“I HAVE made it clear that rejuvenating the inner city and getting Johannesburg back on track as a hub of investment and opportunity will be a central focus,” promises the newly elected City of Joburg Speaker, Nobuhle Mthembu.
The ActionSA member in good standing, also promised to look in the controversial R200 surcharge imposed on Johannesburg’s residents as example of her advocacy.
At age (37) she is the youngest to ascend to this highest position, in the City that is the prime economic center of Africa. She is the third Speaker in two years’.
On the surcharge, she said it was “a burden on an already overstretched population,” and she led efforts to push back against it, reflecting her focus on the welfare of the city’s inhabitants.
Mthembu, also promised to promised to “suffocate corruption, lawlessness, mismanagement, and ineptitude” that is plaguing service delivery in the City and SA.
Armed with BCom degree in Taxation, she brings both academic and practical expertise to her political roles. Additionally, her career in the Johannesburg Council includes a tenure on the Section 79 Committee on Human Settlements, where she played a key role in addressing housing issues.
During her acceptance speech, Mthembu said her election marked a new era and her tenure would focus on restoring the City to its former glory, where service delivery would take centre stage.
“This is an era in which we will instil a culture of accountability and transparency, and where, at every turn, we will work together to ensure that the best interests of our residents anchor our efforts.
“We are in rebuilding mode, and the residents of Johannesburg simply cannot be expected to wait any longer for the effective delivery of front-line services – from reliable electricity and water to functional traffic lights, refuse removal, and pothole repairs.
“I have made it clear that rejuvenating the inner city and getting Johannesburg back on track as a hub of investment and opportunity will be a central focus,” she said.
Mthembu said it cannot be business as usual for the City not to deliver for its people.
She committed to pursuing every effort to ensure that this Council puts in the hard work needed to deliver a City that functions for its residents.
“The residents of the City can be confident that my office will function solely to protect and advance their interests, ensuring that this new administration represents a much-needed shift towards stabilising governance and prioritising service delivery at the top of the agenda.
“We must all recognise that the City has deteriorated over the past years, but to save it.
She indicated her priorities were to:
– Work with the Executive to resolve the billing crisis, ensuring the City has the resources to provide public services.
– Place the rejuvenation of the Inner City at the top of the agenda (the CBD is a mess).
– Tackle corruption, patronage, and wastefulness in the use of resources.
– Ensure strict enforcement of City bylaws, particularly concerning illegal trading and dumping.
– Ensure that accountability is entrenched in a collaborative environme.nt for the effective delivery of services and the restoration of good governance.
Dada Morero, newly minted Mayor of the City, also wished her well.
As we continue to commemorate Womens’ Month, we salute Mthembu on her new responsibilities, and as when its required, shall hold her to account.
Image (Talking tough. New City of Joburg Speaker, Nobuhle Mthembu says she’s going to rejuvenate the City and suffocate corruption, amongst others).
