratulating Vukani Community Radio directed that as part of the 20 years anniversary of the MDDA, the Agency should actively pursue the establishment of a museum of community media for South Africa.

The Vukani studio launch was hosted as the last event in a focused 3-day visit by the MDDA to the Eastern Cape province. The first two events took place in East London, namely, the first leg of the MDDA call for Grant Funding Applications Roadshow, which happened on Monday 12 June at the Garden Court, and the cocktail reception to kick-off the MDDA 20-year celebrations that took place at the ICC Premier Hotel.

A series of celebratory events that profile and promote the community media and small commercial media sector are planned for the remainder of the year under the theme “Democracy and Diversity: Celebrating 20 Years of Access to Information and Media Freedom through community media”. 

MOTHEO TVET COLLEGE... THE GATEWAY TO EMPLOYABILITY

a long-lasting strategic partnership that will respond to prevailing socioeconomic challenges that continue to plague our communities, particularly the youth. The aim is to foster development and innovation, and also to leverage on a pool of available skills offered by the College.

Successful partnerships include the SA-Navy, for Work Integrated Learning for students and industry placement for lecturers, and the Maastricht School of Management & Stellenbosch University Project for strengthening skills of TVET staff and students for optimizing water usage and climate smart agriculture in South Africa.

Linking to the Vision of Motheo TVET College, “The Gateway to Employability”, and the Mission to “Be a visionary and innovative provider of excellence, responsive to the needs of the community”, the programme qualification offerings mix of the College addresses the economic needs of its service area with the intention to be of more service to industry by producing the much-needed skilled workforce and qualified artisans.

The College has fostered partnerships

with a spectrum of industries, government institutions and local and international partners who assist with skills development and where accreditation is not yet in place.

The former Premier of the Free State Provincial Government Ms Sefora Ntombela, accompanied by all MEC’s and HOD’s, recently visited Motheo TVET College to strengthen consensus on new areas of collaboration. The College and the Free State Provincial Government are working hand-inglove with the intention of building

Recently the College signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kreishandwerkers (KH) chaft of Germany. The purpose of the six-year partnership is to support the College towards the enhancement

The College aims at addressing skills shortage in line with the continuation of the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande’s, mandate of expanding its training programmes.

Principal: Prof Dipiloane Phutsisi

of demand-oriented training with a focus on the artisan trades to provide graduates with improved employment and self-employment prospects. Other international partnerships include Coleg Gwent (UK), West-Lothian College in Scotland, Warwickshire College Group in Lamington Spa (UK). The College also has an MOU with the University of Free State (UFS): Development Institutional Advancement for Technology, enhancement, research and personnel training and development, and with Northlink TVET College in Cape Town.

The College operates closely with SETAs such as Services SETA, MerSETA,

CHIETA, CETA, LGSETA, W&RSETA amongst others. Recently the College entered into a signed agreement with the MICT SETA to train and place college students to be technicians to build capacity and to establish computer labs.

Currently the College has been selected as a Centre of Excellence, it is an ICT Academy for two market leaders in the ICT Sector, namely Cisco and Huawei. Being an academy falling under these two companies allows the College to run certified courses that will enable registrants to be equipped with skills such as CCNA, IT Essentials, Internet of Things,

Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Cloud Computing, Python Programming and 4G/5G.

The College aims to be an entity responsible for initiating and implement economic development projects within the Ocean Economy in the Free State.

Under the sterling leadership of Principal, Prof Dipiloane Phutsisi, Motheo TVET College has won numerous National and International awards. The College is an official member of the European Business Academy in Oxford in the UK since 2017. The College won the PMR Africa Golden Arrow Award in 2014 and Diamond Arrow Award (highest rated) from 2015 to 2022. The College received an International Quality Award for Excellence in Education from the European Business Academy in Lucerne, Switzerland in July 2017. The College also received ISO 9001:2015 accreditation through the British Standard Institute. 

CONTACT DETAILS

Tel: 051 406 9300

Email: marketing@motheotvet.edu.za

Website: www.motheotvet.edu.za

Address: 94 St. Georges Street, Bloemfontein, 9301

NELSON MANDELA MUSEUM STRENGTHENS RELATIONS WITH GERMAN INSTITUTIONS

The Nelson Mandela Museum (NMM), led by its CEO, Dr Vuyani Gweki Booi, had a week-long engagement with its international partners from Germany at the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre, in Johannesburg, 02 June 2023. The CEO was accompanied by Dr Nomvuselelo Songelwa, who is a Council Member of the museum, CFO Mr Mandisi Msongelwa, Mr Thabelo

Mbedzi who is the Acting Senior Manager of Heritage & Conservation, as well as Mr Solomzi Bovana, the Education Officer of the institution.

The Nelson Mandela Museum has a long-standing collaboration with Anne Frank House which dates back to 2008. The partnership between NMM and Anne Frank House has benefited more than 200 young South African students. Through the

education/cultural exchange we have with Germany, the students got the opportunity to travel to Germany annually both for cultural and educational exchange. Two other new partners have since come on board. These new partners are BergenBeslen Memorial and Arbeit und Leben Niedersachsen.

The main purpose of the meeting was to introduce the two new partners

and work on the modalities of the new-look relationship, and to plan for the 2024 and 2025 International Youth Camps and its composition. According to the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), it was agreed that 10 learners from South Africa will go to Germany in 2024 to attend the International Youth Camp and in 2025, 10 German learners will come to South Africa to be part of the International Camp to be hosted by the Nelson Mandela Museum. The delegations of these respective entities also had an engagement with the Germany Embassy in South Africa, represented by its official on Education and Cultural Exchange, Mr Jesko von Samson who demonstrated his appreciation for this partnership and its objectives.

Even though we had a tight schedule, together with our partners, we did manage to find time to visit some landmarks and sites of historical significance in South Africa. We jointly visited Apartheid Museum, Freedom Square in Kliptown, Regina Mundi Church, Bishop Desmond Tutu’s House, Nelson Mandela House as well Hector Peterson Memorial Site.

The objective of visiting these South

African institutions of memory was to expose our German partners to the trail of the South African liberation struggle history whose memory is embedded in these institutions of memory. It was a deliberate effort by Nelson Mandela Museum management to educate the Germans about the impact that apartheid had on the lives of South African people in particular Black Africans. It also allows us to share and draw similarities between the holocaust and genocide and apartheid ideologies and their impact on society.

This new revamped and enhanced relationship with our German partners will take the Nelson Mandela Museum and its educational programmes to unprecedented heights. The youth of South Africa and Germany will learn how the systems of injustice were overcome and strong democracies were built in both South Africa and Germany. This exchange program will allow these young people to deal with their history self-critically knowing very well that democracy not only has to be built, but also preserved.

The Nelson Mandela Museum remains committed to sharing the values,

philosophy and legacy of Nelson Mandela with all the people of the world irrespective of their cultural backgrounds, political persuasions and creed. We aim to entrench the values of Nelson Mandela to create bridges of peace, justice, freedom, reconciliation and social justice for all throughout the world. 

GERMAN PARTNERS:

CONTACT DETAILS

Tel: 047 501 9500

Website: www.nelsonmandelamuseum.org.za

Address:

Corner Nelson Mandela Drive & Owen Street, Bhunga Building, Mthatha, 5009

Back: is Mr Guy Band, Bergen-Beslen Memorial; Mr Solomzi Bovana, NMM; Mr Thabelo Mbedzi, NMM; and Ms Lea Gertich, Arbeit und Leben Niedersachsen. Front: is Ms Katrin Unger, Bergen-Beslen Memorial; Mr Norik Mentzing, Anne-Frank-House; Dr Vuyani Gweki Booi, NMM as well as Gesa Lonnemann, Arbeit und Leben Niedersachsen

Dr Mvuyi Songelwa , German Ambassador Jesko Von Samson and Dr Vuyani Booi

TALETSO TVET COLLEGE “where eagles dare”

Taletso TVET College is in touch with its reality as an institution that is surrounded by mainly rural areas and uses this as inspiration and an advantage. The College is inviting to everyone who seeks an education no matter your background.

While some may see the College’s geographical location as a disadvantage, the location has in contrast become one of the institutions strong points.

Taletso TVET College has bridged the gap between education and accessibility for Students in the nearby rural areas by giving them a platform to learn, further their studies and reach opportunities influenced by their academics and extra mural activities in the institution.

The College Offers theoretical and practical based education in Engineering studies, Business related courses, Farming, Information Technology, Tourism and Hospitality, where students learn not only what to do, but how to do it in practise.

Global Outlook

Taletso TVET college which is located in the north-western corner of South Africa is the product of a merger between Lehurutshe College of Education, Mafikeng College

and Lichtenburg College. The three campuses are situated in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality of the North West Province and are 80+- km from each other.

The college stays in touch with international standards and opportunities for Artisans training and development by actively promoting participation of its students in the WorldSkills Competition.

