Her next stop could be the Union Buildings, incoming Tshwane Metropolitan City Mayor Gwen Ramokgopa said on Friday.
Speaking to the National Press Club in Pretoria only hours before she was due to be elected new mayor of the capital city, Ramokgopa joked that she was ”very close to the Union Buildings”.
Media reports this week said Ramokgopa was unhappy with her new position as mayor of Tshwane and saw it as a step down from her previous position as Gauteng health MEC.
She denied this, saying that she was excited about her new position.
”I’m here, do I look sad,” she asked, adding: ”Maybe the question should be asked why did I accept, did I have choices, yes I did.”
Ramokgopa said a growing economy would be a major focus area under her leadership of the city. She said the city would follow a balanced approach in developing underdeveloped areas, at the same time continuing to improve more well-off areas.
”You look at maintenance requirements and budgeting and then say how do we deal with the backlog. I think it is important for communities who does not have services to see the progressive realisation of those services.”
She said the city was going to be receiving additional funds from the national treasury.
”We are looking at borrowing for infrastructure development, because we believe that it would improve the investment in the city,” Ramokgopa said.
Ramokgopa said as far as name changes were concerned, including the proposed change of the city’s name from Pretoria to Tshwane, she would be guided by residents.
”It can be a very emotional issue but if we look at it in a very fair, open, transparent and participatory way, it could be something that builds communities,” she said.
The newly elected Tshwane council would meet for the first time at noon an Friday, where Ramokgopa would be elected mayor in the ANC-controlled council. – Sapa