Dear Tshwane residents
There are a few key updates from the month of May which I would like to share with you.
COVID-19 and vaccination
President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved the country back to adjusted lockdown Level 2.
The curfew now starts at 23:00 and ends at 04:00. The newly adjusted Level 2 restrictions come as the country, including Tshwane, has seen a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases, signalling the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The number of active cases in Tshwane has seen a week-on-week increase. Our most recent COVID-19 report indicates that the number of active cases has now reached the 4 000 mark with slight increases and declines on a daily basis. New confirmed daily cases are also increasing, ranging between 500 and 600 cases per day.
The continued increase in COVID-19 cases is concerning and requires vigilance from all of us. I also want to encourage everyone who is eligible to register for vaccination in this current phase of the roll-out to please do so.
It is also worth noting that the City initially had only five official vaccination sites and now I am pleased to announce that we have managed to secure nine additional sites, bringing the total number of vaccination sites in Tshwane to 14.
Budget Speech
This month I also successfully delivered the Budget Speech for the 2021/22 financial year. During the Budget Speech, I tabled the City’s operating budget of R39 billion accompanied by the capital budget that amounts to R3,7 billion.
As mentioned during my delivery of the Budget Speech, the 2021/22 budget was prepared in the midst of a difficult economic climate with our residents and businesses still reeling from the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We prepared the budget with a focus on stabilising City finances to drive quality service delivery. I am also pleased to report that Council passed the budget, and this should be considered a victory for Tshwane residents.
By-elections
We note the recent by-elections where 40 wards across the country were contested by more than 145 candidates from 29 political parties. At least nine of those wards were from Tshwane. I want to congratulate all the incoming councillors and we hope for a fruitful working relationship in delivering on the promises we all made to our constituents. I would also like to commend the Electoral Commission of South Africa for conducting a free and fair electoral process.
Relocation of Mamelodi flood victims
We are pleased to announce that we have commenced with the relocation of Mamelodi flood victims and other beneficiaries from the K54 Road and Mamelodi Transit Camp 1. The beneficiaries have been allocated land portions from Mooiplaats farm in Region 5. So far, 192 flood victims have already been relocated to their new pieces of land.
When these residents were adversely affected by the severe flooding, the City made a commitment to assist and relocate them. These processes were highly complex and required extensive community engagement and consultation. I am immensely proud of the work done by our teams, led by Cllr Mpho Mehlape-Zimu, MMC for Human Settlements, to support these residents.
Emerging Farmers Development Fund
Our emerging farmers suffered immensely from the negative impact brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Six months ago, I made a promise to introduce a fund to support small farmers in Tshwane.
Through cost savings incurred by cutting down expenses on items such as travel and catering I am pleased to note that we have established the Emerging Farmers Development Fund worth R2,9 million. The funds will be donated to 148 emerging farmers in the form of micro-grants to assist and stimulate their agri-businesses.
Africa Day
This month we also commemorated the 58th anniversary of Africa Day on 25 May 2021 with members of the African diplomatic community.
We also used the occasion of Africa Day to promote the capital city’s business tourism and leisure offerings under the theme, Tshwane, Ready to host Africa.
We made a call on African nations to consider Tshwane as their preferred business and leisure destination, because we believe that we are ready to host events from across the continent and that we will be able to do so safely.
Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club
On behalf of the City of Tshwane and its residents I would like to congratulate Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club on winning the Premier Soccer League (PSL) title for the 2020/21 season.
The formidable Brazilians clinched a record fourth consecutive PSL title win this month.
This is yet another excellent result by the Sundowns, who have played with great skill and pride throughout their 2020/21 season campaign.
As the City of Tshwane, we are indeed proud to be the home of “Bafana ba Style”.
We are truly inspired by the Mamelodi Sundowns and they are great ambassadors for Tshwane.
Well done to the team, coaching staff and club management.
As we move into the new financial year, I would like to reassure our residents that we intend to continue being an accountable administration, and I will work to ensure that all departments manage their budget allocations properly.
Kind regards
Cllr Randall Williams