The WorldSkills Competition aims to bring excitement to the artisanal industry in South Africa by exposing our communities to engineering on a bigger scale, to encourage more young people from high schools, tertiary institutions such as TVETS, and unemployed youth to see artisanal careers as a career of choice to help fight the skills shortage in South Africa.

Developing female leaders for tomorrow, today

“It should not shock people anymore that a woman is aiming or is in a position of leadership, we are well capacitated and ready to lead,” says Mahikeng Campus Chairperson, Ms Bokamoso Letshoo. She adds,” The mission is not complete for as long as people still feel amazed about the concept of a female leader.”

Letshoo says her key role is to ensure that the SRC fulfils their mandate, coordinate the SRC's relationship with its various stakeholders according to their portfolios, to lead with respect, and to ensure that the needs of students are prioritized.

She adds, “I am inspired by women like North-West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi. Her journey in leadership is one that is very familiar to me, from her days at high school, she is enthusiastic, has positive energy, and an excellent vision for the future.”

The 27-year-old from Itsoseng who enrolled at Taletso TVET College for her NCV studying Management Assistant in 2020, says besides always having an interest in politics and

Ms Bokamoso Letshoo, SRC Chairperson, Mahikeng Campus

the status quo of the country, she realised the possibilities of making a change when she joined a student political affiliation shortly after enrolling.

Her love and fire for student affairs drove her to run for SRC Chairperson. She describes her journey as one that challenged her in ways that she did not anticipate.

She quips, “Even though I had an idea of what it would be like to run for Chairperson, no one really told me that it would also be emotionally, physically and mentally taxing. However, my passion for helping students and being able to make a difference in their lives kept me going. At some point I was a student who needed assistance from the SRC too. I know how lifechanging it is to have just one person willing to listen and help you with your issues.”

“Being a Leader means you have a team. This ship is not mine alone, and I appreciate the support I have received from my fellow SRC Members from Mahikeng Campus and our other 2 campuses. We regularly consult each other to find better ways of Governance. It is important

to remain level headed and objective as a leader by always remembering why I chose this path and ensuring I don't give up. First you have to care about the wellbeing of your colleagues and fellow students.

We come across different characters all the time, which is why is it important to remain level-headed all the time.”

The determined, dedicated and disciplined Chairperson of Mahikeng Campus concludes: “I hope my stint as leader brings growth to the Campus and College, but most importantly makes a positive change in students’ lives.”

Preparing students for the 4IR and AI

In line with global trends of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) that is driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) in computer technology, Taletso TVET College unveiled its cutting-edge Tech-Savvy Lab and Classroom at the Mahikeng Campus, ushering in a new era of learning. Students now have the privilege of immersing themselves in a fully digitized environment.

The lab was made feasible through a partnership with FASSET and IT MASTER who sponsored the hightech laboratory and classroom.

The unveiling of the futuristic Tech-Savvy Lab and Classroom at Mahikeng Campus demonstrates the College's commitment to providing world-class education, preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

With this transformative leap, the institution has solidified its position as a beacon of progressive learning and innovation, in a rural setting.

Academically prepared and work ready!

Taletso TVET College continues to place its students in different work fields to acquire much-needed experience in the work environment.

Work Based Exposure (WBE) is a project initiated by DHET to expose all NCV Students in the exit level across all programmes to a real work environment. The Taletso WBE team has already managed to place a total number of 83 students and four Mentors.

The students in the field of Electrical and Civil Engineering, Engineering & Related Design (ERD), Hospitality and Management were placed with the following partners and host employers: Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Lewatle Guesthouse Protea Hotel, Corner Life Café, Beehive Catering, Taletso TVET College Mafikeng Campus, Mafikeng Re-engineering.

Each student is appointed a mentor to help guide them on how the day-to-day operations of the workplace are carried out. >

The Academic Support Unit is continuously in communication with appointed mentors allocated to the students at the beginning of the placement to ensure progressive and successful learning.

From the classroom to the workplace

What makes TVET colleges imperative for a developing economy such as South Africa is that they prepare school leavers with ready-to-work skills so that they can make an impact on the workplace immediately. This is the pillar of TVET education, and Taletso is cognisant and committed to this objective.

One such beneficiary is Ms Koketso Onalenna Kamanga, a 24 year-old from Montshioa in Mafikeng.

In sharing her experience she says, “I attended Boitseanape Technical Secondary School, where I was exposed to Engineering Trades. I then did my N1 - N6 with Taletso TVET College. The road was not an

easy one because there were some obstacles along the way, but my passion and determination is what kept me going until I completed my course.”

“Engineering generally has in the past been a male-dominated field, it does get scary and overwhelming at times as we come across people in the field who see us as females first, before they see and acknowledge us as engineers who are capable.”

“I was placed in Taletso’s Bricklaying Apprenticeship. It is a 3-year program where we do in-service training in the trade,” she continues. “After 36 months we will go for trade tests which will qualify us to be Artisans.”

Kamanga laments that the work environment has it's up and downs. The downs mostly being your capability being questioned because of your gender. Also, having to get used to the weight of the job, which definitely improves over time. The ups being the knowledge, skill and experience one attains along the journey.

She explains: “When I got into the field, I came with the mentality that I will not restrict myself in to learning new things. I have basically played a couple of roles on varying projects.

I have done bricklaying, duties of a Clerk of Works, a Supervisor, a Store Keeper, I have worked in the Safety Office, and other tasks that you would find being done in a construction project on site. The experience has been amazing sinceI started being in the field and doing the actual work, and hearing of my progress from the people who have been my mentors motivates me to push and grow myself and my knowledge in the field.”

“Even though I’m passionate about Civil Engineering, I don't want to focus on one type of engineering at the moment, I want to know and have qualifications of other courses in the fields. My goal is to work for more companies and work in more projects to acquire different skills that will enable me to one day run my own company and share my knowledge and skills with those who will be coming up after me. Engineering is a challenging but exciting field, I wouldn't trade what I am doing for anything else,” Kamanga concludes.

True to its vision

Taletso TVET College’s vision is to be a dynamic institution committed to growing skilled people for a better future. Its mission is to strive to be an institution of excellence that provides high-quality, demand-led programmes to support skills development in South Africa.

With its intake of students from the nearby rural surroundings, neighbouring Botswana and other areas, the college believes it will achieve this with the support of its partners and commitment of its students and staff. 

Central Office:

Tel: +27 (0) 18 384 2346/ 50

Fax: +27 (0) 18 384 7511

Email: info@taletsofetcollege.co.za

Website: www.taletso.edu.za

Address: 761-762 Setlogelo Drive, Montshiwa Unit 2, Mahikeng, 2790

Ms Koketso Kamanga's graduation

PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA FOCUSES

THE PRESIDENTIAL COORDINATING COUNCIL ON ACCELERATED SERVICE DELIVERY IN RESPONSE TO THE NEEDS OF COMMUNITIES

The PCC is the President’s platform for consultation and crucial engagement with provinces and organised local government in order to raise matters of national interest, coordinate alignment of priorities, strengthen strategic priorities, and discuss

performance. The PCC transcends local boundaries and coordinates responses in a transversal and holistic manner.

President Cyril Ramaphosa convened the Presidential Coordinating Council (PCC) on Friday, 02 June 2023 centred on the

theme of accelerating service delivery and addressing challenges in relation to legislation, governance and capacity constraints, including the strengthening of intergovernmental coordination within the existing legislative and governance framework.

Strengthening local government performance

President Ramaphosa said government needs to urgently address service delivery issues at local government level that can mostly be ascribed

to a lack of requisite skills and competencies, governance failures and lack of accountability and inadequate consequence management.

“It is vital that we enhance the mobilisation of resources to be provided by national and provincial Government to support and strengthen the capacity of municipalities in the exercise of their powers and performance of their functions in accordance with section 154 of the Constitution. Our constitution acknowledges that local government is everybody’s business,” said President Ramaphosa.

The President acknowledged that despite the support that COGTA provides through the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) that deploys built environment professionals to provide technical support to municipalities on infrastructure development, infrastructure asset management as well as building a skills pipeline for local government, significant challenges continue to afflict local government.

MISA further supports municipalities to implement all other sector departments’ infrastructure projects in accordance with the District Development Model (DDM) that aims to break silo boundaries and ensure alignment across government departments and between the different spheres of government. However, service delivery blockages continue despite these existing mechanisms, legislation and cooperation agreements.

The PCC deliberated on the urgent task to review the funding model for municipalities and to re-evaluate the skills acquisition processes in order to enhance the capacitation of local government.

The meeting considered further validation and enhancement of the DDM as a mechanism for improved intergovernmental coordination and service delivery.

Electricity services

On the urgent task and ongoing efforts aimed at reducing load shedding, through inter-governmental collaboration, the meeting noted the process that is currently underway, coordinated by the Minister of Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramakgopa, to introduce the net-billing framework currently being considered by NERSA, development of a wheeling framework and a feed-in tariff regime for municipalities which will enable households and business to add additional megawatts to the grid.

