WHEN the new Ndlambe executive committee (exco) met on Tuesday, with new mayor Phindile Faxi in the chair, the members sometimes struggled to find their feet with their new duties.
The other exco members are councillors Ray Schenk, Thembani Mazana and Nosicelo Xhasa. Following the local government elections in August, only Schenk has survived as an exco member, and the new members seemed excited but a little unsure as to what their roles would be in the newly constituted exco.
Faxi began by admitting that he had a problem in proposing and seconding the minutes of the last exco meeting as only Schenk was present.
“Will you both propose and second the adoption of the minutes?” Faxi mused. This matter was resolved when infrastructure director Noluthando Vithi, who was standing in for municipal manager Rolly Dumezweni, seconded the minutes.
Faxi gave an outline of what he expected of the exco, and how services to the people would be improved.
Firstly, Faxi wants to identify the owners of the land parcels lying along the R72, east and west, to build houses for the middle-income groups such as nurses, police officers and teachers who are currently renting RDP properties in the area.
Faxi also mentioned the problems of encroachment, and how this has caused considerable bitterness in neighbours who used to be friends.
The challenge of underground water is also an issue raised by Faxi.
“This happens throughout Ndlambe,” said Faxi. “In some areas there are doubts if this is not caused by old underground pipes.”
As far as revenue collection is concerned, Faxi wants to begin “healthy competition” among councillors to encourage better revenue collection and to reduce the outstanding money owed by residents.
“I further request a comprehensive report on all revenue collection activities or service performed by various groups of people,” said Faxi.
Faxi also spoke of the centralisation of supply chain management, the establishment of the intergovernmental relations structure, the establishment of dates for organisational strategy planning sessions, and a review of the delegation register.
Faxi also wanted to establish training committees to ensure that all employees working in the municipality have adequate training.
Another issue Faxi raised was that of mainstreaming HIV/Aids awareness throughout the organisation, saying the pandemic was not an individual’s problem, but one that affected the entire organisation.
He said he would be investigating the relationship with other sectors in combatting the spread of the disease.
