CDM executive mayor delivers District Address
The Executive Mayor of the Capricorn District Municipality (CDM), Mamedupi Teffo, delivered her State of the District Address (Soda) at the Jack Botes Hall last Friday.
Teffo and other dignitaries were welcomed at the venue by drum majorettes lining the red carpet, and took to the podium in the hall that was packed with stakeholders and the public.
“On November 1, 2021 our people gave us a mandate to lead and provide sustainable basic services; develop infrastructure; achieve local economic recovery; fight poverty; improve spatial development and enhance financial viability. Today, we gather to account to the residents of our district on how we have responded to their plight, and to outline the programme of action for the next financial year,” Teffo said.
She said she is conscious of the current unfavourable socio-economic conditions in the district.
“I also table this address much aware of the demand for clean water by the remaining 11% of our population. We are also aware of the current remaining 33% of households that are without adequate sanitation,” the mayor explained.
“We started this new council with a renewed vision to build better communities together, in line with the ANC Manifesto and the Local Government Strategic Agenda. This is because when we accepted this responsibility, we pledged to demonstrate commitment, collaboration and collective leadership that is equal to the task at hand.
“This financial year was therefore a founding phase for this council to do its groundwork, familiarise itself with the demands and dynamics of governance and service delivery and orientate itself on the legislative framework, systems and governance structures of local government,” Teffo said.
Teffo explained that the municipality did its best since the beginning of this term, guided by national frameworks and mandates within the prism of the six Key Strategic Thrusts of Local Government, which are institutional transformation and organisation development, basic services and infrastructure delivery, local economic development, spatial planning and land use management, municipal financial management and viability, and finally, good governance and public participation.
The mayor proceeded to report on all the various strategies and the outcomes thereof.
Teffo emphasised that the council’s commitment to make a difference in the lives of the people is guided by that, as an accountable council and administration, it has reached an era where it can no longer make excuses for underperformance and a lack of delivery.
“We therefore acknowledge the labour and toil of those of our councillors who hit the ground running and employees who are working hard, to ensure that services are delivered to our communities,” Teffo said and thanked all the municipality’s stakeholders, the business sector, traditional leaders, sector departments, organised groupings and all other partners for their support. We hope that our partnership shall continue to soar to greater heights so that we can triumph over poverty,” she concluded.