Water resources and services

On the delivery of water resources and water services, the meeting noted the critical task of improving the management of waste water and the restoring of high levels of water quality and reliability of supply.

Improving the water provision services requires increasing investments, ensuring revenue sufficiency and the appointment of professional and capable technical and managerial skills.

The meeting further considered proposed reforms to the Water Act and Water Services Act which will provide for better service delivery of water and enhanced regulation of the water sector. The Department of Water and Sanitation will provide further details on the Water Act amendment process including stakeholder consultations. >

“It is vital that we enhance the mobilisation of resources to be provided by national and provincial Government to support and strengthen the capacity of municipalities in the exercise of their powers and performance of their functions,”President Ramaphosa.

State of roads

The PCC affirmed several interventions required for the upgrading and maintenance of the country’s road network. These include direct budget interventions by the National Department of Transport, funding for emergency works and routine maintenance over the next six months, further funding over the MTEF for medium term maintenance over the 12-month period, and primary road transfers from provincial authorities to the national road network for better management of provincial roads by SANRAL. The PCC welcomed the adoption of new technologies for usage in the resurfacing of gravel roads as a necessary innovative and cost reduction measure. This includes the deployment of Nano technology, which will reduce surfacing cost by 50%.

Waste management and greening

As part of the National Waste Management Strategy of 2020, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment will focus on immediate interventions aimed at mass employment, cleaning and greening over the next 12 months and beyond.

The accelerated greening plan will be implemented in partnership with other role players. The greening plan targets 13 municipalities which are mostly capital cities of the nine provinces in the country and is scheduled to commence in June 2023 and aims to plant 72 500 trees by the end of March 2024. 40 000 trees will be planted by end of September 2023 (Arbor Month Campaign).

The mass employment element will cumulatively target 13 municipalities with 18 000 participants of about 2000 per province. The recruitment process will be conducted in line

with EPWP published guidelines by DPWI (60% women, 55% youth and 2% PWDs). Currently, the program has 682 participants that have already been on-boarded and are present on the ground.

To address the challenge of illegal dumping, the DFFE will finalise a proposal to assist 13 municipalities with the purchase of fleet for improved waste collection, clearing of illegal dumps and proper landfill management.

Human Settlements

The PCC supported the interventions for accelerating service delivery in human settlements with a particular focus on the vulnerable and special groups, and providing speedy responses to housing emergencies and upgrading informal settlements. The meeting noted the importance of public-private partnerships in the implementation of bulk infrastructure in identified prioritised settlements in non-metros.

The department will also finalise the Housing in Human Settlements White Paper within 9 months. Furthermore, the Department committed to tighten recommendations regarding regulatory

reforms and provide trends analysis in respect of funds transferred to all other organs of state, propose reforms in respect of payments milestones, unblocking blocked projects and title deeds management processes.

Conclusion:

The meeting was the first regular President’s Coordinating Council (PCC) meeting in more than three years. The last regular meeting was held on 28 February 2020, during this period 31 special PCC meetings focussing on the response to COVID-19 as well as the national states of disaster were held. The PCC held 10 special meetings in 2020, and 15 special meetings in 2021. In 2022, there were 4 meetings convened. Earlier this year, 2 meetings were held.

These meetings are indicative of the extraordinary times the country has lived through, as it came to grips with the seemingly insurmountable challenges posed by the pandemic, the floods in parts of KZN, the Eastern Cape and the North West and more recently, the electricity challenges. They are also indicative of what can be achieved when all spheres of government work together as one government, serving the people. 

HEALING THE EASTERN CAPE AND POWERING STUDENTS FOR A GLOBAL FUTURE!

Ikhala TVET College Acting Principal, Mr Mqondisi Bhikisha, speaks to Municipal Focus on the uplifting role of the College in the Eastern Cape.

Ikhala TVET College is named after a resilient succulent plant that is found in arid areas and known for its healing properties – just like this TVET college!

Ikhala TVET College, according to its Acting Principal Mr Bhikisha, is an educational remedy to all educational ailments in the catchment area it serves; which are the Chris Hani and Joe Gqabi District Municipalities in the Eastern Cape.

Mr. Bhikisha expounds, “We cannot run away from the fact that we are based in the rural parts of the Eastern Cape, but we must produce graduates who are ready to work and compete in the global arena and work in a globalised environment!”

“The biggest challenge we face, and have grabbed with both horns, is to provide world-class quality education with a global view in the rural setting where we are physically located,” Mr Bhikisha explains.

Bhikisha, brings a wealth of experience to the college – having been in the education sector for over 30 years, mostly at management level. Along the way he has eveloped partnerships inside and outside the education environment, which benefits the college immensely.

Making an impact

The work of the college in ‘healing education’ is already showing results, according to Bhikisha.

In Chris Hani District Municipality, the number of people within the ‘matric only’ category, increased from 62,600 to 96,000. With the number of people with matric and a certificate/diploma increasing at an average annual rate of 5.19%.

In Joe Gqabi District Municipality people with matric and a certificate/ diploma have increased at an average annual rate of 4.85%.

“These figures mean a betterqualified work pool for the municipalities and local business; increased productivity and improved service delivery,” Bhikisha says. “It also means that people from the province have a better chance of getting opportunities outside of the districts.”

Ikhala TVET has campuses in most of the rural towns of the two regions; it has service delivery sites and campuses in:

• Sterkspruit

• Aliwal North

• Lady Frere

• Ezibeleni (Administration Head Office)

• Queenstown

• Cala

• Tsomo

“The spread of our presence throughout the two districts ensures that we are accessible to students,” explains Bhikisha. “Most students can attend classes and go home. This not only makes education physically accessible but also affordable for our rural community members who save on transport and college boarding costs.”

If need be, students use private accommodation in nearby facilities and homes, creating a secondary industry.

“We may be rural in physical setting, but we ensure that students receive quality TVET education by providing professional lecturers, providing bursaries to train lecturers who are teaching in these campuses, and ensure that resources provided are of the best quality,” Bhikisha adds.

Bridging the gap & producing job-creators

Ikhala TVET puts a particular emphasis on narrowing the

divide between the schooling system and the demands of a real workplace environment. The college simulates workplace experience in delivering education. It also seizes opportunities for students to get real work experience.

is striving to keep this record.

In the drive for practical work experience, Ikhala TVET places and provides learnerships, skills training, short courses and apprenticeships in collaboration with various SETAs, the National Skills Fund (NSF) as well as industry partners. The college also places students in workplaces through Work Integrated Learning (WIL). Some of the students end up getting employment where they are placed.

Bhikisha explains, “We are cognisant of the fact that for obvious >

Ikhala TVET college was the top academic performer in the Eastern Cape Province in 2022 and

Snovuyo Mboniswa competing in WorldSkills, Germany, representing South Africa

historical reasons and the current global economic environment, employment is very scarce in South Africa and the world. Hence if we continue producing ‘workers’ we shall be extending that job-seekers’ queue!”

“In this regard Ikhala TVET has set up the Center for Entrepreneurship & Rapid Incubator in partnership with the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA). The Centre is supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs; and equipping students and community members with skills to open businesses and to access funding through SEDA as well as its partners.

Bhikisha says proudly, “Further we assist to increase market opportunities for students and local SMMEs to promote their products and services through collaboration with other stakeholders in the ecosystem.”

To demonstrate the college’s commitment to producing jobcreators, students are encouraged to join the annual Eastern Cape Entrepreneurship Competition on the registration portal!

with the global environment. “We encourage students to take part in the WorldSkills ZA competition in order for them to get exposure to the globalised work environment,” Bhikisha adds. “The results and effects have been outstanding!”

One of the students, Ms Snovuyo Mboniswa, won Gold in Water Technology in the WorldSkills ZA (1st place) and went on to obtain a top-ten position (7th place) in the finals in Germany.

Bhikisha adds proudly, “The participation in the global stage has created opportunities through other partnerships. Resulting from strategic relations, we have two students who are currently studying towards Bachelors of Science Degrees in China. That too will have its own spin-off.”

Market-ready for the hightech global future

The College is not only inward-looking. In preparing the students for the 4IR, the college has ensured that all campuses have free wi-fi connectivity for students and staff to ensure that they are in touch

Well grounded

In its quest for playing in the global stage, the College does not ignore or renege on its commitment to addressing needs of the local communities and environment. The college has used its Occupational

Programmes to train co-operatives in the communities surrounding its campuses. The campuses have also provided learnerships and training on specific skills through short courses that ensures that the College stays in touch with the community it serves. The College also held formal sessions with businesses to improve relations and to promote business support of student placement and training initiatives.

“The benefit of the business sessions and breakfasts has been two-fold,” Bhikisha elaborates. “We used them to educate our stakeholders about our offering and needs; our stakeholders also inform us on the relevance of our training as well as how we can work together to grow our communities.”

Excellence on the local front

The College strives to reach management excellence by ensuring that the key management structures, The Council, College Management and the Student Representative Council work collaboratively to ensure smooth delivery of the College’s vision.

