The outcome of the ANCs long-awaited KwaZulu-Natal conference was a win for the Thuma Mina crowd. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
At only 14 years old, the City of Ekurhuleni is the youngest of South Africa’s metropolitan municipalities — but it is one determined to overcome its distinct fragmentations.
Ekurhuleni city manager Khaya Ngema said the municipality has had to embrace a legacy of nine towns and a fragmented and dispersed urban structure of towns and townships with no identifiable city centre. There was also a declining manufacturing centre, deteriorating town centres and stagnant property prices.
“Quality and reliability of service delivery to the people of Ekurhuleni is at the core of this administration’s focus. It has already achieved much, despite its young age,” he said.
Among the many achievements is the city receiving the Blue Drop Platinum Award for the high quality of tap water for its citizens and the city’s water quality and reticulation system are among the best in the world. The city also won the Green City Award, testament to the city’s cleanliness and respect for its environment.
“We also have one of the best electricity networks on the continent and over and above the biggest airport in OR Tambo, we also host the busiest Southern African Development Community (SADC) rail interchange at Germiston. The Gillooly’s motor interchange is the busiest in the country and we are easily at the heart of movement of goods in South Africa.
“We are sustaining growth and dealing with issues of poverty through a number of economic development projects, including development of the aerotropolis.”
About Ekurhuleni
Ekurhuleni contributes 6.25% to national production, provides approximately 7.3% in terms of national employment and 26% of the total economic output of Gauteng. It has nine towns, 17 townships, 8 000 industries and is home to 3.1 million citizens.