Durban - New eThekwini mayor, Zandile Gumede, came in for harsh criticism from the opposition for delivering a “cut and paste” mayoral address at the council’s inaugural meeting on Tuesday.
Gumede was elected mayor at a marathon eight-hour meeting. During the election of the new Speaker, Lekgoa Mapena, Gumede, her deputy Fawzia Peer, Chief Whip, Nelisiwe Nyanisa, ethics chairman, Richard Hlophe and municipal accounts committee chairman, Thabani Luthuli, the DA fielded its own candidates.
The move meant secret voting, and this, with the counting and taking of oath, added up to nearly an hour for the individual positions.
But this did not spare Gumede criticism from the opposition over her speech, which it charged was riddled with old promises.
Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, said the new council should recommit to being the instruments and the will of the people.
“We need decisions that will continue to position eThekwini Metro as a world class metro. It is our time to continue ushering the transformation in the life of our people,” she said, congratulating the councillors on their election.
Delivering her mayoral address, Gumede said they “humbly” accepted the responsibility the electorate had given them. She said they would consolidate the work of the outgoing council and accelerate service delivery.
“We must reach for new heights and raise the bar through interventions that will change our city for the betterment of our people, we are aware that as an ANC-led city, all eyes will be on us.”
She said the city had to get the basics right: “Our streets must be clean, roads must be without potholes, waste must be collected weekly, our street lamps must work and households and business have regular power supply.”
Also on the list of priorities were issues of health and safety, water and sanitation. Gumede said there was a need for a “clear plan” to eradicate “slums” by reviewing the city’s housing model.
“We want to ensure those people living in floodplains, informal settlements and backyards receive priority from a development point of view.
“All new houses will comply with the National Home Builders Registration Council standards,” she said in an apparent reference to the massive funds spent fixing shoddily-built houses.
“Our appeal is that no new invasion of land should be tolerated. We will also urgently look at our housing policy to make sure the needs of the poor are taken care of.”
The city would crack down on corruption, and tackle the problems surrounding municipal buses.
Gumede also said the city was establishing a team of experts to assist with “catalytic projects”.
“I am excited about some of the mega-projects that are already up and running, including the multibillion-rand northern and western water aqueducts. These will ensure a steady supply of potable water in areas of concern,” she said.
Gumede also said the city would work with provincial government, the Passenger Rail Agency Of South Africa and others to build a high-speed train from King Shaka International Airport to Bridge City and the inner city.
Gumede said wi-fi infrastructure would be rolled out throughout the city.
She announced that Exco members would be made to sign performance agreements.
“Throughout our term, we shall keep lines of communication open and sustained with the electorate,” Gumede said.
But, the opposition was not impressed with what they described as familiar promises, made by her predecessor, James Nxumalo.
DA leader, Zwakele Mncwango, was scathing, saying, “There is nothing new that came from her. She cut and pasted the speech of James Nxumalo,” Mncwango said.
Mncwango also said the opposition awaited with keen interest the new things Gumede had to offer.
The IFP’s Mdu Nkosi echoed Mncwango’s sentiments.
“If you were to read Nxumalo’s budget speech, you will find that it (Gumede’s mayoral speech) is the same.
“Good governance is what we want to see as well as transparency and accountability,” Nkosi said.