The Alfred Duma Local Municipality successfully convened the State of the Municipality Address at the Ladysmith Indoor Sports Centre recently. Officials, ExCo members, invited guests and councillors gathered to hear Alfred Duma Municipal Mayor, Councillor Zama Sibisi, address the community in his first address as the Mayor of Alfred Duma.
In his address, Mayor Sibisi confirmed that the Alfred Duma Municipality had faced many difficult challenges such as the devastating effects of a number of floods which plagued Ladysmith and surrounding areas within a short space of time. “These floods which had followed shortly after the Covid-19 lockdown had certainly added to an already struggling financial and economic outlook,” said Mayor Sibisi.
He pointed out that the Council appointed a service provider to look into means to mitigate the flood risks that Ladysmith and its surrounding areas are experiencing. Council has provided over R15 million of Council funding to contribute towards alleviating the flooding.
“We have identified strategic focus areas within which we want this administration to embark on such as the economy of the town, the further development of infrastructure within the town, CBD, and industrial areas, revenue collection, safety and the good governance of the municipality.”
The Mayor said that reviving the local economy has become one of the main priorities for the municipality and that various engagements and appointments have been set down for potential investors.
“Reviving IThala Industrial Hub and providing necessary services and preserving and protecting the businesses within the municipality from any threats which may compel them to leave town is another key factor that needs to be addressed. We have witnessed the burning down of Ezakheni Plaza and the looting of Defy and other businesses in July last year and cannot allow these sort of criminal acts to burden our town.”
The Mayor also mentioned the reviving and relaunching events which will put the municipality on the map such as the Battlefields Festival relaunch. “These events and others will attract tourism and boost the local economy.”
Building and improving access to infrastructure such as roads, community facilities and bridges was also a commitment made by the Mayor who said that without proper infrastructure, communities would be left out of available opportunities.
The capital budget for the 2022/2023 financial year is R133 million, of which R84.9 million will be funded from grants and R48.2 million will be funded from the Council’s own contribution. The grant funding includes:
Municipal Infrastructure Grants, Sports Infrastructure Grants, Infrastructure Economic Development Grant (IEDG), Finance Management Grant, Infrastructure Skills Development Grant, Finance Management Grant, the Accreditation Subsidy and the Integrated National Electrification Programme (INEP) Grant.
Mayor Sibisi said that the correct revenue collection will be also done, which will improve the financial health and position of the municipality. “National coffers have been strained by the economic downturn, therefore, grant allocation to spheres of government are dwindling.” The decrease in revenue collection is also caused by rampant electricity theft. “We call upon all those who are involved in these heinous acts to desist doing so.”
The Mayor added that a plan is in place to visit different wards within the municipality to encourage payment of rates and other services provided by the municipality. Mayor Sibisi mentioned one of the key performance areas for local government: “This administration has combined the strategic planning and governance and finance portfolio committees into one portfolio. The rationale behind this was solely to enforce, improve and promote good governance. This means the Municipal Systems Act, no. 32 of 2000 and Municipal Finance Management Act, 56 of 2003 are accounted for in one portfolio.”
The oversight structures are in place and performing their duties as per the municipal policies and legal prescripts. Environment safety and protection will be looked at to ensure that the municipal property and infrastructure are protected from crime. “Vandalising infrastructure and municipal properties during protests have become a new norm. Council will ensure the safety of all stakeholders and their properties.”
He added that a new unit that will deal with protecting municipal properties is being mooted by the Administration. “The Council agreed on the projects that will be implemented and these projects are detailed in the IDP and Service Delivery Budget Implementation Plan. In conclusion, more work needs to be done, noting that we have donated more than 650 school uniforms and school shoes to needy learners. We have donated more than 500 food parcels to flood victims and have built and handed over two houses in wards 17 and 37, respectively.”
