By Nangamso Mabindla
02 October 2007

RESIDENTS will have an opportunity to voice their service delivery concerns when Executive Mayor Zintle Peter visits Buffalo City wards during her Mayoral Imbizo.

Launched in October 2006, the annual Mayoral Imbizo is held to highlight the City's challenges, future opportunities and strategies to improve public confidence and government commitment.

Another objective 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.

The city's communications manager, Darby Gounden, said that during this year's imbizo, the mayor would report on the achievements made since last year's meetings.

"This year's meetings will be used as an opportunity to present to the community and the public at large the work that is still outstanding in the three- to five-year period and also to give clarity and responses to issues raised by the public," Gounden said.

The imbizo meetings were "a commitment by Buffalo City's political and administrative leadership to create a space for its citizens to participate in the democratic process and social transformation unfolding in their areas".

"Participatory democracy is one of the eight components of good governance. This year we have adopted the theme, Renewing our pledge to create a city of hope and opportunity for all," Gounden said.

The Mayoral Imbizo will start on Wednesday, 3 October and run until Saturday, 21 October. Areas that the mayor will visit include Dimbaza, Mzintshane, Ilitha, Reeston, Needs Camp, and Ntsholomnqa.