IN THE previous edition of Metro Ezasegagasini, we reported that the process of appointing the Municipal Manager was nearing completion. Residents will remember that the position of the City Manager had been vacant since June last year. This week I am excited to announce the appointment of Thompson Musa Mbhele as our new City Manager. During the interview process, Mbhele demonstrated a high level of experience and knowledge of strategic leadership in the municipal environment. He holds a Social Science Degree, Master’s Degree in Town and Regional Planning, Project Management Diploma, and BTech Degree in Business Management. 

He also has vast experience in local government and has been the Municipal Manager of Umzumbe Municipality. He was the Chief Operating Officer and Acting City Manager of eThekwini Municipality since July last year. On behalf of the people of eThekwini and as the leadership of the Municipality, we want to congratulate Mbhele as he assumes this critical post at City Hall. We do not doubt that this appointment will stabilize the administration of the City and bring confidence to all our stakeholders. 

I am also happy to report to residents, especially to the community of oThongathi that we are working tirelessly to complete repairs of the oThongathi Treatment Plant by October. Last week, together with the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Senzo Mchunu we had a meeting with residents to provide an update on additional plans that are in place to ensure residents have water coming out of their taps while repairs are underway. In the interim, there will be
a tie-in to the Mamba Ridge pipeline that will assist to direct two million litres of water a day from Hazelmere Dam to the
oThongathi area.

The Mamba Ridge tie-in is expected to be completed by 15 September. We have approached Tongaat Hulett Sugar Maidstone Mill to ask them to assist with boosting the water supply in the area so residents can have water running from their taps. In addition, Illembe District Municipality and Ndwedwe Local Municipality have also been approached to assist in boosting the water supply in this area. And finally, on 30 August we launched the Spring Clean-Up Programme. 

This will be a month-long intensive cleaning programme focusing on sprucing up the south, northern, and western areas of the City. The good thing about this initiative is that it is a collaboration between the Municipality and the business sector to optimise environmental awareness and the cleaning efforts in the City.