MEC Gadija Brown graced the Matjhabeng Local Municipality Strategic Plan
Session.
During her address, she underscored the pivotal role of essential services as a foundational element, emphasising that the nation gauges the performance of local government as a measure of overall success.
She stressed the importance of shifting the focus from paperwork to tangible outputs, highlighting the significance of execution and implementation. She further advocated for the prioritisation of quality service delivery to enhance revenue and garner support for challenging areas.
The MEC congratulated the Matjhabeng team on their achievements since November 2021, extending her best wishes for the upcoming year and expressing confidence in the positive trajectory of the institution.
In a current two-day event at Toronto Hall in Welkom, the Matjhabeng Local Municipality is actively engaged in strategic
planning.
The Executive Mayor, Cllr. Thanduxolo Khalipha, highlighted key priorities such as infrastructure, capacity building,
and local economic development, shaping the institution's direction since November 2021....
During his opening address, Executive Mayor Khalipha acknowledged law enforcement's efforts to combat corruption within
the municipality. He expressed the institution's commitment to supporting these initiatives, aspiring to achieve a
corruption-free status.
The ongoing session involves presentations, deliberations, and commissions focusing on diverse strategies to advance the
well-being of Matjhabeng residents throughout 2024.
Distinguished attendees include Free State Finance MEC Gadija Brown, representatives from the Thabo Mbeki Foundation,
SALGA, Director Generals, Deputy Director Generals, and officials from various provincial departments, fostering a
collaborative environment for strategic development
For Immediate Release - On Tuesday, 07 November 2023, the Executive Mayor of
Matjhabeng Local Municipality, in collaboration with the MEC of
Cogta and Himan Settlement, Mr.Ketso Makume, and the Department of Human Settlement,
orchestrated a pivotal meeting to
introduce the newly appointed contractors entrusted with revitalising vital
infrastructure projects within Matjhabeng
Local Municipality. These projects had previously come to a standstill due to the
inadequate performance and
non-delivery by the previous contractors.
The upcoming projects include:
* Water and sewer infrastructure for 390 sites in Welkom, Thabong/Bronville Extension 26 (Freedom Square). The project
is currently at 45% completion, with the newly appointed contractor tasked with completing the outstanding work.
* Water and sewer infrastructure for 800 sites in Thabong Ext 25 Homestead. The project stands at 82% completion and is
anticipated to be fully finalised by December 2023.
* Water and sewer infrastructure for 873 sites in Welkom, Thabong Ext 27 Phokeng. The project is currently at 92%
completion and is scheduled for completion by December.
* Construction of water and sewer reticulation for Kutlwanong. The remaining aspects of the project will be addressed
upon the appointment of a contractor.
* Construction of community residential units in Welkom, G Hostel. The outstanding work is expected to be completed by
June 2024.
* Construction of water and sewer reticulation for Dichocolateng. The project is scheduled for completion by February
2024.
* Construction of water and sewer reticulation for Hani Park. The remaining portions of the project will be handled upon
the appointment of a contractor.
* Water and sewer infrastructure for 500 sites in Mmamahabane extension 4. The pending components of the project will be
addressed upon the appointment of a contractor.
These initiatives are a response to a letter from Executive Mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha to the Minister of Human
Settlement, Honourable Minister Kubayi.... The letter sought her intervention in addressing the sewer disaster in
Matjhabeng, stemming from incomplete water, sewer, and sanitation projects.
The Executive Mayor expressed his appreciation for the commendable efforts of the Human Settlement Department in
prioritising unfinished projects in Matjhabeng. He assured contractors of stringent monitoring to ensure that the
projects meet high-quality standards and adhere to agreed schedules.
He also urged the prompt establishment of site offices to expedite the commencement of work, and encouraged Councillors
to actively oversee and support the contractors. The importance of mobilising communities to prevent vandalism and
disruptions that could impede project completion was emphasised. Furthermore, he stressed that local small businesses
should have subcontracting opportunities based on merit and competence.
MEC Ketso Makume discouraged any disruptions to the projects and underlined the department's commitment to appointing
highly qualified contractors to ensure the successful completion of these critical projects. He also announced the
appointment of a contractor to address the Allanridge disaster, involving the construction of proper houses for affected
families, with the aim of restoring their dignity. This work is set to commence before the end of the current month.
Story by: Matjhabeng Communications Published: Nov 09, 2023
The National Business Initiative (NBI) has been at the forefront of providing technical
advice to Matjhabeng Local Municipality through the Ministerial intervention to address
its water and sanitation challenges. This support has been provided through NBI’s
Technical Assistance, Mentorship and Development (TAMDEV) initiative.
TAMDEV’s overarching goal is to strengthen the capacity of the State, with the aim of improving service delivery and creating job opportunities. The TAMDEV approach builds on tested, workable practices and the deployment of retired experts and technical professionals, from both the private and public sectors, to strengthen vulnerable public institutions and address service delivery constraints....
