West Rand mayor's 'state of the district' address

Councillor Mpho Nawa, Executive Mayor of the West Rand District Municipality (WDRM - which includes Munsieville) gave a 'state of the district' address recently, discussing some of the key achievements from the last year. His speech covered the delivery of basic community services, health and social development, as well as goals for the future. Some of the main points were:
• Approximately 30 000 permanent housing units have been constructed in the West Rand District since 1994, at an average rate of approximately 2 000 units per year. This number excludes serviced stands with no permanent structure.
• WRDM is currently refurbishing street lights with energy-saving globes and installing high mast lights in townships.
• Provision of four health clinic containers (one per municipality).
• Purchase of medical equipment and linen for all clinics.
• Purchase of 28 immunisation fridges for all clinics that are open five days or more per week.
• The annual target of 196 826 people tested for HIV/ Aids per year is being achieved.
• 117 youths from Zenzele, Zuurbekom, Rietvallei 1, Magaliesburg, Munsieville and Mohlakeng were trained on the course for youth- and child-headed families.
• 7,451 women have been trained on their rights regarding gender violence and child abuse.
For the future, the WRDM highlighted the following objectives in its 'West Rand Manifesto':
• To merge into a single B1 municipality by 2016.
• Work towards becoming a unicity (metropolitan form of government) by 2025.
• Become the greenest district in South Africa.
• Utilise the green economy to grow the GGP of the West Rand.
• Implement increasingly-shared services district-wide.
• Create jobs to combat poverty and dependence.
• Build a united and prosperous non-racial society.
• Commit to training and skilling of our communities.
• Build better neighbourhoods throughout the district, with equitable access to municipal services.
• Ensure effective and accountable councillors.
• Improve the quality of life for all.

Read more about Project HOPE's work in Munsieville here.