By Nangamso Mabindla
31 October 2006

THE two-week long mayoral imbizo kicked off in Mdantsane, in East London, when about 7 000 people converged on the Sisa Dukashe Stadium on Saturday, 28 October.

The programme was launched amid a festive mood, as people sang and danced. Municipal councillors; officials; the MEC for housing and local government, Sam Kwelita; and representatives from provincial government and business also attended the event.

The objective underlying the imbizo is to provide a platform for residents to take part in developmental local government and to participate in the City Development Strategy, a 20-year vision aimed at boosting the Buffalo City economy.

Speaking at the launch, Executive Mayor Zintle Peter said that the City was constantly engaged in a variety of processes aimed at becoming more responsive to the needs of its communities. "We adopt the view that we must use all the tools at our disposal to understand better what the masses are saying and thinking. This becomes even more important in reaching the majority in our communities who are poor."

Highlighting the City's challenges, current strategies and future opportunities, she said that the municipality would attempt to improve public confidence in the local government and government commitment to bettering people's lives.

"It was with this [community development] mandate in mind, when I took office as executive mayor in March this year, that I made a solemn pledge to accelerate the rate of development and service delivery," she said, adding that the imbizos were some of the steps she would take to understand the needs of the city's communities.

During the 18 imbizos to be held over the next fortnight throughout the municipal area, the municipality would be sharing what it had done, as well as many of the positive developments that communities could expect in the upcoming months.

"But, most importantly, we will be clarifying and responding to issues raised by the public," Peter said.

Ward committees are part of the City's commitment to inviting its people to participate in local government and the executive mayor also announced the newly elected 450 ward committees. Each of the 45 wards has 10 ward committees. Among other tasks, these interact with relevant groups like community policing forums and non-governmental organisations; play a resource and advice role for residents; and co-ordinate council programmes, especially regarding HIV and Aids.