In a proactive step to promote sustainable decision-making and ensure community empowerment, Alfred Nzo District Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr. Vukile Mhlelembana, along with a delegation of municipal leaders, engaged with the communities of Thaba-Chicha Village in Ward 14, Matatiele Local Municipality.
Accompanying Cllr. Mhlelembana were Matatiele Local Municipality Mayor, Cllr. Sonwabile Mngenela, Portfolio Head for Water Services Provision, Cllr. Nathi Nqoko, and several other Members of the Executive. The visit was a follow-up to a previous commitment made by the Executive Mayor during the handover of an Information Communication Technology (ICT) Community Centre. At that event, local residents had raised a number of concerns regarding service delivery in their area.
Among the critical issues brought forward by the Thaba-Chicha community were leaking reservoirs, lack of reliable water supply, deteriorating access roads, a shortage of RDP houses, high levels of crime and substance abuse, and the need for skills development programs for young people.
Addressing the community, Cllr. Mhlelembana emphasized the municipality’s responsibility as a Water Service Provider to ensure access to clean and reliable water for all residents, regardless of their location. “Engagements of this nature are vital for the municipality as they help improve the efficiency, legitimacy, and transparency of our decision-making processes,” he stated.
During the engagement, a plan was presented by the Infrastructure Development & Municipal Services (IDMS) department of the Alfred Nzo District Municipality to address some of the pressing challenges. The plan includes the repair and cleaning of reservoirs and the installation of water taps within the next three weeks.
The visit marks a commitment by the Alfred Nzo District Municipality to continue engaging with local communities, listening to their concerns, and taking concrete actions to improve service delivery and overall quality of life in the region.
