The newly installed Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Geoff Makhubo, has vowed to take the City to the next level by going back to basics.
Cllr Makhubo was speaking on the sidelines of his swearing in ceremony by Gauteng High Court Judge President Modibedi Djaje on Tuesday, 10 December, at Joburg Theatre. He was flanked by his new Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs).
“We will work hard to deliver services. We will make sure that the City is clean, fix potholes, resurface roads, fix traffic lights and grow the economy with the aim to create employment," the mayor assured residents.
In light of the drought that the City has been experiencing recently and the current torrential rains, Cllr Makhubo said though the rain was welcome, he was concerned about the damage it has caused.
“We have activated emergency services to help affected communities. We are also working towards enhancing the City's emergency management services in order to respond swiftly when cases such as these arise," he added.
The Mayor also touched on the 16 Days of Activism campaign for no violence against women and children, which started on 25 November to 10 December, saying the City will be rolling out programmes that confront patriarchy and ensure women are safe.
He further explained that the ongoing electricity blackouts are affecting the City negatively and the municipality was engaging Eskom to deliver effective communication to residents.
After he delivered his inaugural speech, delegates and the City's stakeholders who had all defied inclement weather and broke out in a celebratory song. The ceremony was also attended by members of various political parties, including those from the Gauteng Legislature and senior managers of the City.
On Saturday, 7 December Cllr Makhubo announced a multi-party team of MMCs who will head up the following portfolios:
- Finance: Cllr Jolidee Matongo
- Health and Social Development: Cllr Eunice Mgcina
- Environment, Infrastructure Services: Cllr Mpho Moerane
- Corporate and Shared Services: Cllr Loyiso Masuku
- Public Safety: Cllr Mally Mokoena
- Economic Development: Cllr Lloyd Philips
- Community Development: Cllr Margret Arnolds
- Development Planning: Cllr Jay Maharaj
- Transport: Cllr Nonhlanhla Makhuba
- Housing: Cllr Mlungisi Mabaso
- Written by Takalani Siogo
