Mathebe promises more services during 2022/23

KLOPPER

Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM)’s executive mayor Julia Lata Mathebe has vowed to provide better services to the people of Sekhukhune.
Mathebe tabled the 2022/23 IDP/Budget during a council meeting held at Zamalek Sports Ground in Klopper on May 25.
This was Mathebe’s first budget speech since she was announced as the political leader at the SDM in February.
“The IDP/Budget is the most important economic policy and planning document, for the people of our district. Great effort was made to ensure that this IDP/Budget reflects the wishes and aspirations of the people of Sekhukhune,” revealed Mathebe.
She said they had locals participating in the drafting of the budget.
“We are pleased to announce that, through widespread consultations, using various mediums such as community radios, social media and contact meetings, the people of our district actively participated in the IDP/Budget process.”
She indicated that the various services that government provides to the people, including water and sanitation infrastructure, electricity, and roads, must be based on the obligation to fulfil human rights.
“During the consultation process, we solicited the views of various stakeholders and rate payers, including traditional leaders, business, and community members.”
On youth development, local economy and boosting young entrepreneurs, Mathebe seemed to have placed her trust on the the Fetakgomo Tubatse SEZ.
“We have kept our commitment to provide support to SMMEs and Co-operatives in our district. After we had called on eligible applicants to apply for the Inaugural SMMEs and Cooperatives Development Fund last month, we have since received 105 applications and adjudication will soon commence.”
She further said they have partnered with the Sekhukhune TVET College Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator, to provide financial and non-financial support to emerging entrepreneurs in the SDM.

“We have invested R2million in this empowerment programme and we will certainly continue with it in the next financial year.
“We have also reactivated the Fetakgomo Tubatse SEZ political steering committee which comprises all mayors in our district, municipal managers, and senior government officials, and is chaired by the Executive Mayor.”

She said they are ready to relocate the district municipal offices to Jane Furse.

The mayor said a community resolution on land allocation was obtained from the Pedi Mamone Tribal Authority in February.

With people of the SDM lacking basic needs such as water. Mathebe indicated that she is committed to doing an audit of all bulk Water Schemes and projects and compile a list of delayed projects.
“After the longstanding delays on the Moutse Bulk Water Scheme, we are beginning to make progress. Many of the projects are either practically complete or near completion.
“The upgrading of the Groblersdal Water Treatment Works and Pump station is at 90 percent, and it waits testing. “
She added, “We further want to indicate that budget has been set aside to complete some of the stagnant or incomplete projects such as Zaaiplaas village reticulation, Maphopha reservoir, Nkadimeng phase 5-10, Ga Mashabela water reticulation, Nkadimeng Extension 2, and Olifantspoort South Regional Water Supply phase 6”
On the budget, she said the Total Revenue Budget is R1, 700billion, of this, R1, 230billion is Total Operating Revenue.

“The Total Capital Expenditure is at R489million, of the total capital revenue, R469 million is from capital grants, while R20 million is from the SDM’s own revenue sources,” Mathebe said.
The municipality has also budgeted an operating surplus of R233 thousand in the 2022/2023 financial year.
The Office of the Speaker has been allocated R48; 349m to fulfil its mandate of ensuring the legislative arm of the municipality remain functional.
To enhance the functions of the Executive Mayor, which are not limited to the monitoring of the administration and implementation of policy, the Office of the Executive Mayor, has been allocated R42, 821m.
A total of R88, 662m is allocated to the Office of the Municipal Manager, to enable proper implementation and supervision of the service delivery projects among many other duties.

In concluding Mathebe said, “While we acknowledge that our challenges regarding water and sanitation services are massive, one thing we must agree on is that time for talking, without action, is over.”