Matjhabeng’s high levels of vandalism and sabotage result in manhole covers missing across large parts of the sewer network. This is not only a safety hazard, but also allows surface sand to enter the pipeline, resulting in blockages. Furthermore, maintaining cleaned infrastructure after attending to problems in the sewer network is often overlooked by service providers, which is counterproductive.
In order to create sustainable, long-lasting solutions for the communities, food and beverage company, PepsiCo, collaborated with the NBI to support the efforts of the municipality and Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). This assistance has involved covering and sealing the manholes, which were cleaned by their service providers, to ensure long-lasting and cost-effective solutions for the communities.
To this end, 100 manhole covers will be installed across the following areas, which were identified by the Matjhabeng Municipality and Vaal Central Water Board (previously Bloemwater):
• Thabong,
• Allanridge and,
• Kutlwanong.
Another aspect of the project will be to enhance youth employment within the Matjhabeng Municipality by providing for the training and deploying of Sanitation agents into selected communities, with the aim of educating beneficiaries and creating awareness to effectively:
• Minimize vandalism.
• Promote responsible stewardship.
• Improve understanding of ownership and safekeeping of community assets.
The manholes will be installed soon, and the sanitation agents are also expected to begin working in the communities this month.
Matjhabeng Local Municipality would like to thank PepsiCo (primary funder for the Ministerial intervention) and the NBI for their continued support and the immeasurable contribution it is making to the lives of its residents.
During the first week of July 2023, AfriForum reported the presence of Vibrio
cholera in Thabong and at Witpan.
An action team consisting of the Department of Health, the Department of Water and Sanitation, Lejweleputswa District Municipality, Vaal Central Water Board (previously known as Bloem Water) and Matjhabeng Local Municipality which is the Water Services Authority (WSA), immediately joined forces to extend their routine water quality monitoring programmes. No Vibrio cholera organisms were detected at the same points mentioned by AfriForum and other sample points in the Vaal River, the bulk supply system of Vaal Central Water Board and the distribution network of Matjhabeng Local Municipality....
The department of Water and Sanitation and water services authorities conducted tests at various points in the water system to assure that it complies with the sans 241 standards. Operational monitoring in Matjhabeng Local Municipality Water Treatment Plants are done daily by Vaal Central Water Board.
The community should be vigilant of fake news being spread through whatsapp and should wait for official communication by the Matjhabeng Local Municipality. Community members of Matjhabeng should rest assured that if any threat is detected in the water system an immediate communication will be issued to them using various platforms.
The Matjhabeng Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr Thanduxolo Khalipha launched a road project in Ward 36, Nyakallong, Allanridge. The project will focus on upgrading a three (3) kilometre gravel road to a paved road with storm water drainage.
The stormwater runoff will be managed using kern and open channels. The objective is to provide an easily accessible road during rainfall.
This project is expected to employ ninety (90) individuals for a period of eight (8) months and will a total number of seventeen-thousand-nine-hundred and fifty-seven (17957) households benefit from this project.
The Executive Mayor will also be launching another project of this magnitude today in Kultwanong....
Matjhabeng Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr Thanduxolo Khalipha lead a dedicated municipal team from Parks and Recreation as well as EPWP workers to clean and cut the grass in Koppie Alleen Road, Welkom.
This is a Mayoral campaign to create a safe and clean environment in Matjhabeng. The Executive Mayor hopes that this initiative will inspire members of the community to take charge and partner with the municipality to keep their neigbourhoods clean.
After this clean up campaign, the Executive Mayor will be in Ward 36, Nyakallong, Allanridge to launch a road project worth twenty-seven million rand (R27 000 000.00).
On Monday 10, the Executive Mayor, Cllr Thanduxolo Khalipha and the Free State MEC of Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlement Mr Toto Makume visited Kutlwanong, Odendaalsrus to inspect unfinished projects. They were accompanied by the following ward councillors: Ward 10 – Cllr SJ Ramalefane, Ward 18 – Cllr II Maruping, Ward 21 – Cllr KM Ntoni, Ward 22 – Cllr CL Makaliane .
They were later joined by Ward 19 – Cllr PT Ramatisa and Ward 36 – Cllr C Hanisi for a briefing session to brief the MEC on the two (2) road projects that will be launched in Ward 36 (Nyakallong) and Ward 18 (Kutlwanong).
The Executive Mayor of Matjhabeng Local Municipality, Cllr Thanduxolo Khalipha today
unveiled newly bought Fire Engine trucks to strengthen the Fire Department of the
Municipality and enhance firefighting work.
The Municipality spent R6 Million + to purchase these Fire Engine Trucks. The Executive Mayor stated that these new fire trucks are part of his five-year plan to empower the Fire Department to be able
to respond to the needs of our people in emergency situations. He added that by the end of July, another fire engine truck will be procured.
The Unveiling was graced by the presence
of the MMC of Community Service (Cllr Rubben Tlake), Municipal Manager (Adv Lonwabo Ngoqo) and Senior Officials of the Municipality.
