Presidential Imbizo: Ekurhuleni community voice frustrations over service delivery and jobs
Service delivery failures, unmet promises and unemployment dominated discussions at a presidential imbizo in Ekurhuleni.
The imbizo, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, provided a platform for community members to directly engage with senior government officials and raise their concerns about service delivery issues in their area.
It was held at Tsakane Sports Stadium in Ekurhuleni on Friday.
Residents expressed concern by the slow pace of RDP housing and available job opportunities.
"Getting my own house would make me so happy Mr President. That's all I long for. I do not want to rent anymore," said one of the residents.
Meanwhile, a worried parent sounded the alarm on the rising number of scholar transport accidents.
"We are really saddened by the accidents that are happening and we are saying to the president and the government at large, as an organise structure we are here, thuma thina to be a voice, to unify the province of Gauteng, to eliminate, regulate and monitor our industry.
"... To the Premier of Gauteng, why are you denying the children the schools in the areas where they reside. If there were schools around these areas, we would not have these accidents.
"We do not want any more accidents; one death is too many".
Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza also highlighted water and electricity challenges.
Xhakaza, who assumed office in April after taking over from Sivuyile Ngodwana, assured the community that his team is dedicated to addressing these problems.
"There are areas that we have identified in Ekurhuleni for our immediate focus, which includes the quality and sustainability of services for our communities.
"That we must build a robust financial base, repairs and maintenance, infrastructure and that good governance and ethical leadership is at the centre.
"Most importantly for the community of Tsakane Mr President, the primary service delivery challenges are related to water and energy and the recent protest highlighted a critical nature of these issues which are straining our infrastructure".
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi acknowledged the challenges, committing to ensure that all unemployed people in the province are registered on the provincial database.
He reiterated some of the commitments he made during the State of the Province Address this includes ensuring that all townships in the province have access to reliable free Wi-Fi.
"What we want to do President is to ensure that all our 26 townships together with MTN, together with Huawei, have access to reliable, dependable, free Wi-Fi so that all of people can be in a position to connect.
"We are of the view President that children of the poor have the right to do their homework at with the free Wi-Fi so that they can access their services.
"The future is no longer about water and electricity only; the future is about data so that those who are unemployed can send their CVs utilising free Wi-Fi".
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