MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMMUNITIES PLEASED WITH CHANGE IN MNQUMA
Ngqamakhwe, Mnquma LM, 09 April 2015
As Amathole District Municipality (ADM) public hearings on the Draft Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Budget Framework took off in Mnquma and Mbhashe on Thursday the 09th of April 2015, representatives from 16 wards of Mnquma Local Municipality were pleased with ‘evident’ change in their living conditions. The two sessions marked the first round of the 2015 public hearings, a third review of ADM’s five year strategic plan since 2011. A Draft IDP and Budget Framework were tabled to a packed Ngqamakhwe Town Hall. The hearings coincide with Imbizo Focus Week, another government’s commitment to deepen democracy, public participation and active citizenry while embracing government’s call to work together in “moving South Africa forward.”
The public hearings are in keeping with Chapter 4 & 5 of the Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 as amended, which encourage and create conditions for the local community to participate in the affairs of the municipality, including the preparation, implementation and review of IDP and Budget.
Nosamkelo Maphuthuma of ward 13 in Ndakana said: “At ward 13 we have toilets, water, electricity and I am more than certain that not a single one at ward 13 will not receive a toilet structure,” before receiving overwhelming applause from the crowd.
Maphuthuma’s views were quickly echoed by one proud Mzukisi Ngalo who thanked ADM for continuously engaging with communities and creating better living conditions for all. “Our living conditions have changed for the better and what gives us hope is ADM commitment to do more. To those who have not yet witnessed this change, we are more than hopeful that the work of government continues and nothing will stop it,” Ngalo said.
The Integrated Development Plan public hearings are considered the biggest public participation platforms out of which a master plan that gives the overall framework for the development of programmes and/or projects is developed, for the benefit of communities. The exercise gives credence to local government public participation while deepening democracy, transparency and accountability.
Acting Executive Mayor and Portfolio Head for Strategic Planning and Management Cllr Mbulelo Bikitsha told communities that a lot has been done and government is committed to address all backlogs but this required a “patience and collective action” as it takes government time to realise a complete package of service delivery.
“We are pleased to hear our communities showing confidence in the government of the day. We fully understand the frustrations some of them have that are a result of some of the backlogs that still exist in Amathole. We are resolute in our quest to address all the backlogs in the district, all we are asking for is patience and working together,” Bikitsha said.
The following were among a list of milestones Bikitsha highlighted:
• The proportion of Amathole households with access to piped water has increased since 2001 from 112 400 households (48.6%) to 166 600 households (70.1% of households) in 2011;
• Amathole households with access to a flushing toilet has increased from 29 000 households in 2001 to 41 300 households in 2011;
• Full eradication of bucket system in all formal areas. In 2015/16 ADM is set to develop a policy on the temporary/alternative service provision to informal settlements and farms as zoning challenges have adversely stifled eradication of the bucket system in informal settlements and farms
• Over R56 million has been set aside for Mnquma Local Municipality to address water and sanitation backlogs in 2015/16.
To ensure financial viability of a municipality that receives a total of 62% in granting funding, ADM also announced a proposed tariff increase of only 6%. The increase is in line with the average inflation and the maximum growth set by National Treasury.
Bikitsha did not shy away from some of the service delivery challenges that are still confronting ADM. He said ADM is still faced with challenges such as aging water infrastructure, sanitation backlogs, access to electricity and illegal water connections.
ADM’s next stop will be at Middeldrift Town Hall in Nkonkobe and Ncumisa Kondlo in Ngqushwa. The sessions will run concurrently from 11h00 tomorrow morning (Friday, 10 April 2015).
NB: Members of the media are cordially invited to attend cover the public hearings
Issued by ADM Communications and Customer Care Unit.
For further enquiries, please contact Senior Manager: Communications and Customer Care Siyabulela Makunga on 072 768 0238 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
You may also visit www.amathole.gov.za for more details on the ADM IDP-Budget Road-shows.