A strong contingent of political and institutional heavyweights filled the new Indoor Sports Centre in Extension 6 on Friday 5 December, as administrator Pam Yako outlined her turnaround strategy for Makana Municipality.
A strong contingent of political and institutional heavyweights filled the new Indoor Sports Centre in Extension 6 on Friday 5 December, as administrator Pam Yako outlined her turnaround strategy for Makana Municipality.
While the meeting, billed as a Service Delivery Summit, was relatively light on ordinary citizens, members of various civic organisations, Deputy Minister of Co-operative Governance Obed Bapela, Rhodes University Vice Chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela, Acting Superintendent General of Local Government and Traditional Affairs Ngwadi Mzamo, Bishop of Grahamstown Ebenezer Ntlali and Sara Baartman Municipal Manager Ted Pillay put their weight behind the intervention plan.
During her presentation Yako emphasised that for the intervention to work, it needed the support of members of the community.
"I am excited about the level of enthusiasm I have been shown by various stakeholders. We should parter in restoring the image of Makana," Yako said.
"The vision of the municipality is fascinating because it says 'Makana…a great place to be'," she commented.
"I feel excited about today. The turnout was good and the support was overwhelming," Yako told Grocott's Mail afterwards.
"We had the deputy minister from National Government to give a message of support, we had people from the district municipality. We even had councillors and ward committee members.
"There couldn't have been a better outcome than this. I suppose the work now is how we move forward and make things to happen," Yako said.
Bapela said he was satisfied that there was something being done about the Kabuso forensic report.
"Indeed, those people who are mentioned in that report must give their side of the story," Bapela said. "This is a serious issue."
In pledging his support on behalf of Rhodes University, Mabizela said they were aware of the challenges faced by the municipality. "We think the state that we are in now requires quite a level of maturity… from politicians to ordinary residents," Mabizela said.
"This is not an opportunity to point fingers. It is not an opportunity to throw stones, but an opportunity to build." Grocott's Mail will report in detail about the summit in the coming week.
