CITY OF TSHWANE NEW MAYOR @KASIBCNEWS

CITY OF TSHWANE NEW MAYOR @KASIBCNEWS

The National Working Committee of the African National Congress gave a final go-ahead to the team led by the Secretary General to conclude negotiations on the election of a new Mayor of the City of Tshwane. 

The election of the Executive Mayor will take place today, Wednesday 9 October 2024. This process follows a successful motion of no-confidence against the then Mayor, Celliers Brink. The motion of no-confidence was brought by the ANC with the support of seven other parties on the basis of high levels of dissatisfaction with the state of the City. Since the DA took over Tshwane in 2016, the Capital City has experienced a dramatic and sustained deterioration with regard to governance and service delivery to communities. 

Eight years of DA-led coalitions and five Mayors have achieved nothing other than driving the Capital City to the brink of administrative collapse. The City of Tshwane is a shadow of its former self. Across the Capital City, service delivery has ground to a standstill. 

The people in the townships are left to fend for themselves as if there no local government. In the spirit of the Government of National Unity, the ANC initiated engagements with all parties represented in the City of Tshwane on how we can collaborate to create political and administrative stability and focus on re-igniting service delivery and inclusive socioeconomic development in the Capital City. 

The ANC National Working Committee emphasised that, as the largest party in the metro, the ANC bears the greatest responsibility to bring together all parties that are both willing and able to contribute to restoring Tshwane into a clean, functioning and thriving Capital City that works for all residents and businesses, including providing efficient services to the many foreign diplomatic missions, national government departments and universities located in Tshwane. 

The National Working Committee is deeply concerned about the financial position of the City and further directed that national and provincial government should take the necessary steps to work with the leadership of the City to stabilise finances and address pressing service delivery issues and stimulate the local economy. A financial and service delivery recovery plan should be adopted within four weeks. 

The ANC has extensively discussed the calibre of the team that should be drawn from different parties to take the Capital City on a new path of financial recovery and inclusive service delivery that leaves no community behind. There should be no doubt that the ANC would have wanted to provide a candidate for the Mayor, as the largest party. 

We made it clear to all parties, as we did during the setting of the Government of National Unity, we will not allow any party to make unreasonable demands or dictate terms on the matter of setting up of the new coalition government in the Capital City. The ANC has tried to bring on board all the parties to co-operate in forming a functional viable and inclusive government of local unity in Tshwane. But a “Brink-or-nothing” approach will never work. 

Most parties expressed willingness to be flexible in negotiations and move beyond narrow party-political interests. Action SA leadership painstakingly explained to the ANC that their proposal was not a “Nasiphi Moya-or-nothing”. After extensive engagement on the calibre of the candidate and the tight timeframes we have to sort out the problems, the ANC agreed to support the candidature of the current Acting Mayor, Cllr Dr Nasiphi Moya. 

This is based on the strength of her experience and qualifications. We appeal to the people of Tshwane to support Cllr Dr Nasiphi Moya and the new leadership team that is putting the Capital City on a new path of better governance, service delivery and inclusive growth. As the largest party in the Council, the ANC remains the Leader of the multi-party coalition government that will be established in Tshwane over the next few days. Once the Mayor is elected and the new Mayoral Committee is appointed, work will immediately begin with the Executive Mayor, in expediting service delivery and turning the fortunes of the City around, which includes improving governance.   

President Cyril Ramaphosa mourns the passing of Pastor Ray McCauley @KASIBCNEWS

President Cyril Ramaphosa mourns the passing of Pastor Ray McCauley @KASIBCNEWS

President Cyril Ramaphosa has learned with sadness of the passing of Pastor Raynor “Ray” McCauley, founder of the Rhema Bible Church and former Co-Chair of the National Interfaith Council of South Africa.

The President offers his deep condolences to Mrs Zelda McCauley, Pastor Ray’s children, the extended family and the large community of the Rhema Bible Church.

Pastor McCauley has passed away at the age of 75 years.

President Ramaphosa said: “Pastor Ray’s passing leaves our deeply spiritual nation bereft of a remarkable leader whose impressive legacy lives on in the faith of hundreds of thousands of believers within and beyond the Rhema community.

“May his soul rest in peace.”