“We have seen tremendous growth of the institution over the last few years. Our student intake has tripled. Our academic and management performance has been excellent.”

– Mqondisi Bhikisha

“There is nothing that can take away the benefit of experience,” Bhikisha adds. “I was Acting Manager of Human Resources for the College for a year. That enables me to understand the issue affecting educators and other staff, from an employer and employee point of view. That experience comes in handy in developing the team and steering this organisation.”

“We are proud that we have received an unqualified audit for two years in a row for the first time,” Bhikisha says. “We wish to maintain that as our standard whilst we pursue our other goals.”

Bhikisha continues, “We have seen tremendous growth of the institution over the last few years. Our student intake has tripled. Our academic and

management performance has been excellent."

Ikhala TVET College was the top academic performer in the Eastern Cape Province in 2022 and is striving to keep this record.

The College also won gold in the Eastern Cape Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Choir Competition.

“Since we are preparing our students for the world of work, we would like to see all our graduates in workplaces by the time they graduate; either as employees or preferably as employers.

“The College is making strides to acquire unutilised/under-utilised infrastructure in the district. As well as raking in funds for further infrastructure development projects through strategic partnerships.

“We would also like to see Ikhala TVET College less dependent on the state for its operations. In this regard we are sharpening resource-mobilisation skills for Council and Management

through fundraising training. The funds raised will be used for development of strategic infrastructure and incomegenerating projects. These include a productive farm which will be run by both Farming Management and Agricultural students. Such farms will not only assist the College, but the local as well as the provincial economies as well.

“We also plan to build a Business Centre that will generate income for the college whilst supporting the neighbouring community," Bhikisha expounds.

4IR and keeping the college connected

“More importantly, in line with our commitment to get our students ready for the 4IR, we aim to upgrade our connectivity so that our college community is always ‘logged-on’ to the rest of the world with no disruptions,” Bhikisha concludes.

“Renewable energy will also be part of the mix to support the green economy and ensure a conducive learning environment for our students.” 

“We are proud that we have received an unqualified audit for two years in a row and wish to maintain that as our standard whilst we pursue our other goals.”

- Bhikisha

WATER AND WASTE SECTOR

WELCOME BACK LEADING INDUSTRY EVENT

WATER AND WASTE MANAGEMENT

TOP THE BILL AS KEY AREAS OF CONCERN

Messe Muenchen concluded IFAT Africa

2023 in Midrand with around 6 000 representatives and visitors from the environmental technology sector converged to welcome the key event back after a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic lockdown.

The fourth IFAT Africa, staged at Gallagher Convention Centre from 5-7 July, saw industry stakeholders flocking to the event for a long-

anticipated update on innovations, trends, challenges and solutions.

Now organised by Messe Muenchen India and Messe München GmbH, IFAT Africa 2023 was co-located with analytica Lab Africa, the only South African trade fair for the analysis, laboratory technology and biotechnology sectors. The combined events brought together over 6,000 visitors and a considerable number of leading brands for three days of networking, knowledge sharing and solution discovery.

Welcoming visitors from across Africa, Bhupinder Singh, CEO of event organisers Messe Muenchen India, highlighted the event’s strong focus on sustainable development, a circular economy, waste management and a rapid transition towards localised R&D.

He noted: “Africa is drawing interest from across the world. This year, we have truly global participation with exhibitors from as far afield as Germany, Austria, China, Italy, Norway and the UK. analytica Lab Africa presented research and science from local labs that are solving critical challenges; while the IFAT Africa conference offers perspectives on urgent matters like the circular economy and resource efficiency.

Katharina Schlegel, Global Industry Lead IFAT and Exhibition Director for IFAT shows abroad at Messe München noted: “IFAT Africa addresses issues relevant across the SADC region and the broader continent. In line with this, we were gratified to have the African Water and Sanitation Association hosting their meeting at IFAT Africa for the first time; and to host guests from across Africa.”

She added: “The great feedback from our exhibitors and stakeholders at this year's IFAT Africa shows not only how much potential there is in the African market and the entire sub-Saharan region, but also how important live events are for topics like those at IFAT Africa,” S/HE said. “The response we saw this year, and feedback from participants, indicate that the sector depends on IFAT Africa to stay up to date with developments in the sector.”

Mpendulo Ginindza of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA), said: “All industry stakeholders converge here. It is an important event for South Africa, as well as the Southern African and SADC regions. The industry understands all of the challenges that we are facing and are here to explore solutions. It is valuable to see and experience the solutions on offer and to have these important conversations.”

Among the exhibitors at this year’s event were James Morisse, business development manager at Nuwater, which designs and builds filtration and reverse osmosis plants.

He said: “Our experience of the show has been very positive. We’ve had numerous enquiries from prospective customers across industries – even industries we are typically not xposed to. We are seeing significant interest in solutions for retreatment of effluent waters and effluent from municipal applications.”

Gavin Bruggen, MD of Wilo Southern Africa, which offers pumping solutions for water and wastewater and filtration and treatment systems, said: “IFAT Africa is very important to Wilo worldwide, and we get >

extensively involved in IFAT around the world. in South Africa, it’s been a good exhibition for us, with good quality visitors that are relevant to the industry. Visitors are prioritising energy efficient solutions, and for Wilo this is right down our alley as we have many pumping solutions that are best in class when it comes to efficiencies.”

Nick Mannie, MD of DCLM, operated by global environmental management company Veolia, said: “The experience at the expo has been great. It’s such a pleasure to see the advancements and innovation in technology, with a lot of green technology and products also coming through.

A top trend we are seeing in the market is a huge move to focus on sustainability and green solutions.” In line with the tradition of the ten IFAT trade fairs held all over the world, a comprehensive supporting programme was presented, with lively debate and knowledge sharing on water management and environmental challenges in sub-Saharan Africa.

South Africa’s developing water and wastewater management crises were top areas of concern. Water and wastewater treatment sessions addressed areas such as Innovative Practices and New Technologies for Managing Urban Wastewater, and Women in the Water Sector.

Speakers also discussed topical issues such as Water as a Tool to Alleviate Poverty, Resource Efficiency in Industry, and developments in Waste to Energy.

The Circular Economy was another focus area on the conference agenda, with speakers tackling issues such as opportunities in the Circular Economy Sector in South Africa, Extended Producers' Responsibilities, Circular Financing and Green Investment, and Reimagining the Production, Consumption and Disposal of Plastics.

IFAT Africa presented the programme in collaboration with leading industry associations including SABIA (Southern Africa Biogas Association), SACEEC (The Southern Africa Capital Equipment Export Council) and IWMSA (The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa), WISA, GWP, ISWA, DWA, the Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC to name but a few.

Exhibitors also included Bomag, KSB, Xylem, Siemens and Endress+Hauser, amongst many others.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Analytica Lab Africa

Dain Richardson, CEM

Tel: 067 404 7681

Email:

dain.richardson@messemuenchen.co.za

IFAT Africa

Betty Sichivula

Tel: 073 028 8775

Email: betty@blueberryconcepts.co.za

SALGA APPOINTS MR SITHOLE MBANGA AS ITS NEW CEO

Mr Mbanga most recently served as the CEO of South African Cities Network (SACN), a network of South African cities and partners that encourages the exchange of information, experience, and best practice on urban development and city management.

He’s wealth of experience extends to various managerial positions in the public and private sectors, including the Local Government Support and Learning Network (LOGOSUL) and the National Business Initiative (NBI). SALGA President, Cllr.

“Mr Mbanga joins SALGA at a pivotal moment in our organisation's evolution, as reflected in our 2022–2027 strategic plan which is prefaced against global, continental, national and local imperatives,”SALGA President, Cllr. Bheke Stofile

The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) announced the appointment of Sithole Mbanga as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective from July 1, 2023, after a rigorous, open, transparent, and merit-based selection process that upheld the highest organisational standards in recruitment.

Mr Mbanga, who takes over from Mr Xolile George who was appointed as Secretary to Parliament in June 2022, brings with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise in many areas, including operations and strategic planning, and has extensive executivelevel experience in public sector governance.

Salga President, Bheke Stofile says, “Mr Mbanga joins SALGA at a pivotal moment in our organisation's evolution, as reflected in our 2022–2027 strategic plan which is prefaced against global, continental, national and local imperatives. We are confident that he will lead and provide the much needed strategic direction the organization needs and move the organization to greater heights.

Mr. Mbanga brings considerable experience to his new position, and his transformative and collaborative leadership style is consistent with SALGA's dedication to providing effective and efficient service to our member municipalities.

“I also want to express my gratitude to the SALGA executive leadership that provided the organisation with the necessary glue to keep SALGA together until a new CEO was chosen.

At such a crucial time, they went above and beyond a call of duty, and this is sincerely appreciated,” says Cllr. Stofile.

Under Mr Mbanga’s direction SALGA looks forward to building on its accomplishments, including 10 consecutive clean audits from the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA), an expansion of the organisation’s influence on continental and international decision-making forums, and providing SALGA member municipalities with services that enable them to carry out their developmental mandates.

