POINTS FOR THE HONOURABLE EXECUTIVE MAYOR : COUNCILLOR
ZANOXOLO WAYILE
TO: SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF THE NELSON MANDELA BAY
METROPOLITAN COUNCIL
23 FEBRUARY 2012, COUNCIL CHAMBER AT 09H00
The Honourable Speaker
Fellow Councillors
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen
Greetings!
The agenda sets out 7 items for discussion:

Filling the vacancy on the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) and
the appointment of the Chairperson of the Committee

The extension of the AMM contract

The Draft Policy on the Establishment and Functioning of Ward Committees.

2012/13 Draft Rates Policy

2011/12 Adjustment Budget

Notice of Motions in terms of Rule 24: Cllr de Villiers

Notice of Questions in terms of Rule 24: Cllr Senekal
These matters on the agenda must assist to strengthen the capacity of governance in the
NMBM to deliver on its mandate. As we convene at this special sitting of Council, to
address the matters at hand, we must remain pragmatic and ask the difficult questions
whether; under the current circumstances have we been able to build and transform local
government in the NMB; have we been able to build a financially viable metro; have we
been able to deliver basic services to our communities as promised?
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We must make use of this opportunity to send a clear message to our communities we
serve that through our local government, a prosperous and better NMBM is in the
making. Through our actions and utterances, our people should continue to have
confidence in the work of this local government.
The newly appointed incumbents to MPAC must be reflective of the important work that
is being done by the committee. By doing this the incumbents will serve as an
encouragement that together as a multi-party forum and with all sections of our
communities; working hand in hand we will overcome the challenges still faced by this
municipality.
I specifically mention this point because I strongly believe that the decisions we make
must be informed by the MPAC and an integral part of the work we do for the betterment
of the lives of our citizens. It should not be an exercise or an attempt for cheap political
point scoring but about the manner we deliver services, manage public resources and
involve our citizens in matters affecting them.
We must remain fully cognizant of the challenges still faced by our people and our
common quest to deliver a better quality of life to our communities. These challenges
must serve as a reminder that developmental local government will always be a
continuous process that will be characterized by urgency to find innovative solutions to
challenges.
As the Executive Mayor I am aware that as a municipality we continue to face service
delivery backlogs; continue to have financial management challenges like raising
sustainable capital finances to eradicate service delivery backlogs, the scarcity of certain
technical and financial skills to ensure sustainability.
The challenges must continue to remind all of us that it is only through collective work
and collaboration amongst all political parties that we can find sustainable solutions that
will make it possible to realize the constitutional imperatives as local government and
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because we want our municipality to become a benchmark for efficiency and overall
excellence!
Another critical point is that of ensuring that our communities participate in shaping
policies that we implement. A strong element of public participation is therefore a
necessary yardstick when deciding those who will be recipients. The holding of Imbizos
and the existence of democratically elected and representative Ward Committees that
meet regularly is an important criterion which boosts opportunities for this municipality.
We continue to witness a very high rate of participation by our communities. We must
spend quality time with our people. Imbizos and the convening of Ward Committees
must continue unabated
In the spirit of Batho Pele we must all strive for excellence all the time in our work to
deliver a better life to our communities, and leave no room for mediocrity. We can only
succeed if we make a firm commitment to work closely and make sure that both the
political and the administrative arms of our municipality serve a common vision.
I wish to thank you all for the good work to support the integrity of our municipality at all
costs. We must always do our work recognizing the fact that we are in partnership and
not in competition as some would have it.
This evening, as we consider the matters at hand we must ask ourselves whether as
councilors we are honouring the life and memory of Councillor Ngqondi in a way that
properly befits her legacy, in service to our people. Her example was a lesson in sacrifice,
dedication and commitment. It also teaches us that people went through many hardships
and difficult times for being part of the struggle and at times had to pay the ultimate
sacrifice for that.
How many of us today, do actually put the lives of the people before our own personal
interests and comforts? Can we say the same about our commitment to serving our people
and delivering them from the shackles of unemployment and abject poverty?
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This is a challenge that faces us as councilors this evening. We need councilors who are
dedicated to the upliftment of our people, who care deeply about their basic needs and
wellbeing. If we deliver what our communities expect from us, we would have gone a
long way in preserving and honouring the memory of Councillors Gumenge, Ngqondi
and Lose.
I believe that even in the face of what seems insurmountable, this municipality will not
shirk its responsibilities. We are determined to stay on course- on the road to a better and
worthy future.
I thank you.
Developments and News of Note
1. Condolences

Death of former Premier of the Free State Mrs Winkie Direko, age 82, on Friday,
17 February 2012. State Funeral Service to be held on Saturday, 25 February
2012

Death of Port Elizabethan and internationally renowned South African diva and
soprano Elizabeth Connell who sang in major opera houses around the world. She
died in London, age 65.

Leading Eastern Cape merino wool farmer Roy Berrington died, age 81.
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2. Economic Development

Imminent announcement on R80-billion PetroSA - Project Mthombo oil refinery
at Coega is expected to boost the Eastern Cape economy and create thousands of
jobs will a major boost to the local economy.

Construction of the R1-billion FAW automotive plant in Coega to begin next
week. Expected to create 2000 direct jobs.

R1-billion port expansion project at Port of Ngqura and a further R250 million
investment in mooring technology, a first for Africa.

In a concerted effort to meet the government’s call to create more jobs and assist
poverty alleviation, the Absa Group (ASA) has launched Enterprise Development;
a unit focuses and dedicated to assist the growth and development of emerging
enterprises.
3. Health

The 53 premature babies who were removed from the Dora Nginza Hospital
paediatric ward after a fire broke out last week are all in a stable condition. No
staff or babies were injured.
4. Sport

Grey High School water polo team retained the prestigious Vides Trophy.

Port Elizabeth swimmer Jessica Liss finished in second place at Spar Redhouse
River Mile.
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5. Tertiary Institutions

The NMMU law students, Tina Terblanche, Andriza Liebenberg And Tshepiso
Bogatsu to take part in prestigious moot law competition in Washington
6. Arts & Culture

The Concert in the Park, an initiative of the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra
(ECPO), was hailed a success as thousands of classical and Afro pop music lovers
descended on Victoria Park for the two-day concert.
Ends.
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