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GET TO KNOW THE NEW MAYOR OF EKURHULENI
Born and bred in eastern metro of Gauteng, the new mayor of the city of Ekurhuleni is neither new to politics nor new to the politics of the metro.
Mayor Nkosindiphile Doctor Xhakaza comes from humble beginnings.
Raised in the Lebeong Section of Thembisa, he pursued his education at Inxiweni Primary School and later at Masiqhakaze Secondary School.
He later went on to further his studies and received a National Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting (Cum Laude) from the Vaal University of Technology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management from Regenesys.
His career in public service began in 2011 as a PR Councillor in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipaliy, where he later became the Deputy Chief Whip for the ANC Caucus, contributing significantly to municipal affairs and service delivery.
Xhakaza has played a pivotal role on several crucial Section 79 committees, including the Transport Planning and Provision Oversight and the Oversight Committee on the Mayor’s Office and Legislature, where he monitored institutional and governance performance. As the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Water and Energy, and subsequently for Finance, Economic Development, and ICT, Xhakaza steered strategic initiatives targeting critical infrastructure and financial health.
His leadership contributed to significant milestones, such as receiving a Clean Audit Opinion for the 2019/2020 financial year.
More recently, in his roles as leader of Executive Business and MMC for Corporate and Shared Services and Service Delivery Coordination, Xhakaza has been dedicated to driving operational enhancements, fostering economic expansion, and upholding clean governance. His efforts are consistently supported by a steadfast dedication to social justice and a commitment to excellence in service delivery.
It goes beyond doubt that Mayor Xhakaza brings a wealth of experience and a strong leadership background to his role as the Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni.
City of Ekurhuleni State of the City Address (SOCA)
On Tuesday 30 April 2024, just two weeks after assuming office, Mayor Xhakaza delivered his maiden State of the City Address (SOCA).
“This State of the City Address is delivered 30 years into our democracy. Therefore, this speech must give fresh hope to the millions of people who have continuously looked up to us to deliver a better life for all the citizens of Ekurhuleni.
“As we reflect on the past 30 years as a country, we must take the best lessons forward and demonstrate that we have learnt from our past,” the mayor said.
He was elected mayor under very trying circumstances, that go in line with his view of ‘having been tested in the fire of politics’ because the coalition that that he emerged to lead spent days debating and thrashing out agreements on how to take the metro forward.
Reflecting on the complications of the coalition in his speech Mayor Xhakaza said: “It is an honour that I share with the Multi-Party Coalition Government of the City of Ekurhuleni. This unique moment in history is one we don't take for granted. Our coalition is as diverse as the communities we serve. It comprises of representation from the Democratic Alliance, Action SA, the Inkatha Freedom Party, the Congress of the People, the African Christian Democratic Party, the Freedom Front Plus and the Patriotic Alliance.
It gives us a distinct advantage in understanding the real challenges facing communities across the city. As a result, we are well placed to resolve the service delivery and financial quagmire we encountered when we acceded to office barely four months ago. That understanding will be reflected in the programmes and priorities we lay out today.”
Facing challenges head-on
In his typical straight talk and nononsense approach, the mayor of Ekurhuleni acknowledged the financial woes plaguing the metro and committed to the coalition’s plans to ‘pull out all stops’ in its service delivery drive.
“I have chosen the theme for the first State of the City Address of this administration: "Back to Basics for Service Delivery and Inclusive Growth”, Mayor Xhakaza explained. He added: “Our priorities under this theme can be summarised in nine points, drawn heavily on our Coalition Administration:
1. Giving residents back their power by helping to reduce their vulnerability to Eskom load shedding; enhance access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity.
2. Ensuring that every community has access to reliable, clean, running water, that is safe to drink and to prepare food; that we modernise water management and prevent untreated wastewater contaminating the environment.
3. Investing in safe, reliable, affordable public transport; well-maintained roads; and infrastructure renewal with measures to safeguard infrastructure from vandalism and theft.
4. Ensuring there is a hygienic environment to live and play, delivered through effective waste collection and waste disposal, working landfill sites, the implementation of recycling programmes through reclaiming of untidy public parks and cemeteries.
5. Promoting housing options, ensuring more people own their homes by receiving their valid title deeds.
6. Being tough on crime and tougher on the causes of crime by investing in localised law enforcement.
7. Minimising the risks which lead to poor health, respond effectively to health emergencies, and promote the resilience of communities through effective disaster risk management.
8. Regaining the financial stability of the city by ensuring good governance.
9. Using Back to Basics service delivery as a foundation to bringing in investment and jobs to the local economy by making it easier to do business within the municipality.
The Mayor’s view on returning back to the basics of service delivery received numerous accolades from most of the Coalition Partners.
One of the leading Coalition members said: “I wish to commend the mayor on embracing our principles of Back to Basics, I cannot help but notice the legacy and blueprint for good governance and the vision of the multiparty coalition woven through.”
“We welcome the Mayor’s 'tough stance' on crime and corruption,” another member said.
Another one added: “It is great to note that the Mayor’s commitments are not his alone, but those of both the coalition and the IDP process – and if we stick to them, the city will move forward."
Focus on job creation and skills development
The city aims to create 16,000 jobs and maximize youth skills development for 4,300 young people. The establishment of the Ekurhuleni Skills and Bursary Fund, in partnership with SETA and the private sector, is underway. This initiative includes:
• Creating 8,000 opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme.
• Training 1,000 community members through Seta and Gauteng Provincial programs.
• Providing vocational skills training to 1,200 community members.
Fighting unemployment
Mayor Xhakaza continued: “To create employment opportunities we want to make it ‘easier to do business’ with and in the city, we are hopeful that the electronic processing of all development applications and process will soon be available on an online platform. Our grand objective is to, by the end of the political term in 2026, have facilitated at least R50bn of investment into the City of Ekurhuleni.
“In this government I am Honoured to lead, it is clear that political stability will be the cornerstone for the remainder of the current term of office, which will be characterised by quality, sustained and equitable service delivery." - Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza
“Our approach will be to improve investor relations, re-engineer and optimise investment transmission and decision-making. We will do this by empowering the Ekurhuleni Investment
Committee with preliminary decisionmaking powers and investigate the conversion of existing structures into VIP desks for prestige development projects.”
He added:” We also plan to initiate an Online Investment Facilitation system. Our targets for the next financial year are to create 10 000 work opportunities, R100m in grant funding, R24m in rental revenue through municipal trading places and the empowerment of 500 SMMEs and cooperatives.”
“The Multi Party Coalition has also resolved that the City of Ekurhuleni must commence reviews of the Aerotropolis Initiative, the Economic Development Strategy and the Growth and Development Strategy 2055 for any updates that are required.”
A working Coalition
Mayor Xhakaza concluded: "The road ahead will not be an easy one. Multi-Party Coalition Governance is not an easy form of democracy. It requires teamwork, patience, and resilience. It will require us to fight for the idea of a government that works for its residents.
“Such a turning point in history, reminds me of the inspirational words of the late anti-apartheid activist, Helen Suzman who once said: "I stand for simple justice, equal opportunity, and human rights. The indispensable elements in democratic society – and well worth fighting for."
“Our Multi-Party Coalition wants this city to work. And that's how we get the city moving forward. I want this city to work.”