In particular, SALGA looks up to Mr Mbanga’s leadership to use the solid organizational performance, especially in respect of audit outcomes, as a basis for facilitating improvement in municipal audit outcomes and strengthening local government to be better posed to accelerate service delivery. 

Mr Sithole Mbanga, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Creating a better future

through the way we do business

Developing and caring for our host communities

Caring for and supporting our environment

Creating value for all our stakeholders

Providing meaningful employment

PARKROAD POLICE STATION AND PARYS CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

BE FINALISED AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY" - MINISTER ZIKALALA

two projects and the workmanship on site surpassed the planned completion periods, but the projects are yet to be completed.

Minister Zikalala and MEC Mance were exceptionally perturbed by such developments, “it is for this reason that I have decided to accompany Minister Zikalala to these sites as he conducts oversight in the National Projects placed in our province, to really offer support and importantly to understand and instil a sense of accountability to the companies and persons that are appointed to conduct this work on behalf of government,” stated MEC Mance.

Two projects located in the Free State Province that are implemented by the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) were in the spotlight in June 2023.

The two projects in question were the Parys Correctional Facility and the Park Road Police Station in Bloemfontein. Free State MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Dibolelo Mance, accompanied the Minister for Public Works and

Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, on these sites to conduct oversight after it was reported that a set completion date was not yet envisaged.

“Minister Zikalala has prioritised unblocking the stalled projects and driving accountability as part of the efforts to turn around the public works and infrastructure sector and respond to service delivery needs,” read a statement from the Minister’s Office.

Allocated budgets were spent on the

“As public office bearers we are entrusted with the responsibility to make sure that, service delivery projects and service points are functioning well for our communities, so it can not be right that a police station and a correctional facility take more than the allocated time to be completed and when we request reasons, unsatisfactory responses are provided,” said Minister Zikalala.

The session ended with all in agreement that the two sites should be completed within the agreed extension time, and it was further advised that all related parties in these projects should enhance their liaison and relationship management endeavours. 

"TO

Over 75 Years of dedication to Local Industry!

A thriving manufacturing industry creates jobs and business opportunities, enables skills development and improves our competitiveness in global markets. A first step is procuring locally manufactured goods, this has obvious benefits for national competitiveness and economic growth.

SABS’ mandate is to provide standardisation, voluntary conformity assessment, and local content verification services to enable the achievement of the country's industrial, economic, and developmental objectives. Now more than ever our industry needs Quality Assurance through standardasation! Start your Certification journey today and Contact us!

SANS/ISO 50001 Energy Management.

For organisations committed to addressing their impact, conserving resources and improving the bottom line through efficient energy management, SANS/ISO 50001was developed.

Designed to support organisations in all sectors, this ISO/SANS standard provides a practical way to improve energy use, through the development of an energy management system (EnMS).

SANS/ISO 50001 is based on the management system model of continual improvement also used for other well-known standards such as SANS/ISO 9001 or SANS/ISO 14001. This makes it easier for organizations to integrate energy management into their overall efforts to improve quality and environmental management.

SABS provides services to assist the implementation of best practice solutions:

• Manage and develop South African National Standards

• Laboratory Testing Services for a diverse range of Products. Supporting of South African Manufacturing industry as well as Municipal delivery through: Testing of water quality, Testing/Certifying Water Meters, Smart Meters, and other products/systems.

• Certification of Companies to International Management System Standards such as SANS/ISO 50001, SANS/ISO 14001, SANS/ISO 45001, SANS/ISO 9001 and much more.

• Certification of Products and the Application of the SABS Mark Scheme.

• Training of Management and Employees on Implementations of SANS/ISO systems

• Local Content Verification for South African manufacturing industry

The National Fund for Municipal Workers (NFMW) has grown to be THE LARGEST FUND WITHIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT with a membership base of more than 56 000(employees and councillors) throughout South Africa and R27-billion in assets under management.

OUR MEMBERS ARE AT THE CENTRE OF WHAT WE DO, our decisions, our behaviours and the strategies that we employ in the management of the Fund. We pride ourselves in providing EXCELLENT SERVICE and the ADMINISTRATION COSTS ARE ONE OF THE LOWEST IN THE INDUSTRY, which translates to less of our members’ contributions going towards costs and more towards retirement savings.

Our EXCELLENT LONG-TERM INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE TRACK RECORD puts us on par with the best global balanced managed portfolios in South Africa and ahead of our peers in Local Government.

THE FUND HAS WON NUMEROUS INSTITUTE OF RETIREMENT FUNDS AFRICA BEST PRACTICES INDUSTRY AWARDS.

These awards are a testament to the Fund’s compliance with all regulatory and other statutory requirements and above all, recognition for setting the benchmark of excellence in Local Government.

INVESTED IN THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND FINANCIAL WELLNESS OF ALL OUR MEMBERS

The NFMW offers holistic personal financial planning, advice and retirement counselling, which include retirement planning, investment planning, estate planning and tax planning for all members. Our psychological and health wellness programme offered to our members and their immediate family members allows them access to a free and confidential health resource which provides counselling and support services in their personal life and at work. Living our vision of positively impacting the lives of our members, their families and their communities, today and tomorrow.

“Given our commitment to good governance, impactful investing with financially sound investment returns, care for our members and responsible leadership, value to our members is guaranteed”.

Leslie Ndawana, Chief and Principal Executive Officer of the National Fund for Municipal Workers

NEWS

DRAKENSTEIN MUNICIPALITY

Partners with Schneider Electric and Altek for sophisticated SCADA system

UGU DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY

Cllr Sikhumbuzo Isaac Mqadi elected as the new Mayor

LANGEBERG MUNICIPALITY

Introduces its new Municipal Manager

CITY OF CAPE TOWN

Progress made on the Sir Lowry’s Pass Village affordable housing project

MIDVAAL LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

Most financially sustainable municipality - second year in a row!

CAPRICORN AND WATERBERG DISTRICT MUNICIPALITIES

Receive a clean audit in the 2021-2022 financial year

WELCOME TO THE CITY OF MATLOSANA CITY OF PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

DRAKENSTEIN MUNICIPALITY Partners with Schneider Electric and Altek for sophisticated SCADA system

The City of Matlosana Municipality is situated approximately 164 km South West of Johannesburg, strategically located on the N12 Treasure Route, which is the North West Province’s primary tourism corridor.

The scenic N12 starts from Mpumalanga and is the gateway to the Western Cape Province. The route takes you from eMalahleni, to the vibrant Gauteng Province and the Sterkfontein Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, and continues to Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp, Kimberley, Beaufort West, up until George.

It is the Transformation of the N12 Treasure Route that has unlocked regional opportunities and resulted in massive activity and mobility along the Matlosana portion of the corridor. It has a multi-dimensional character that has created employment, enhanced commuter movement, enhanced investment opportunities, increased economic activity, etc.

WHY VISIT THE CITY OF MATLOSANA?

Create unforgettable memories at our quality business and leisure accommodation venues which include conferencing, wedding and spa facilities. The City has a wealth of attractions for visitors:

• Adventure tourism

• Wildlife tourism

• Medical tourism

• Wellness tourism

Create unforgettable memories at our quality business and leisure accommodation venues which include conferencing, wedding and spa facilities.

MATLOSANA AS A MEDICAL HUB

To us health care is of paramount importance as a healthy city is productive and constitutes prosperity. We boast well-developed medical facilities, which enhances and promotes the competitive advantage of Matlosana as a major Medical Hub in the North West Province. Services include: general and private medical fascilities, casualty/trauma and dental services. Most clinics focus on primary health care services.

The city prides itself on having five private hospitals, two government hospitals, including the largest state hospital in the North West Province and 15 clinics including mobile clinics. It also boasts the only fully contained oncology unit in the North West Province, which offers a comprehensive service at four pathological laboratories and has the latest MRI scanner at the radiology unit.

PRIME LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT

N12 Development Route was identified by the municipality as a flagship project for golden opportunities in the following sectors: housing, business, industrial, heritage, mining, tourism, sport as well as recreation.

AGRICULTURE

Drakenstein Municipality is currently partnering with global energy leader, Schneider Electric and system integrator partner Altek to upgrade its 25-year-old SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system to ETAP, a model-driven electrical SCADA software solution which is set to improve fault finding, maintenance and services.

Agriculture is one of the mainstays of Matlosana, which proudly boasts a region rich with agricultural potential. The emphasis is focused on field crops, such as maize, wheat, sorghum, sunflowers, etc... (climatically suitable with a 70% probability of production success).

communication network upgrade which now sees all its substations communicating through a wireless ethernet or a fibre backbone. The previous SCADA system only allowed for radio frequency (RF) communication.

“As a municipality, we will be well ahead of our peers. As ETAP’s software continues to evolve it will readily meet our ongoing system needs”

- Herman Rossouw, Senior Engineering Technician, Drakenstein Municipality.

