Pretoria – Running two of the biggest cities in the economic powerhouse province of Gauteng is no walk in the park – a fact the mayors of Tshwane and Johannesburg are well aware of. As the two took office on Thursday, vows of hard work and transparency were made, all in an effort to improve service delivery.
Re-elected Tshwane Mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa says he is prepared to provide honest and realistic solutions to whatever problems are encountered by the City’s residents.
“Our people have spoken and their voices deserve the respect of each and every one of us … We will also insist on dialogue and participation by the multitude of our communities in the search for enduring answers to all dilemmas encountered,” said Ramokgopa after he was sworn-in on Thursday to be the City’s mayor.
He also pledged to be transparent and accountable in the affairs of the city, calling for democracy to grow among the communities and local government.
“We pledge to honour the wishes and desires of the founders of our democratic dispensation by cultivating a local government culture that is accountable and responsive in its outlook, effective in the delivery of social services, efficient in driving social and economic development, and uncompromising on the promotion of the self-expression … of the masses of our people,” Ramokgopa said.
Ramokgopa took over from the now Deputy Health Minister Gwen Ramokgopa last year.
Meanwhile, newly elected Johannesburg Mayor Mpho Parks Tau has called on parties to put aside their differences and unite in servicing residents.
“I want to express, at the outset of my tenure as Executive Mayor, my willingness to work together with all political parties and stakeholders. I want to give the people of Joburg the assurance that we will not let up in our efforts to help create a better Joburg through the building of better communities,” he said.
Tau assured Johannesburg communities that he was aware of the issues that need to be addressed.
“We will continue with our turnaround of the City’s billing system and ensure that we realise the benefits of a modernised system that provides our residents with a single entry point into all city services,” he said. – BuaNews
