By Palesa Ndinisa
Siyabonga Moloi, a 35-year-old councillor serving his fourth year in the council office, residing in Emaphupheni- Daveyton detailed the issues that his ward faces. Moloi is also a Chairperson of section 79 committee-Gender Children Youth & People with Disability (GCYPD) in the City of Ekurhuleni.
Etwatwa is known to have water supply problems amongst other service delivery and infrastructure issues. The councillor stretched out that Etwatwa has a low pressure of water supply, therefore, when Rand Water conducts water maintenance and there is a water shortage, Etwatwa becomes more disadvantaged. “We took about 16 days to recover after the last water shortage crisis. The population’s growth adds to this as well, meaning more pipes have to be installed. In our last briefing, we were told that Rand Water will give us a pipe directly from Vlakfontein towards Delmas. That pipe is supposed to supply us with water,” added the councillor. With road maintenance also being an issue in Etwatwa, Moloi attested that there is a plan in action for potholes and road rehabilitation. Additionally, he expressed that the city relies on contractors which can make the process slightly difficult to complete since the City of Ekurhuleni has fiscal problems. This too affects waste removal, exceedingly causing a health hazard to society.
The council’s initiatives in implementing local development and job creation include an economic hub, where people can go and register to do manufacturing at a lower scale. The City of Ekurhuleni has a program called ‘Vuk’uphile, where 50 contractors will be trained. Moloi urges people to take opportunities that the City gives to people for the betterment of their lives. “The council tries to assist people, but the problem is that our people don’t take these chances and they end up in the hands of foreigners. Some act as agents for foreigners and take these opportunities on behalf of foreigners. This kills the value of what we’re building for our community. It’s sad because our community does not meet us halfway. Our people can pay R450 for their DSTv accounts and clothing accounts, but they don’t pay for services such as electricity, water and waste yet they’re the first to cry when we have waste, water, and electricity crisis. It’s mostly elderly people who understand the importance of paying municipal services. The City must generate its own revenue to run smoothly and this can only be done through such payments,” expressed the councillor.
Moloi mentioned that he calls public meetings quarterly to discuss their concerns and provide feedback. He also has a WhatsApp group where all residents of ward 65 share their problems, exchange information and advertise their businesses every Tuesday, in hope of helping and uplifting each other. He further explained that the reports he gets from his community are taken directly to the department as he awaits a follow up. The councillor communicated that electricity infringement remains a top concern in the ward, making it a challenge for Eskom to provide assistance when there are complications regarding electricity.
“We have Integrated Development Plan (IDP) meetings yearly that is given to each ward council member by the City. In these meetings, we mention our top priorities in the five-year-term we serve and it’s reviewed yearly. My priorities include an informal settlement called Steve Biko. It has never been electrified and it has been existing for more than three decades. There are people living on a road called PWV at extension 17, 18 and 19. Also, we want roads fixed in every street,” said Moloi.
In conclusion, the councillor shared that he offers employment to underprivileged households. Moloi furthermore stated that he conducts projects yearly that improve the lives of his community.