Situated in the Cape Winelands District Municipality in the Western Cape, the municipality awarded Schneider Electric and implementation partner, Altek the contract following a rigorous tender process.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Aside from attracting investment, the N12 Treasure Route connects communities to the economic hub of Matlosana City. The improved road infrastructure changes the lives of the City’s citizens making it easier to access employment opportunities and other services.

SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

The ETAP SCADA solution met the requirements of the municipality, which ultimately aims to significantly improve fault finding, predictive and preventative equipment maintenance and overall customer service delivery. Moreover, the system needs to integrate with Drakenstein Municipality’s existing infrastructure and the GIS (geographic information system) mapping solution.

Shoppers can also be spoiled for choice between Matlosana Mall, City Mall, Flamwood Walk Shopping Mall, Tower Mall and other leading shopping centres in Matlosana.

The ETAP SCADA solution met the requirements of the municipality, and ultimately aims to significantly improve fault finding, predictive and preventative equipment maintenance and overall customer service delivery.

System ready

Before commencing with implementation of the ETAP SCADA solution, Drakenstein Municipality completed an eight-year

“We couldn’t embark on a SCADA upgrade before implementing a new communication backbone. Now, with our network fully operational we have started deploying the new SCADA system. As a municipality, we will be well ahead of our peers, and as ETAP’s software continues to evolve it will readily meet our ongoing system needs,” explains Herman Rossouw, Senior Engineering Technician at Drakenstein Municipality.

Feature-rich

Agriculture is one of the mainstays of Matlosana, which proudly boasts a region rich with agricultural potential. The emphasis is focused on field crops, such as maize, wheat, sorghum, sunflowers, etc...

“The ETAP SCADA offering is software-neutral which allows it to overcome integration and interoperability issues, thus saving on costly equipment upgrades and project delays,” says Dwibin Thomas, Cluster Automation Leader at Schneider Electric.

“The ETAP SCADA system offers so many exciting features such as live insight into switching operations that provides us with valuable information on current loads and what you can and cannot move or implement on the system in order to safeguard equipment,” says Leon Laing, Manager: Planning and Customer Services (Electro-Technical Services Department) at Drakenstein Municipality.

“Also, as it integrates with GIS, the ETAP system will be able to accurately pinpoint which customers are being affected by power failure which will allow us to drastically cut down on fault finding and turnaround times. The ETAP solution will also utilise Drakenstein Municipality’s communication backbone to provide remote access to operators, again improving on system monitoring. Moreover, it will provide preventative maintenance schedules which will mitigate potential equipment failure and costly repair”.

NATIONAL FRESH PRODUCE MARKET

The Market is the property of the City of Matlosana and was established in 1980 and it is ranked 8th out of 17 Fresh Markets in the country according to turnover.

With five Market agents, the market supplies customers as far as Botswana, Kimberly and Vryburg.

“With the ETAP systems’ digital twin technology we will also be able to simulate maintenance processes. The solution uses historical and current data to simulate maintenance and upgrades to the system. This will ensure that when we perform maintenance, no unnecessary unplanned system tripping will occur,” explains Rossouw.

CONTACT DETAILS

Address: Cnr Braamfisher & OR Tambo Streets, Klerksdorp

Tel: 018 487 8000/ 018 487 8800

Email: communications@ klerksdorp.org

CityofMatlosanaUpdates @MatlosanaCom

Cityofmatlosanamunicipal

The Drakenstein Municipality ETAP SCADA project is earmarked for completion by 2025. “When the project is complete, we hope to benefit from a sophisticated SCADA system that will not only deliver Return On Investment (ROI), but also enable us to react quicker to outages and failures, reducing fault finding and ultimately enhance customer experience,” says Laing.

WELCOME TO THE CITY OF MATLOSANA CITY OF PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

UGU DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY

Cllr Sikhumbuzo Isaac Mqadi elected as the new Mayor

The City of Matlosana Municipality is situated approximately 164 km

has created employment, enhanced commuter movement, enhanced investment opportunities, increased economic activity, etc.

In his inaugural speech at the Port Shepstone Civic Centre he said it is time for prolonged service delivery to be abolished.

“Today marks the beginning of a new journey where our communities should be put first at all costs. where all our efforts must be driven towards improving service delivery as well as creating a conducive environment for tourism, young entrepreneurs and businesspeople alike." The mayor said this required working together regardless of political affiliations to put people's needs first.

“We have to work diligently and collectively in providing service delivery to our people. We also have to work together to fight against the abuse of women and children. We need to ensure that our people have access to water and sanitation,” Mqadi said.

On 29 June 2023, Cllr Mqadi was sworn in under oath, unopposed before the full council sitting of the municipality. The new mayor is a seasoned leader who is no stranger to Ugu District communities. He understands the socio-economic struggles that face communities in the district as he too hails from the rural KwaXolo community, (Gcilima).

leisure accommodation venues which include conferencing, wedding and spa facilities.

WHY VISIT THE CITY OF MATLOSANA?

Create unforgettable memories at our quality business and leisure accommodation venues which include conferencing, wedding and spa facilities. The City has a wealth of attractions for visitors:

• Adventure tourism

• Wildlife tourism

• Medical tourism

• Wellness tourism

The position of mayor become vacant five months after the death of the former Mayor, Phumlile Mthiyane. Municipal Manage Dr Elliot Ntombela had also sadly passed on earlier this year.

Cllr Mqadi was fortunate to serve with both the previous Mayor and Municipal Manager as Councillor in the district and therefore understands the municipality's core function of improving service delivery to Ugu communities.

MATLOSANA AS A MEDICAL HUB

To us health care is of paramount importance as a healthy city is productive and constitutes prosperity. We boast well-developed medical facilities, which enhances and promotes the competitive advantage of Matlosana as a major Medical Hub in the North West Province. Services include: general and private medical fascilities, casualty/trauma and dental services. Most clinics focus on primary health care services.

Sikhumbuzo ‘Zero’ Mqadi said one of the municipality’s key areas of focus will be to ensure a clean and corrupt free administration.

The city prides itself on having five private hospitals, two government hospitals, including the largest state hospital in the North West Province and 15 clinics including mobile clinics. It also boasts the only fully contained oncology unit in the North West Province, which offers a comprehensive service at four pathological laboratories and has the latest MRI scanner at the radiology unit.

During the inauguration ceremony, IFP councillor Busi Machi, in congratulating the newly elected mayor said they hope that the mayor will address the issue of politicising the municipality.

On behalf of the DA, Cllr George Henderson said that the DA wished him well and acknowledging that he has a big job ahead of him.

PRIME LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT

N12 Development Route was identified by the municipality as a flagship project for golden opportunities in the following sectors: housing, business, industrial, heritage, mining, tourism, sport as well as recreation.

“We hope that he can bring the necessary changes that we all need to get water to our people and deliver proper services. We are behind you, we will support you as far as we

Mandla Chiya remains the Ugu District’s Deputy Mayor, and Sizwe Ngcobo is still the Speaker of Council.

AGRICULTURE

Agriculture is one of the mainstays of Matlosana, which proudly boasts a region rich with agricultural potential. The emphasis is focused on field crops, such as maize, wheat, sorghum, sunflowers, etc... (climatically suitable with a 70% probability of production success).

possibly can and we pray that you will have a good road ahead of you. We hope that God will bless and be with you during this difficult road you have to travel,” said Henderson.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Aside from attracting investment, the N12 Treasure Route connects communities to the economic hub of Matlosana City. The improved road infrastructure changes the lives of the City’s citizens making it easier to access employment opportunities and other services.

SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

Shoppers can also be spoiled for choice between Matlosana Mall, City Mall, Flamwood Walk Shopping Mall, Tower Mall and other leading shopping centres in Matlosana.

Mqadi pledges to speedily handle service-delivery issues “What has to happen now is to sharpen the tools of delivery for the municipality to meet the ever-increasing demand for delivering water to our people. Such a noble task cannot be executed by one man but it requires collective wisdom and efforts from all of us in this council. I call upon all councillors to work with us as we embark on a journey to stabilise and reposition this municipality. One of the key areas of focus is to ensure a clean and corrupt-free administration, we expect this council not to tolerate any action that contrasts with the mandate of this council,” the Mayor said.

The Mayor committed to remain focused on the revitalisation of water and sanitation infrastructure and development that supports structural transformation, growth, and job creation, in order to regain confidence from residents.

Agriculture is one of the mainstays of Matlosana, which proudly boasts a region rich with agricultural potential. The emphasis is focused on field crops, such as maize, wheat, sorghum, sunflowers, etc...

“We undertake to be a performancedriven council and to this end, I invite all staff led by the acting municipal manager to continue doing good work and double the efforts as we seek to increase the pace of serving our people. Let me indicate from the outset of my tenure as the Mayor,

my willingness to work together with all political parties and stakeholders – this will enable us to find workable solutions for the diverse range of developmental challenges facing our district,” he said.

He said even though there are challenges of ageing infrastructure, illegal water connections, loadshedding and an increase in demand for water, the municipality has provided its community with 70% of clean drinking water.

