Ward delimitation meetings begin
By Tabisa Mntengwana
11 November 2009
IN preparation for the 2011 local government elections, Buffalo City will begin its ward delimitation public consultations today.
Among others, the first consultations will be held at Berlin Hall and Ilitha Community Hall at 3pm, and Nolizwe Mnyaka Community Hall in Zwelitsha and Mdantsane Indoor Sports Centre at 5pm.
According to a press release issued by the municipality, ward delimitation is also a preparation for it to become a metropolitan city by 2011.
During the delimitation process, the number of wards will be increased from 45 to 50 “due to the requirements of the Municipal Demarcation Board”, explains the municipal spokesperson, Samkelo Ngwenya.
Consultations with communities will take place from 11 to 24 November. “Wards in the City will be clustered in an equal manner that will encourage easy consultations between councillors, officials and residents,” reads the press statement.
At a workshop in mid-October, the Municipal Demarcation Board also proposed that Buffalo City should have 100 councillors by 2011 as part of gaining metro status. It now has 90 councillors.
According to the board’s chief executive officer, Hillary Monare, citizens must engage with their proposed ward boundaries and make recommendations.
A metropolitan city has a common property rating and service tariff and a single metropolitan budget. The municipality may also decentralise powers and its functions when it becomes a metro.
In metropolitan areas, there is also a choice of two types of executive systems: in one, the executive authority is given to the mayor and in the other, collective executive powers are given to the executive committee.
In 2008, the board confirmed that Buffalo City would become a metro in 2011. The board’s main function is to determine municipal boundaries in accordance with legislation and to advise municipalities on demarcation matters.
Areas that will be visited during the Ward Delimitation Awareness and Consultation Process include Dimbaza, Bulembu, Mdingi, Beacon Bay, Gonubie and the city centre.
Contact us:
