Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda of the City of Johannesburg expressed deep concern over the dire living conditions at Diepkloof hostel during his recent visit, following prolonged service delivery protests.
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Accompanied by members of the Municipal Management Committees (MMCs) and city officials, the mayor assured residents that the municipality is committed to addressing their pressing service delivery issues.
The visit comes on the heels of a series of protests in the area, where residents have been demanding improved access to electricity, as well as effective solutions to water and sanitation challenges.
In an effort to gain firsthand insight into their daily struggles, community leaders guided the mayor on a comprehensive tour of the hostel.
Following the tour, Mayor Gwamanda took the opportunity to address residents at the community hall, providing assurances that their service delivery concerns would be promptly and efficiently addressed.
He emphasised that the forthcoming financial year, commencing in July 2023 would see significant attention and resources dedicated to tackling these issues.
Despite the cold weather, numerous residents braved the elements to meet the mayor and express their grievances. Gwamanda acknowledged the deteriorating state of infrastructure in South Africa, particularly in Johannesburg, and recognised the absence of even the most basic services that communities are entitled to.
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The mayor expressed regret that his visit was necessitated by demonstrations, implying that such actions were the only means through which the community felt their concerns would be heard.
He affirmed the municipality’s commitment to responding to the needs of its people with dignity.
During his visit, discussions were held with the leadership of the Diepkloof hostel, resulting in agreements being reached regarding the initial phase of the response.
Gwamanda confirmed that city officials had provided assurances and demonstrated a strong commitment to diligently implementing these agreements.
While acknowledging the urgency of other critical matters such as the housing backlog and infrastructure refurbishment, the mayor indicated that intergovernmental discussions would be necessary to address these complex challenges effectively.
He clarified that certain services required extended beyond the city’s jurisdiction, necessitating collaboration between various levels of government.
Gwamanda underscored that the city had allocated a substantial budget not only for the Diepkloof hostel but also for the refurbishment of other hostels across the City of Johannesburg.
With the upcoming financial year commencing on 1 July 2023, the mayor announced an allocated budget exceeding R120 million specifically dedicated to refurbishment efforts.
“The current administration is fully committed to prioritizing the services our people deserve, ensuring that they are delivered with the utmost dignity,” Mayor Gwamanda stated, emphasising the importance of meeting the needs of the community.