Makana, Sarah Baartman plan better collaboration

Municipalities discuss challenges

Makana Municipality recently met with representatives from Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM) last weekend to discuss ways to improve cooperation between the two institutions.

“The discussions in the meeting were mostly centred on this cooperation with the anticipation that the SBDM will assist Makana Local Municipality with some of the challenges that it faces,” said Makana spokesperson Anele Mjekula.

“Part of what the meeting sought to do was to unpack the district’s support to local municipalities in general and how that support is measured.”

SBDM executive mayor Deon De Vos said it was important for the district municipality to work with its local counterparts to address the problems they faced.

“Various issues of concern were raised during the meeting. These included poor communication with residents and stakeholders, three consecutive disclaimers from the Auditor General’s Office, water supply challenges, illegal dumping, the state of the road network, sewer spillages and court cases against the municipality,” said Mjekula.

“Many encouraging developments and plans were also discussed during the meeting, such as progress in discussions regarding the rehabilitation of the taxi routes around Makhanda, clearing of illegal dumping sites, the fact that the Eskom arrear debt has finally been paid off and progress regarding funding for the upgrade of informal settlements.”

Makana executive mayor Yandiswa Vara thanked Sarah Baartman for their continued support and said she hoped to strengthen the collaboration between the two going forward.