The City of Joburg has tabled a draft IDP document for public comment as part of efforts to enhance the quality of service delivery.
The draft IDP outlines targeted programmes, services, and the support required to drive economic growth and optimal municipal performance in line with the seven (7) mayoral priorities for the current term of office. The over-arching principle of the IDP is the practice and encouragement of sound governance in all the City does.
The Multi-Party Government (MPG) echoes the sentiments of Joburg residents in Council meetings, that change is required, mediocre performance is inexcusable, and that a world-class African City is characterised by good governance, inclusivity, and transparency. These characteristics remain the overarching goals of the Golden Start, the City’s strategic outlook.
In the pursuit of “Building a City of Golden Opportunities,” the IDP confirms the MPG’s intention for the next five years, which entails speeding up service delivery and improving the quality of life for all residents. The City Council acknowledges that there is still a long way to go but that the commitment to get there is evidenced in the strategic interventions announced in the IDP.
Through the draft IDP and budget, the MPG will focus on infrastructure investment, improving the reliability of public services for those who have them, and extending basic services to those with limited access. The mission is to ensure there is clean water and a sanitary environment for all communities. The vision is that everything possible must be done to create an environment that will enable economic growth, making Joburg the City of Golden Opportunities.
As far as the Executive Mayor, Cllr Mpho Phalatse is concerned, the draft IDP is not about ticking compliance boxes. “This draft plan marks a significant shift for the City. A new era has begun, the City wants to know what you need, not merely give you what we think you need,” says the Executive Mayor, adding, “it gives me immense pleasure to present the City’s draft 2022/27 IDP for consultation”.
The proposed dates and times for IDP meetings are as follows:
Region A: Saturday 2 April 10:00 – 13:00 Midrand Fire Station
Region B: Wednesday 6 April 17:00 – 19:00 Danie van Zyl Rec
Region C: Saturday 30 April 10:00 – 13:00 Roodepoort City Hall
Region D1: Saturday 9 April 10:00 – 13:00 Dhlamini MPCC
Region D2: Saturday 7 May 10:00 – 13:00 Orlando Community Hall
Region E: Wednesday 20 April 17:00 – 19:00 Marlboro Community Hall
Region F: Tuesday 12 April 17:00 – 19:00 Brixton MPCC
Region G: Saturday 23 April 10:00 – 13:00 Finetown MPCC
The Budget
Like other cities across the world, Johannesburg faces a slew of challenges ranging from poverty, increasing unemployment, rapid urbanisation, and other socio-economic challenges. In a City with 6, 2 million inhabitants, the challenge will always be how to balance ever-increasing service delivery requests with limited resources.
As major economies transition out of Covid-19, the City is yet to fully recover from the impact of the global pandemic on its revenue base.
Over 70% of the City’s revenue comes from service charges for electricity, water, sanitation, and refuse, as well as rates and taxes. During the various stages of the Covid-19 lockdown, many businesses closed, and household income levels were depleted.
The budget tabled before the City Council considers these realities while striving to improve operational efficiencies to realise better value for money.
The responsibility of the City’s administration is to ensure the agenda is clear, representative of the needs of its citizens, and that the challenges faced are addressed sustainably. Despite limited resources, the City’s drive is to prioritise allocation to those interventions that drive the strategic agenda (the Golden Start), with a particular focus on programmes that stimulate and stabilise the economy post Covid.
Tariff proposals for the 2022/23 fiscal year will be made available for public comment in April. The tariff proposals for electricity, water, and sanitation are a pass-through cost to residents due to price increases by Eskom and Rand Water.
The MMC of Finance, Cllr Julie Suddaby, says while the City has noted signs of improvement, the municipality will apply principles of good governance.
“We will be watching our budget carefully in the knowledge that we are rebuilding our
City, using the Golden Start principles, with a focused and determined approach to see it shine once more,” Suddaby says.