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Matatiele LM congratulates MEC Nkopane

Matatiele Local Municipality is thrilled by the appointment of MEC Ntombovuyo Nkopane in the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the former Mayor of this Municipality who hails from Thaba Chicha in Ward 14.

MEC Nkopane served as the Speaker of Matatiele Local Municipality from 2006 – 2008, she was later deployed as the Mayor following the 2011 local government elections until 2013 before joining the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature. In both positions, the former Mayor served the people of Matatiele with dedication and excellence ensuring that the institution receives a clean
audit during the 2011/12 financial year.

The Mayor of Matatiele Local Municipality, Cllr. Sonwabile Mngenela congratulated the former Mayor for flying the Matatiele flag so high. “The people of Matatiele especially from Fiva and Thaba Chicha villages congratulates the MEC and are hopeful that she will work so hard to transform the lives of the people of the Eastern Cape”, said Cllr. Mngenela.

Announcing the new changes in the cabinet, Eastern Cape Premier, Mr. Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane said, “Ms Ntombovuyo Nkopane will build on the solid foundation laid by former MEC Babalo Madikizela of an agile Public Works and Infrastructure Department. We want to see more previously disadvantaged contractors growing with the support of the department and the transformation of the property sector utilising the government property portfolio”.

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For Media Enquiries: Mr. Luncedo Walaza, Head of Communications
Cell: 060 672 5551 e-mail: LWalaza@matatiele.gov.za
Issued by Matatiele Local Municipality

Siphushile! 83% Service delivery achieved during the COVID year!

Matatiele Local Municipality is delighted to announce that the institutions’ service delivery performance and financial management has greatly improved in the last fiscal year. The municipality has achieved 83% on its service delivery related targets during the 2020/21FY – a COVID-19 year!

Information on the Municipality’s service delivery performance is contained in the Annual Performance Report (APR) which echoes the performance over the last financial year. This report gives a detailed account of service delivery achievements, challenges and corrective measures thereof.

Municipal Manager, Mr. Lizo Matiwane said the 2020/2021 financial year was both challenging and exciting as the Municipality strived to achieve the imperatives of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP). The Municipality has endeavoured tirelessly in focusing on delivering the mandate even in the midst of increasing external and internal challenges.

“The Municipality has electrified homes, brought life to the indigent communities, skilled the youth and created job opportunities despite numerous challenges, like the work stoppages by contractors, aging infrastructure and limited budget resources”, said Matiwane. Some of the highlights or achievements contained in the Annual Performance Report indicate that the Municipality has delivered to the poorest of the poor.

Under Basic Service Delivery, more than 4 525 rural households were connected to the national electrification grid, 63,4 km of quality access roads were constructed and completed with wards 4, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 17, 21, 22 and 23 being the beneficiaries. Thirteen thousand two hundred & sixtynine (13269) registered indigent beneficiaries were provided with free basic services such as gas stoves, solar maintenance, rates, refuse and free electricity. Maintenance of municipal infrastructure and public amenities: Vela Pre-School, Cedarville Community Hall, Ditichereng Pre-School, Lunda Community Hall, Dengwane Community Hall, Public Safety ablution facilities, North End Stadium and Old Electricity Building.

Although he emphasized on the room for improvement, Mr Matiwane is pleased with the performance given the limitations imposed by COVID-19 outbreak. “It has been an extremely challenging year, but I’m happy that as the municipality we managed to push service delivery to a satisfactory level. It is a deliberate effort of this administration to push all barriers as we endeavour to deliver on the mandate we have been given by the council. We do this even in the midst of increasing external and internal challenges.”

In responding to the Local Economic Development (LED), the Municipality acknowledges the significant role played by the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) which serves as a fundamental tool to alleviate poverty and unemployment. 430 job opportunities were created through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). Seventy (70) SMMEs were supported through skills development training in Waste Management, animal production and plant production.

Commenting on the performance, Mayor, Cllr Momelezi Mbedla said the focus of the Municipality in the last fiscal period was on projects that would improve the lives of the residents of Matatiele. “We acknowledge that there have been major strides taken during this period, to deliver basic services to the people of Matatiele. This we did even in the most challenging times, thus our #SIPHUSHILE stance, and indeed the work achieved is tangible enough to claim that Siphushile”, he said.

This is a great performance achieved compared to the last financial years where in 2019/20 the Municipality achieved only 54%. “This indeed shows that we are on an upward trajectory, proving that the systems introduced of ensuring strict adherence to proper internal controls and compliance with laws and regulations are bearing positive fruits”, concludes Mbedla.

