When I am confronted by legal challenges, I never fail to point out to my more learned colleagues that my legal knowledge is very dangerous.
You see, I could not study law back in the 1970's because my Afrikaans at the time was poor and law was taught in Afrikaans.
In a similar way, Ralf Mathekga's opinion piece, published by News 24, is a demonstration of why an academic approach to local government is equally very dangerous.
Mathekga contradicts himself in rather spectacular fashion, in one breath saying:
“Yet, I do not see any reason why he should be removed as the mayor. He is better than the previous ANC-led administration."
And in another breath says:
“Just take a look at the City of Johannesburg; it does not look like there was a change of guard after the 2016 elections. The politics has been heightened, whilst basic service delivery is not improving."
If you are confused please don't worry. You can find solace in the fact that you are less confused than Mathekga.
Rather than approaching a discussion on local government service delivery from an academic approach, let's deal with those troublesome things called facts:
1. Turning Around Infrastructure Backlogs
I inherited a City where it seems like nobody had ever heard of repairs and maintenance. You need look no further than the M2 Bridge. R177 billion infrastructure backlog confronted the multi-party government, producing the myriad of service delivery issues experienced every day by our residents.
Through our Diphetogo programme, our investment in the road, bridge, electricity and water infrastructure rose from 58% of the capital budget to over 71%.
As a result electricity outages are on the decline. Water leaks and bursts have dropped. The road condition index is improving and we are preventing the collapse of our bridges across the City.
This is not theory, this is real and it was not happening before.
2. Combatting Fraud and Corruption
The establishment of an independent forensic capacity in Johannesburg has achieved something unique in local government. Over 6000 cases, involving more than R34 billion are now under investigation. Hundreds of arrests and countless disciplinary processes are bringing consequences to the doors of those who abuse public money.
Just ask the people of Eldorado Park after a company was appointed to build a sub-station in this area, plagued by electricity outages. Over R80 million was paid, for hardly any work done before the company disappeared leaving local sub-contractors unpaid.
Corruption has stolen public money from the delivery of services in the past.
This is not theory, this is real and these achievements are entirely unique to Johannesburg.
3. Extending the Operating Hours of Clinics and Libraries
The multi-party government has extended the operating hours of 26 clinics and 10 libraries across the City, with many more to follow. Practically, a clinic that closes at 4pm is a problem to people who work, or people who need medical services outside of ordinary business hours.
Hundreds of lives have been saved during after-hours services at these clinics, I doubt the families would agree with Mathekga's analysis.
The same applies to our Municipal Libraries, which now offer a sanctuary for learners to study for their examinations in a same, conducive environment.
By the way, there was not a City operated drug rehabilitation facility when we took office. There are now 5.
None of these projects existed in Johannesburg before the multi-party government took office.
4. Inner City Rejuvenation
The award of 84 Inner City properties to the private sector, comes with an investment tag of over R22 billion, generating 11 000 construction sector jobs and delivering over 6000 units in affordable and student housing.
Another 70 buildings are soon to be awarded in September, expected to generate similar figures, along with a pipeline of many more properties to come.
We face a crisis in spatial inequality, so many battle for affordable housing in the 'missing middle' and our construction sector is in trouble.
Before the multi-party government took office, the Inner City was a lawless slum that had no prospect of hope. This is fast changing.
5. Dignity through Human Settlements
With over 7000 families benefitting from housing projects in the past 3 years, and over 7500 title deeds handed over, the multi-party government is accelerating dignity through human settlements.
Critically, this is being achieved while our housing grants are being decreased through the very same political wars Mathekga is describing.
Over 3500 serviced stands will be delivered in this financial year alone, seeking to accelerate changes in land ownership patterns, and altering the traditional reliance upon RDP housing.
More informal settlements are being upgraded every year now in Johannesburg, then were upgraded in the previous 5 year term of office. When the 2021 term is concluded, every informal settlement will have access to water and sanitation.
Ask the beneficiaries of these programmes of their views of the past and the present.
All of this, and much more, has been achieved in a multi-party coalition, where there cannot be the arrogance of majoritarian rule. Every decision is based on consultation and every challenge is addressed through a multiplicity of solutions brought by many political parties.
Mathekga's commentary on the Auditor General's reports into Johannesburg leave me asking if he hasn't gotten confused again. The AG is recording improvements in the City and noting how our investigative capacity is identifying cases proactively, rather than leaving this to the AG as was the trend in the past.
Local Government service delivery is practical in nature. It is rooted on the ground where people live, addressing the challenges of their lived experience.
To say that nothing has changed since the multi-party coalition government has taken over or that our greatest achievement has been surviving, is missing the point so spectacularly that one has to wonder if this wasn't perhaps the intended objective.
Change is being delivered every day in Johannesburg, in ways it never existed before. So when I read pieces like Mathekga's all I hear is “blah, blah, blah" before carrying on with the work of changing the lives of Johannesburg's residents.
- Mashaba is the Executive Mayor of the City of Joburg
