Speech by the City’s Executive Mayor, Alderman
Patricia de Lille, at a meeting between the City, the
Western Cape Government, the Concerned Citizens’
Group and community members
The MEC for Human Settlements, Bonginkosi Madikizela
Mayoral Committee members
Subcouncil Chairpersons
Members of the Concerned Citizens Group
Community members
Ladies and gentlemen
Good morning, goeie môre, molweni, as-salaam alaikum, shalom.
I would like to thank the Concerned Citizens’ Group for the work they
have done in helping to put together this meeting here today.
The stance that this group has taken in support of the rule of law and
respect for democratically elected governments is a welcome and timely
intervention.
I would like to place on record that the City is taking part in today’s
engagement without prejudice, as the City is still pursuing legal action
against some individuals present here today.
We have agreed to this meeting in a display of good faith, despite
ongoing calls made by some here today to make the ‘city ungovernable’. I
trust that this will be reciprocated.
The City of Cape Town is committed to engaging with communities across
the city to address legitimate service delivery concerns.
To this end, the City has an extensive system of public participation – the
details of which will be discussed later – aimed at giving citizens a voice in
the programmes of government.
For example, we ensure that there is widespread consultation on key
strategies, policies and budget related issues.
We carry on delivering on this commitment, even when these democratic
processes are violently disrupted.
As a responsive and caring government, we take these public
participation processes very seriously and make every effort to ensure
that this input is carefully considered in the formulation of said
documents.
In return, there is an expectation that communities respect the mandate
of this government – a government who, it must be emphasised, won the
last election with the support of over 60% of the citizens of this city.
We further expect that communities will utilise the myriad mechanisms
available to them to report service delivery concerns.
These include contacting the City’s Call Centre, using the SMS service,
taking advantage of the FreeCall lines, engaging with your Ward
Councillor, and making use of Subcouncil offices and services.
Cape Town is the only metro in South Africa which has a Subcouncil
system.
This is an expression of our belief that we need to take government as
close to the people as possible.
The City is also currently targeting residents of informal settlements, with
an extensive awareness campaign to encourage residents to help us
monitor the quality of service provided by City contractors.
The City cannot be in all places all the time, therefore we are reliant on
community members to assist in ensuring that these service contractors
deliver on their contractual obligations.
This sense of shared responsibility is absolutely essential in ensuring
quality service provision.
Our systems show that we receive more complaints from more affluent
areas of the city.
This trend needs to be reversed, and you as community members and
leaders can play an important role in assisting our efforts in encouraging
residents to make their voices heard.
Since 2006, the City of Cape Town has also prioritised resource allocation
to areas that have historically experienced underinvestment.
We need to understand the difficulties associated with service delivery
within the context of 350 years of oppression – this legacy of
underinvestment in many areas of the city cannot be undone in just 20
years of democracy.
However, this government is fully committed to redress and ensuring that
we deal with the injustices of the past.
We have ensured that we have a deliberately pro-poor budget, with 64%
of the City budget being targeted at direct service provision to the poor
and the marginalised.
As part of our redress strategy, we have made specific and sustained
investments in informal settlements, which have led to tangible
improvements in service provision in these areas.
These improvements in access to basic services have occurred despite the
fact that Cape Town is the fastest growing city in South Africa, with the
population of the city having grown by 45% over the last 15 years.
To provide some perspective on the effect of this investment on service
delivery, the following is worth noting:
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In the current financial year, the Utility Services Directorate has
allocated close to R1 billion for the direct provision of services to
informal settlements. This budget has increased substantially
from the R249 million allocated in 2006/7.
In this financial year, R520 has been allocated for water and
sanitation services, R292 million for electricity services and R141
million for solid waste management. Since 2010/11, the budget
for water and sanitation to informal settlements has almost
doubled.
The number of toilets in informal settlements has increased from
14 591 to 43 000 since 2006, an increase of over 278%.
Since 2006/7 the City has supplied over 33 000 electricity
connections.
The City is introducing a weekend area cleaning system to help
create a cleaner environment and create jobs.
The City has introduced a janitorial programme, employing over
800 janitors to help ensure that toilets are clean and maintained.
The net result of this investment is that there is 100% access to
adequate sanitation in Cape Town, and that the City has the best
record of any metro in the country for providing basic services.
In terms of housing provision, the City has approved R1,2 billion for
earmarked projects in the 2014/15 to 2016/17 financial years.
Projects include new housing developments, the continued transformation
of the apartheid-era style hostels in Langa, and ongoing upgrades to the
living conditions of backyard dwellers and residents in informal
settlements – subject to the availability of funds.
The approved allocation includes three housing projects: in Macassar (in
the Helderberg area), Fisantekraal (in the Durbanville area) and Imizamo
Yethu (in the Hout Bay area).
The Macassar Housing Project Phase 1, to be created, is envisaged to cost
approximately R62,5 million. It is expected that 1 700 units will be built in
Phases 1 and 2 of this project.
The Fisantekraal Garden Cities Phase 2 Housing Project has an estimated
total cost to the City of approximately R87,9 million. The City will allocate
funds for the development of subsidy housing and for the provision of
associated infrastructure and facilities.
Another project set for the 2014/2015 to 2016/2017 financial years is the
creation of the Imizamo Yethu Phase 3 Housing Project at an estimated
total cost to the City of R105 million.
Council has also approved funds for the further upgrading of hostels as
part of the City’s Hostel Transformation Programme.
Approximately R320 million has been earmarked for the Phase 2
development of the Langa Hostels Community Rental Unit Project. Phase
1 of this project is due to commence soon, with the construction of 463
rental apartments.
It is envisioned that 1 300 families (or approximately 5 200 people) will
ultimately be relocated from apartheid-era hostels to secure two-bedroom
apartments in Langa – with individual kitchenettes, toilets, showers and
solar-heated water systems, washing lines and space for children to play
safely in the grounds.
The City’s overall Hostel Transformation Programme consists of an
estimated 15 000 units that will eventually be built in Langa, Gugulethu
and Nyanga.
Projects estimated at more than R600 million have been approved for the
upgrade of the living conditions of backyard dwellers and residents in
informal settlement areas.
We are acutely aware that, despite these gains, there is still a more lot to
do.
Service provision is a constant moving target, as a result of the ongoing
growth of the city.
This pressure on service delivery is further compounded by the challenges
that relate to the legislative and geographical context in which we have to
operate.
We are, for example, prohibited by law from providing services on
privately-owned land.
We have to contend with the fact that 82% of informal settlements have
some form or impediment to service provision.
These impediments can include informal settlements that are located on a
rail or road reserve, in a retention pond, on a flood plain or on privatelyowned property.
In each case the City has to come with up innovative and legally
permissible solutions to address service delivery needs.
I am confident that we are rising to this challenge.
I hope that today’s deliberations will lead to a greater understanding of
the City’s systematic approach to service delivery and the legal, financial
and other constraints under which we operate.
I would again appeal to you to encourage your fellow community
members to make full use of the communication channels available to
them. This will help us greatly in our efforts to deal with service delivery
problems and create a climate of mutual respect.
Finally, I hope that these deliberations will further instil a respect for the
rule of law and an appreciation of the mandate of a legitimate,
democratically elected government.
While we remain committed to engagement, we will not tolerate any
individual or group who threatens the foundation of our democracy and
will not hesitate to take serious action.
I again wish you well in these discussions.
The City is ready and willing to work in partnership with anyone who has
the best interests of City and the needs of the people of our great city at
heart.
Thank you, baie dankie, enkosi.