SOWETO UPRISING AGAINST FOREIGNERS SPAZA SHOPS @KASIBCNEWS

 

SOWETO UPRISING AGAINST FOREIGNERS SPAZA SHOPS @KASIBCNEWS 

MEC MAILE CALLS FOR CALM IN SOWETO  MEC of Finance and Economic Development Lebogang Maile will visit Soweto this weekend to interact with spaza shop owners and informal traders.  MEC Maile has received disturbing reports to the effect that the residents of Naledi / Tladi, in Soweto, are destroying, shutting down and looting foreign-owned spaza shops .  "I will visit the affected areas (Soweto) this coming weekend to interact with spaza shop owners and informal traders", said MEC Maile.  MEC Maile has urged the community to remain calm and desist from taking the law into their own hands, in response to the tragedy that befell school learners who died after allegedly consuming contaminated snacks. 

"We don't want lawlessness in Gauteng and people should not take the law into their own hands. We will intensify the Qondis' Ishishini Lakho – Fix Your Business campaign, as a powerful instrument to crack down on non-complaint businesses across the province, especially in Townships ", continued MEC Maile.  The MEC launched the compliance campaign in Thembisa last month to encourage businesses to comply with consumer laws and regulations. 

This ongoing multi-stakeholder compliance campaign ensures that all possible areas of non-compliance are monitored and flagged in our communities. Compliance notices are issued and fines are levied against businesses that are found to be violating consumer laws and health regulations. MEC Maile has reaffirmed ANC-led provincial government of local unity will continue to support township-based SMMEs, as part of the government’s plan of transforming the ownership and control patterns of Gauteng's economy, and of restoring the dignity of our historically marginalised and excluded Black majority. 

LIMPOPO AND GAUTENG HIGHSPEED RAIL LINK @KASIBCNEWS

LIMPOPO AND GAUTENG HIGHSPEED RAIL LINK @KASIBCNEWS

The Limpopo and Gauteng Provincial Governments, led by Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba and Premier Mr Panyaza Lesufi, convened a strategic meeting today to advance plans for the proposed high-speed rail network linking Limpopo and Gauteng. 

The meeting took place at the Euphoria Golf Estate & Hydro in Mookgophong, Waterberg, on 09 October 2024. A key outcome of the meeting was the approval of the implementation protocol document by both Premiers, marking a significant milestone in the project’s development. 

The meeting also initiated the process for the nomination and appointment of a Joint Project Manager, confirmed the cost-sharing mechanism and proposed the budget for the prefeasibility study. Additionally, both provinces agreed to engage in joint consultations with the Ministries of Finance, Transport, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Trade, Industry and Competition, and the Presidency to secure buy-in for the project. 

A Political Oversight Committee will also be appointed to ensure effective governance and oversight. Premier Panyaza Lesufi emphasised the importance of collaboration, stating: “We are of the view that the economies of the two provinces are beginning to merge, and we must find ways of harnessing this growth. 

This is not a vision of one province; it is a joint vision that is driven from all angles. Together, we can create a seamless transport network that will benefit our citizens and businesses alike.” 

The Gauteng-Limpopo Rail Link Project is set to be incorporated into the Medium-Term Development Plan, marking a crucial step toward enhancing inter-provincial connectivity and economic collaboration. The high-speed train promises substantial commercial and economic benefits, including reduced travel times, improved trade routes, and accelerated regional development. 

It will position both Limpopo and Gauteng as pivotal economic hubs, facilitating seamless travel for businesses, commuters, and tourists. By making travel between cities more efficient and accessible, this project is expected to attract investment, open new markets, and support the growth of businesses across various sectors. 

Premier of Limpopo, Dr Phophi Ramathuba remarked: “This meeting is a pivotal moment, where we have reached consensus on key principles and practical steps. The realisation of this project will not only create jobs but will transform our cities with high-speed rail stations that will become dynamic hubs of economic activity, stimulating urban development, and increasing property values. 

We are committed to making this vision a reality for the benefit of all our people.” As part of the way forward, especially after meetings with national departments, the project managers will schedule meetings with stakeholders like traditional leaders, taxi industry and other critical stakeholders to make the project people centred. 

The delegation from both provinces included Members of the Executive Council, Directors General, Heads of Departments, Chief Executive Officers, and other senior government officials, all dedicated to the successful implementation of this transformative project.