CHRIS HANI DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY: New mayor commits to champion service delivery

Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) newly elected executive mayor, Lusanda Sizani has hit the ground running and developed a 100 Days in Office working programme that seeks to overhaul the provision of water and sanitation to communities in the district. His election took place at a Special Council meeting in Komani on 8th September 2023.

Recently Sizani was elected unopposed as ANC regional chairperson, the highest political office in the district, during a regional general council, and this paved his way to the mayoral seat, taking over the reigns from Wongama Gela without any opposition. Gela resigned with effect from 31 August, and now occupies the position of Chief of Staff in MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe’s office for Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture.

In his maiden address, Sizani committed to the smooth running of Chris Hani District Municipality, promising to champion service delivery.

Speaking of his immediate plans for the municipality, the Mayor stated, “In anticipation of being given this responsibility, I sat with the municipal manager, Gcobani Mashiyi and we drafted a 100-day working plan. The plan will focus, in the main, on water and sanitation provision. It will also focus on revenue collection through the installation of smart meters. Job creation and health services will also be improved.”

With concern for the water challenges faced by the communities, the new mayor said no effort will be spared to ensure communities get the best services.

“We will provide clean water without interruptions. The requests from local municipalities for us to cart water to them will come to an end. Local municipalities will focus on road construction, housing, and other responsibilities. We will improve water and sanitation infrastructure and clear all sewerage spillages, but we ask the communities to work with us and protect the infrastructure, "We will champion service delivery to ensure that much-needed services are delivered to our people. As the collective, we must function effectively and always put people first irrespective of our political affiliations,” said Sizani.

In addition to declaring Tuesdays as water days with a particular focus on water services provision across the district, Sizani said that he would prioritise the interests of the youth with an emphasis on job

creation, and look for a socio-economic turn-around in the district by developing SMMEs.

In concluding, Sinzani said he has full confidence in the collective capabilities of the councillors and administrative workers and was reassuring in his assertion that the district would work to improve service delivery to all residents in a way that would positively impact their livelihoods and businesses.

“The plan will focus, in the main, on water and sanitation provision. It will also focus on revenue collection through the installation of smart meters. Job creation and health services will also be improved.” - Executive Mayor Lusanda