Mayor speaks frankly on Mogale City's troubles, shares optimism
In his maiden State of the City Address, Mayor Lucky Sele openly acknowledged the municipality's pressing challenges, including significant service delivery backlogs, deteriorating infrastructure, and other ongoing issues, but reassured residents that there is hope for recovery and progress through planned interventions and renewed commitment.
• Read the initial article here: Municipality to deliver State of the City Address
The News will provide a detailed breakdown of the key points discussed during the State of the City Address (SOCA) to help the public better understand the mayor's message and plans.
Sele opened SOCA by stating that they gathered not just to account, but to acknowledge the journey of a city that refused to surrender to the weight of its own challenges, where everyone tells a different story, not of despair, but of defiance against decay; not of failure, but of a people and a municipality that have begun to shift the tide.
'What once seemed inevitable, financial instability, service delivery backlogs, crumbling infrastructure and lost hope, has begun to give way to a new horizon. A horizon shaped by action, accountability and a renewed contract between the city and its people.
We are steering Mogale City toward restoration, regeneration and resilience,' he stated.
He mentioned that this year's SOCA took place in June, recognised as Youth Month, and explained its historical importance and impact.
'This address takes place against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving socio-economic landscape, locally and globally. It is a time where we are called upon to be agile, responsive, and developmental in the face of fiscal constraints, service delivery pressures, and a growing demand for ethical, people-centred governance. We remain guided by the founding principles of the Freedom Charter, which this year marks its 70th anniversary, and by the enduring belief that the people shall govern,' he explained.
'The SOCA is not merely a report card – it is a clarion call for action, for responsiveness and for developmental governance that leaves no ward, no informal settlement, and no citizen behind.
Let us proceed, together, in service of the people,' he concluded.
In the second part of the series, the News will explain how the mayor addresses Infrastructure Development Service.
Have your say by sending an email to heinrichg@caxton.co.za.
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Until South Africa confronts the hatred that lives beyond its laws, Pride will remain a protest, not a celebration. * Tswelopele Makoe is a gender and social justice activist and editor at Global South Media Network. She is a researcher, columnist, and an Andrew W Mellon scholar at the Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice, UWC. The views expressed are her own. ** The views expressed here do not reflect those of the Sunday Independent, IOL, or Independent Media. Get the real story on the go: Follow the Sunday Independent on WhatsApp.