The Market is the property of the City of Matlosana and was established in 1980 and it is ranked 8th out of 17 Fresh Markets in the country according to turnover.

With five Market agents, the market supplies customers as far as Botswana, Kimberly and Vryburg.

Wrapping up his inaugural speech the Mayor was clear in saying, “Ugu district residents deserve only the best efforts from all of us whether you are in a political leadership position, management, and in all other positions within our administration.”

CONTACT DETAILS

Address: Cnr Braamfisher & OR Tambo Streets, Klerksdorp

Tel: 018 487 8000/ 018 487 8800

Email: communications@ klerksdorp.org

CityofMatlosanaUpdates @MatlosanaCom

Cityofmatlosanamunicipal

“Issues of performance management must be strengthened and excellence rewarded where it is due, and also consequence management where necessary,” – Mayor Mqadi

NATIONAL FRESH PRODUCE MARKET

LANGEBERG MUNICIPALITY

Introduces its new Municipal Manager

WELCOME TO THE CITY OF MATLOSANA CITY OF PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

government, I never imagined the journey it would take me on."

In 1992, Lubbe moved to KwaZuluNatal, where he worked on municipal changes that were at the forefront of a national effort to create "wall-to-wall municipalities." He explains, "There is not a piece of land in South Africa that does not fall under a municipality. Everyone worked towards it. And I had the privilege of being right in the forefront of this process."

SALGA's panel of consultants on local government. They then appointed him as National Lead Consultant on a number of local government assignments and he also trained municipal council members. He did it for three years and really enjoyed working in municipalities, big and small.

massive activity and mobility along the

Lubbe's experience in KwaZulu-Natal was one of his career highlights. "I learned all the time, it was really about what everyone planning for the future of the country," he says. "I worked with 330 council members, of which 66 were Amakhosi Zulu leaders. It was good times and good collaboration, and really prepared me for my profession going forward."

Create unforgettable memories at our quality business and leisure accommodation venues which include conferencing, wedding

After that, Lubbe moved from KZN to the Western Cape where he was with Matzikama Municipality as a Municipal Manager for about three years from 2017. Thereafter, he went to Theewaterskloof Municipality for a short contract as Municipal Manager until after the local government elections of November 2021.

WHY VISIT THE CITY OF MATLOSANA?

Meet our Municipal Manager, Mr Daniël Lubbe, a seasoned professional with 32 years of experience in local government who started at Langeberg Municipality on 1 March 2023. His journey began in 1990 when he joined a regional services council in the old Transvaal.

Create unforgettable memories at our quality business and leisure accommodation venues which include conferencing, wedding and spa facilities. The City has a wealth of attractions for visitors:

• Adventure tourism

• Wildlife tourism

• Medical tourism

Reflecting on his early career, Lubbe recalls, "I grew up in Pretoria and lived there for the first 27 years of my life. When I first started working in local

• Wellness tourism

and spa facilities.

MATLOSANA AS A MEDICAL HUB

Over the years, Lubbe progressed through the ranks, from chief administrative officer to assistant director, deputy director, director, deputy municipal manager and municipal manager. He admits that "nothing came easy," but he applied for every opportunity that came his way and was fortunate enough to land the job.

At the end of 2013, after working for some 22 years, for the district municipality in Richards Bay, he worked as a consultant at the South African Local Government Association (SALGA). He had the privilege of writing the National exams of SALGA, for all who wanted to serve on

To us health care is of paramount importance as a healthy city is productive and constitutes prosperity. We boast well-developed medical facilities, which enhances and promotes the competitive advantage of Matlosana as a major Medical Hub in the North West Province. Services include: general and private medical fascilities, casualty/trauma and dental services. Most clinics focus on primary health care services.

Mr. Lubbe's achievements include serving as Principal Officer to the European Union, overseeing the implementation of Economic Development Projects across municipal boundaries of the district and participating local municipalities. He was also appointed as the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup Strategic Readiness Manager, responsible for ensuring that the King Cetshwayo District Municipality (previously uThungulu District Municipality) acted as an official satellite to the Ethekwini Metro Municipality for hosting the 2010 event.

The city prides itself on having five private hospitals, two government hospitals, including the largest state hospital in the North West Province and 15 clinics including mobile clinics. It also boasts the only fully contained oncology unit in the North West Province, which offers a comprehensive service at four pathological laboratories and has the latest MRI scanner at the radiology unit.

PRIME LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT

"After the 2010 event, I successfully negotiated an anchor tenant for the stadium, the Thanda Royal Zulu, a 1st Division Soccer Team, which now utilized the facilities as its base and hosts championship matches at the stadium," says Mr. Lubbe.

N12 Development Route was identified by the municipality as a flagship project for golden opportunities in the following sectors: housing, business, industrial, heritage, mining, tourism, sport as well as recreation.

Treasure Route, which is the North West

CITY OF CAPE TOWN Progress made on the Sir Lowry’s Pass Village affordable housing project

AGRICULTURE

Agriculture is one of the mainstays of Matlosana, which proudly boasts a region rich with agricultural potential. The emphasis is focused on field crops, such as maize, wheat, sorghum, sunflowers, etc... (climatically suitable with a 70% probability of production success).

On Tuesday, 18 April 2023, the City of Cape Town handed over the first ten homes to qualifying beneficiaries of the R101 million Sir Lowry’s Pass Village affordable housing project.

The project will provide homes to 307 beneficiaries and their families and is expected to be completed in 2024, if all goes as planned.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Aside from attracting investment, the N12 Treasure Route connects communities to the economic hub of Matlosana City. The improved road infrastructure changes the lives of the City’s citizens making it easier to access employment opportunities and other services.

When handing over the first homes of the project, Alderman James Vos, the City’s acting mayoral committee member for human settlements said, “The Sir Lowry’s Pass Village affordable housing project is an example of our commitment to providing affordable opportunities to beneficiaries in all areas of the metro, which are close to economic opportunities and public transport hubs.”

SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

Shoppers can also be spoiled for choice between Matlosana Mall, City Mall, Flamwood Walk Shopping Mall, Tower Mall and other leading shopping centres in Matlosana.

Alderman Vos stated that progress on the flagship project was steady and that the City would hand over homes to other qualifying beneficiaries in the upcoming weeks, encouraging the communities, civic organisations and beneficiaries to continue collaborating with the City so that opportunities can be provided to beneficiaries as soon as possible.

True to form on the 24 July 2023, Breaking New Ground (BNG) homes were handed over to other qualifying beneficiaries!

“I am absolutely thrilled to be here again to hand over new homes in the Somerset West area. We handed over the first homes to qualifying

The emphasis is focused on field crops, such as maize, wheat, sorghum, sunflowers, etc...

beneficiaries in April this year and I am pleased to be back here to hand over more houses and to see the progress on site. This is a truly beautiful project and I am so proud of what our teams are achieving here,” said Alderman Vos.

“This project is a wonderful example of our commitment to providing affordable opportunities to beneficiaries across the metro, which are close to economic opportunities and public transport infrastructure.

Thank you to the contractors and City staff for their hard work here. We look forward to providing many more opportunities in the months to come.

country according to turnover.

With five Market agents, the market supplies customers as far as Botswana, Kimberly and Vryburg.

We call on our communities, civic organisations and beneficiaries to continue to work with us so that we can deliver more opportunities to our beneficiaries in the shortest possible time,' said Alderman James Vos, Acting Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements,” he elaborated.

Address: Cnr Braamfisher & OR Tambo Streets, Klerksdorp Tel: 018 487 8000/ 018 487 8800

The selection of beneficiaries for housing projects is done in accordance with the City's Allocation Policy and the City's Housing Database to ensure that housing opportunities are allocated to qualifying beneficiaries in a fair and equitable manner that prevents queue-jumping.

MIDVAAL

WELCOME TO THE CITY OF MATLOSANA CITY OF PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

Most financially sustainable municipalitysecond year in a row!

The City of Matlosana Municipality is situated approximately 164 km South West of Johannesburg, strategically located on the N12 Treasure Route, which is the North West Province’s primary tourism corridor.

The scenic N12 starts from Mpumalanga and is the gateway to the Western Cape Province. The route takes you from eMalahleni, to the vibrant Gauteng Province and the Sterkfontein Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, and continues to Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp, Kimberley, Beaufort West, up until George.

It is the Transformation of the N12 Treasure Route that has unlocked regional opportunities and resulted in massive activity and mobility along the Matlosana portion of the corridor. It has a multi-dimensional character that has created employment, enhanced commuter movement, enhanced investment opportunities, increased economic activity, etc.

WHY VISIT THE CITY OF MATLOSANA?

Midvaal Local Municipality in Meyerton, Gauteng, has been recognized as the most financially sustainable municipality in South Africa for the second consecutive year in a row by Ratings Afrika’s annual Financial Sustainability Index (MFSI).

