The much-anticipated State of the City Address for Mangaung is set to take place on 27 May at the City Hall in Bloemfontein, pending official confirmation.
Speaking to Bloemfontein Courant ahead of the address, Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality spokesperson, Qondile Khedama, outlined key issues the Executive Mayor, Gregory Ntatisi, will focus on, were drawn from extensive community engagement and budgetary planning.
“This year’s address is a culmination of the budgeting process. The Executive Mayor will outline a budget that prioritises basic service delivery, especially in light of the difficult economic conditions we’re facing,” said Khedama.
Khedama described the upcoming budget as “innovative” despite it being “shoestring”. It will aim to respond directly to the concerns raised by residents during the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) consultations. Core community complaints include deteriorating road conditions, inconsistent electricity supply, and overall unreliable municipal services.
“Communities expect the municipality to deliver uninterrupted services,” Khedama stated. “Road infrastructure, in particular, is a priority, because it has a ripple effect on the economy, especially the transport sector.”
The budget will also aim to boost local economic development. Khedama pointed to the recent investment summit, which focused on enhancing basic services to attract investors. “We’re tracking all issues raised during the summit. There’s a concerted effort by the Local Economic Development Department, in collaboration with Technical Services, to make sure we are ready for investors,” he explained.
Khedama also addressed concerns over the municipality’s historical underspending of grants. “One of the challenges we’ve faced is that not all grants are being utilised, which affects our overall performance. But the current senior management is working hard to build capacity to ensure we spend our grants effectively.”
The State of the City Address is expected to outline a three-year developmental plan, laying the foundation for more consistent service delivery and economic growth in the Metro.
Residents are urged to stay tuned for the official date confirmation and to follow the address for insight into how the city plans to tackle its most pressing challenges.
Justine Fortuin
