The Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality aims to create a utopia for its residents around Bloemfontein, Thaba Nchu and Botshabelo.
The municipality held a communication forum whereby municipal spokesperson, Qondile Khedama, among others, alluded some of their ideas, although he highlighted that many are still in the planning phase. These plans, aimed to create a better Metro for all who live in it, encourage water conservation, racial dialogue and participation in the Bram Fischer Week.
Khedama was addressing municipal stakeholders comprising various media houses, higher learning institutions, banks, and public and private entities. The forum was held at Mangaung’s municipal offices, at the Bram Fischer Building in Bloemfontein. He explained that the planned activities are part of the Metro’s aim to strengthen relations between the Metro, its stakeholders and residents.
Some of the planned events and expansions mentioned, are:
Mangaung is currently working on a programme with the University of the Free State’s (UFS) “International Institute for Studies in Race, Reconciliation and Social Justice”, to hold a dialogue on racism.
The Metro’s HOD, Mpho Mokoena, further highlighted at the forum that the municipality is embarking on a compact approach in all planned precinct developments to become mixed developments. Mokoena also mentioned plans of a new regional hospital that will possibly be located between Church Street and Vereeniging Drive. He said they are planning to open the old Thaba Nchu airport that will be an aviation school for future pilots and they have been in discussions with higher learning institutions for additional campuses across the municipality.
Plans for the official launch of the new FNB offices in Nelson Mandela Drive were also revealed.
Mangaung will be hosting the Bram Fischer Week in April. Some of the activities will include a Bram Fischer marathon, Bram Fischer memorial lecture, a launch of Bram Fischer exhibitions and a fun walk to the Nelson Mandela statue on Naval Hill where Bram Fischer medals will be awarded.
The Metro wants to encourage residents to continue using water sparingly and to participate in water conservation activities they will be embarking on. One of these plans, although Khedama reiterated that the issue is still in the pipeline, is a cartoon series that will focus on water conservation. The municipality plans to implement a comic series, ideally with Mayor Thabo Manyoni as one of the main characters that will project a message for residents to save water. – REFILWE GAESWE
refilwe@centralmediagroup.co.za
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