The MFSI scoring model evaluates six financial components, scoring these components out of 100, viz:

1. the operating performance,

2. liquidity management,

Create unforgettable memories at our quality business and leisure accommodation venues which include conferencing, wedding and spa facilities. The City has a wealth of attractions for visitors:

3. debt governance,

4. budget practices,

• Adventure tourism

• Wildlife tourism

5. affordability

• Medical tourism

6. infrastructure development of a municipality

• Wellness tourism

quality business and leisure accommodation venues which include conferencing, wedding and spa facilities.

hospitals, including the largest

Ratings Afrika’s outcome was based after assessing 112 municipalities including the 8 metros in the financial year ending in June 2022.

The municipality tied with Saldanha Bay Local Municipalityin the Western Cape, both scoring a remarkable 72 out of 100! This is the second consecutive year that both municipalities are ranked as the most financially healthy in the country.

MATLOSANA AS A MEDICAL HUB

To us health care is of paramount importance as a healthy city is productive and constitutes prosperity. We boast well-developed medical facilities, which enhances and promotes the competitive advantage of Matlosana as a major Medical Hub in the North West Province. Services include: general and private medical fascilities, casualty/trauma and dental services. Most clinics focus on primary health care services.

Only three other local municipalities achieved a score of 70 or more on the index, all in the Western Cape. They are George with a score of 71, and Mossel Bay and Swartland (Malmesbury) each with a score of 70.

AGRICULTURE

Agriculture is one of the mainstays of Matlosana, which proudly boasts a region rich with agricultural potential. The emphasis is focused on field crops, such as maize, wheat, sorghum, sunflowers, etc... (climatically suitable with a 70% probability of production success).

Other Remarkable Achievements:

municipality will persist in its pursuit of financial excellence for the betterment of our

• Ranked the Best Performing Municipality in terms of Service Delivery Satisfaction in the 2018 GCRO survey.

toclean the environment and for infrastructure development.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

The financially sustainable municipalities are attributed to:

• Sound long-term financial strategies

• W ell entrenched financial polic ies

• G ood budgetary practi ces – selffunded operating and capital budget

Aside from attracting investment, the N12 Treasure Route connects communities to the economic hub of Matlosana City. The improved road infrastructure changes the lives of the City’s citizens making it easier to access employment opportunities and other services.

• Ranked as the top performing municipality in Gauteng in the 2018 Annual Municipal Financial Sustainability Index compiled by Ratings Afrika.

• Ranked as the top performing municipality in Gauteng in the 2015 Annual Municipal Financial Sustainability Index compiled by Ratings Afrika.

• Ranked as the top performing municipality in Gauteng in the 2014 Annual Municipal Financial Sustainability Index compiled by Ratings Afrika.

• Stri ct financial cont rol and discipline

SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

• Good revenue colle ction that is close to 96%

Shoppers can also be spoiled for choice between Matlosana Mall, City Mall, Flamwood Walk Shopping Mall, Tower Mall and other leading shopping centres in Matlosana.

Rand West Municipality in Randfontein and Westonaria was listed as among those municipalities with extremely low financial stability.

Mangaung and Tshwane in Gauteng were the lowest scoring metros, both with a score of only 24 in 2022.

Commenting on the outcome, Midvaal Local Municipality’s Mayor Peter Teixeira said: “The municipality will persist in its pursuit of financial excellence for the betterment of our residents.”

• Received three awards from PMR. africa for the following categories in 2017: most proactive mayor; municipalities doing the most for job creation, social upliftment and to fight crime; municipalities doing the most to attract foreign investment, to attract local investment,

Agriculture is one of the mainstays of Matlosana, which proudly boasts a region rich with agricultural potential. The emphasis is focused on field crops, such as maize, wheat, sorghum,

NATIONAL FRESH PRODUCE MARKET

The Market is the property of the City of Matlosana and was established in 1980 and it is ranked 8th out of 17 Fresh Markets in the country according to turnover.

Ratings Afrika proposed that government provide a bailout of R65 billion to prevent a total collapse of municipalities and meet their financial obligations.

With five Market agents, the market

“The

residents.”

- Mayor Peter Teixeira

WELCOME TO THE CITY OF MATLOSANA CITY OF PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

CAPRICORN AND WATERBERG DISTRICT MUNICIPALITIES

Receive a clean audit in the 2021-2022 financial year

The City of Matlosana Municipality is situated approximately 164 km

“I am always happy to see the AG in our offices. They know over the years that they are always welcome. For us to be a democracy we need structures like the AG that are independent to ensure that our democracy thrives. This is good practice, and it is always good to multiply this,” said the Premier.

The Limpopo Business Unit Leader of the AG, Mr. Stephen Kheleli, highlighted the significance of clean administration and how it happens during difficult times. He noted that clean administration is not achieved only during the audit process, but throughout the financial year.

The Executive Mayor of Capricorn District Municipality, Cllr Mamedupi Teffo, expressed her excitement for the award and credited the hardworking team of councillors and administrators who ensured that systems were in place to maintain the clean audit.

Cllr Teffo noted that the pressure is on to maintain the clean audit, and their goal is to push local municipalities to improve their audit outcomes. The recognition of Capricorn Municipality’s clean audit achievement inspires hope and demonstrates that it is possible for local government structures to discharge their responsibilities successfully.

commuter movement, enhanced investment opportunities, increased economic activity, etc.

WHY VISIT THE CITY OF MATLOSANA?

Capricorn and Waterberg District Municipalities received clean audit awards on 30 May 2023 from the Auditor-General. Premier of Limpopo, Mr Chupu Stanley Mathabatha oversaw the presentation of the clean audit awards that was held at the Office of the Premier in Polokwane.

Create unforgettable memories at our quality business and leisure accommodation venues which include conferencing, wedding and spa facilities. The City has a wealth of attractions for visitors:

• Adventure tourism

• Wildlife tourism

• Medical tourism

• Wellness tourism

Premier Mathabatha expressed his pleasure in seeing independent institutions such as the AuditorGeneral in their offices acknowledging good work, and he noted that having structures such as the AG is crucial for a thriving democracy.

He stated that, “We do not want the noise about clean administration to end, for many reasons. Clean administration happens at difficult times, it happens in municipal space that is highly contested, space that is close to the citizens.

Create unforgettable memories at our quality business and leisure accommodation venues which include

conferencing, wedding and spa facilities.

"Municipalities work within the context of hopelessness and frustrations of citizens that are legitimate. That is why where we see a glimmer of hope we want to make noise about it.”

Cllr Morris Mataboge of Waterberg District Municipality highlighted the hard work and commitment of both councillors and administration in stabilising the financial administration of the district. He expressed gratitude for the political leadership's oversight role and the support they received from provincial departments.

MATLOSANA AS A MEDICAL HUB

To us health care is of paramount importance as a healthy city is productive and constitutes prosperity. We boast well-developed medical facilities, which enhances and promotes the competitive advantage of Matlosana as a major Medical Hub in the North West Province. Services include: general and private medical fascilities, casualty/trauma and dental services. Most clinics focus on primary health care services.

The city prides itself on having five private hospitals, two government hospitals, including the largest state hospital in the North West Province and 15 clinics including mobile clinics. It also boasts the only fully contained oncology unit in the North West Province, which offers a comprehensive service at four pathological laboratories and has the latest MRI scanner at the radiology unit.

Mr Kheleli congratulated both Municipalities for consistently upholding accountability, thus achieving a clean audit. He also commended the Provincial Treasury and the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG), Human Settlements (DHS), and Traditional Affairs (DTA) for helping the municipalities.

Cllr Mataboge emphasised that their responsibility is to give support to the local municipalities, and they have already started assisting local municipalities in doing their annual financial statements.

PRIME LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT

N12 Development Route was identified by the municipality as a flagship project for golden opportunities in the following sectors: housing, business, industrial, heritage, mining, tourism, sport as well as recreation.

The recognition of Capricorn and Waterberg District Municipalities' clean audit achievements inspires hope and demonstrates that it is possible for local government structures to exist and discharge their responsibilities.

The Executive Mayor of Capricorn District Municipality, Cllr Mamedupi Teffo

Follow these steps to obtain a Safety Permit:

The Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) Act 16 of 2002 (as amended) requires all operators, including municipalities with railway sidings, to apply for a safety permit issued by the RSR. To apply for a safety permit operators must follow these simple steps:

Applicants must have an Interface Agreement with Transnet.

RSR to arrange for a meeting with applicant to discuss their business intentions.

Applicants must send an email to (safetypermitsadmin@rsr. org.za and Cc: louisam@ rsr.org.za ) to get the requirements of the Safety Management System.

Applicants must register on the National Information Monitoring System (NIMS)

Applicants must pay a non-refundable safety permit application fee.

The applicant shall submit the application through, NIMS.

The RSR shall evaluate the safety permit application.

The permit fee is then calculated, and an invoice is issued.

The applicant will be required to pay the safety permit fee within 30 days of being issued an invoice by the Regulator.

The applicant will be issued with a Safety Permit.

The operator is expected to manage their Safety Management System. The RSR shall conduct regular audits and inspection to ensure compliance.