By Nangamso Mabindla
30 May 2008

A RECORD operating budget of R2-billion was tabled by Buffalo City Executive Mayor Zintle Peter for the next financial year at the East London City Hall on Thursday, 29 May. The total budget is R3,1-billion.

The budget will focus on expanding delivery and speeding up change in disadvantaged areas like Duncan Village and Mdantsane. The balance of the budget, R1,1-billion, will go towards capital and operating projects.

“We have allocated an amount of R950-million to address basic service delivery and infrastructure challenges in the city, including urban renewal, housing, electricity, roads, waste water and refuse removal,” Peter said.

Of that, R113-million was allocated to the Duncan Village Redevelopment Initiative, while R215-million would be focused on the ongoing reconstruction of the urban fabric of Mdantsane.

“I want a Duncan Village that is redeveloped to become a place where people can live dignified lives, with access to basic services and employment opportunities. I want a Mdantsane that is transformed into a place where people can socialise, can play and can work safely,” Peter said.

Turning her attention to speeding up the integration of the Bhisho and King William’s Town corridor, Peter recommended that council approve R68-million to start the process.

“I want a Bhisho that is fully integrated with King William’s Town and reflects positively on the province and its capital.”

Waste management
Peter also urged the City to focus on improving waste management services and closing unlicensed disposal sites like Second Creek. She allocated R95-million to waste management services for the establishment of a waste transfer station and the closure unlicensed sites.

Another focus area was improving infrastructure in the municipal area to meet growing demand. “We are recommending a further R283-million be approved by the council for infrastructure development across the city.

“I am confident that there will be none who say that Buffalo City is not serious about taking the leap of faith that is necessary to meet the targets set by our own government for universal access to the minimum standards of water, electricity, sanitation and housing by the required dates.”

With the Regional Electricity Distributors getting off the ground, Peter said the municipality had not neglected the challenges facing the City’s electricity distribution network in its medium-term framework.

“An amount of R41-million has been allocated for a range of interventions aimed at providing the broader city with a sustainable electricity supply.

“It will remain one of our critical priorities to improve our demand-management in Buffalo City and to educate ourselves more fully about the economic and environmental value to be gained from more sustainable consumption habits and the use of renewable energy. One strategy the municipality is considering is the compulsory installation of solar heating in major new developments where this is affordable,” Peter said.

Rural areas
To ensure that delivery reached the 300 rural areas in the municipal area, she recommended that R94-million be approved for projects with a specific developmental impact in these areas.

Another area the city wanted to focus on was establishing its credentials as a base camp for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. “An amount of R67-million has been set aside to upgrade relevant infrastructure that hopefully will make Buffalo City an attractive proposition as a base camp for one of the competing teams.”

The cash would be used to upgrade facilities like the Absa stadium, Mdantsane’s Sisa Dukashe, the Gompo grounds, the Victoria grounds, the Bhisho Stadium and the planned Mdantsane multi-purpose centre.

To ensure that the City continued its focus on the empowerment of youth and women and other priorities in its 45 wards, Peter said R30-million would be consolidated with the R4,5-million annual ward funds.

She also said that the City enjoyed confidence from the national government.

“[The national government has] seen fit to increase resources to Buffalo City over the medium-term expenditure. These include an increase of over 25 percent in our Municipal Infrastructure Grant for the coming year as well as a massive 250 percent jump in equitable share transfers by the 2010-11 financial year.”

The mayor was convinced that Buffalo City was on the verge of growth and development that would benefit all its communities.

“And I believe and am committed to the best of my ability to making sure that the next three years will bring visible and tangible improvements to the lives of all of our people.”