Delays in awarding the contracts, poor performance from emerging contractors, appeals processes, work stoppages, local contractors disputes, delays in supply of required resources for the commencement of projects, COVID-19 pandemic and insufficient budget allocations resulted in slower spend than expected. The Municipality has put in place measures to mitigate these challenges moving forward.

The Municipality is urging communities especially men to go and vaccinate to protect themselves and their loved ones and to continue observing COVID-19 health protocols. We are all encouraged to take the vaccine in order to build the Matatiele we want.

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Media Enquiries: Mr. Luncedo Walaza: Acting Head of Communications
Cell: 078 429 0183 e-mail: LWalaza@matatiele.gov.za
Issued by Matatiele Local Municipality

Matatiele Local Municipality council mourns the passing of Cllr. Joseph Mabula

Matatiele Local Municipality is saddened to announce the untimely passing of Cllr. Joseph Mabula, who succumbed to death on Thursday, 30 September 2021 this after sustaining injuries from a car accident.

Cllr. Mabula served as a member of Matatiele Local Municipality Council following the 2016 Local Government Elections where he was deployed to the Infrastructure & Community Services Department standing committees as a member.

“I would like to convey my deepest sincere condolences to the family of Cllr Mabula, his colleagues, the people of Matatiele and everyone who knew him or affected by the loss of this true humble leader and a servant who served the people of Matatiele with distinction”, said Mayor Mbedla.

The Speaker of Matatiele Local Municipality council, Cllr. Nomasomi Mshuqwana described the loss of this servant of the people as tragic to the local government sector.

“We are left with only few days before the end of the term and we were hoping we will not receive another blow as we lost a number of councillors since 2016, and now we lose yet another humble, service orientated and someone who pledged to serve the people of Matatiele outstandingly”, Speaker Mshuqwana said.

His memorial service will be held on Thursday, 21st of October 2021 at Matatiele Town Hall and the funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course.  May his soul rest in peace.

The Municipality is urging communities especially men to go and vaccinate to protect themselves and their loved ones and to continue observing COVID-19 health protocols.

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Media Enquiries:

Mr. Luncedo Walaza: Acting Head of Communications

Cell: 078 429 0183 e-mail: LWalaza@matatiele.gov.za

Issued by Matatiele Local Municipality

PUBLIC NOTICE: POWER OUTAGES EXPERIENCED AFTER LOAD SHEDDING

Matatiele Local Municipality hereby wishes to advise residents that as Eskom continues with load shedding, some areas may experience power outages after the power has been restored by Eskom.

This is due to overload as a result of the new Khotsong TB Hospital connection. In the efforts to restore power (as a short-term intervention), customers are then gradually switched on. The restoration time is usually 30-40minutes. As a long term solution, the municipality is finalizing the construction of a new substation, which will de-load the existing substation.

We apologise for the inconvenience that will be caused by this interruption.

Public notice – Electricity outages

#COVID19 #SaferHolidays

The Easter long weekend is around the corner. It is a time when many South Africans travel around the country to visit family, friends or for religious purposes. It is also a time when there are increased traffic volumes on our roads.

Unfortunately this period usually sees a high rate of road accidents and fatalities. This is concerning for government because most road accidents can be prevented and are caused by human error.

The root causes of these accidents are driving under the influence of alcohol, excessive speeding, not wearing seatbelts, dangerous overtaking, talking on the phone while driving, un-roadworthy vehicles and pedestrians failing to observe traffic rules.

This year our country also has to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 remains with us and is spread through contact with others, particularly at events or gatherings where there are a large number of people. During this Easter holiday we must strictly adhere to social distancing, wearing a mask at all times in public and washing our hands with soap and water or sanitiser.

“Stay Safe: Act responsibly and stay protected, always”

Let’s respect the rights of disabled people

Human Rights Day is observed annually on the 21st of March 2021 and Matatiele Local Municipality hosted the human rights awareness programme targeting children in Dengwane village, Ward 6.

The ward was identified as one of the areas in need of education about the rights of disabled people & there is high rate of abuse towards this sector.

The programme was hosted on the 24 March 2021, where Cllr. Zolile Bono handed over sanitary packs to girls from Isipho SamaHlubi NGO.

#SIPHUSHILE

#LetUsGrowMatatieleTogether

#StaySafe