EXCO statement
23 August 2012
The Premier of Mpumalanga DD Mabuza has expressed satisfaction at the work of the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality compared to the past, saying that infighting within the municipality has stopped. He said, “It is quite clear that the current leadership led by executive mayor Ndaweni Mahlangu has brought significant changes. So far this is a changed environment. We can see and feel that there is order. You have gone a full circle and you have stabilized. There is light at the end of the tunnel. You have realized your mistakes. Please do not go back. We are determined to assist the municipality in resolving the issue of water shortage.”
The Premier was speaking at meeting with the councilors of the municipality on Wednesday as part of an Outreach Programme of the Executive Council. He went to say “We have asked PUTCO to assist you in terms of reducing the housing backlog in your municipality and we also asked other members of the private sector to assist as well. In the next two months, we shall be dealing with local economic development, finance and meetings with traditional leaders.“
He concluded by saying “for the sake of the people you must be honest and humble to the people you lead. Take leadership as an honor. You have turned the corner. You must know every time that sitting in council you represent the people and not yourself “.
Premier Mabuza has recently handed out ten newly built houses to needy families in the municipality that were built by members of the private sector within two weeks as part of their social responsibility policy.
Thembisile Hani Municipality has recently improved the collection of revenue from 2% in 2010/11 to 20% currently. It has appealed to the provincial government to install electricity meters so that it can further improve its revenue collection.
Members of the executive council have met various stakeholders that include business, church and traditional leaders. On Thursday, they visited schools, clinics and police stations as part of the Outreach Programme.
On Thursday, the Premier visited Mzimhlomphe High School in the municipality. He promised the principal, staff and learners that he is going to ensure that their dilapidated school is rebuilt and it would be one of the best in the province. He also assured the school to give university bursaries to those learners who obtained university entrance matric passes at the end of the year
The Premier went to donate computers and a computer laboratory to the Magake High school in Verena in the same municipality. Similarly he promised learners at the high school who performed exceptionally well in their matric exams bursaries for next year.
Enquiries:
Lebona Mosia
Provincial Government Spokesperson
Cell: 0825616465
Email: lmosia@mpg.gov.za
Issued by Office of the Premier, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
