MAKHADO – After being in the mayor's office for only four days, the newly inaugurated mayor of the Makhado Municipality, Cllr Rhulani Sarel Nkuzana, met with all Ward Committees and Ward Councillors within the borders of the Municipality at the Lapa Social Club on September7, to unveil a 100-day programme of action to speed up service delivery.

At the meeting, Cllr Phaswana introduced Cllr MI Mphaphuli and the new mayor, Cllr Nkuzana, as new office bearers in the council. Cllr Mphaphuli was appointed as the new Chief Whip as his predecessor Cllr Tseli was relieved from the position. The mayor said he wanted to ensure that council doesn't move alone on matters in the programme of action and service delivery, but to get all community stakeholders participating in all municipal activities. "The establishment of ward committees was done with the sole purpose of ensuring that the communities are participating in the decision-making process of the municipality. It is through these committees that the municipalities are able to fulfil their roles and obligations, as entrenched in the constitution of the country," he said. He stipulated that it is not a secret that a number of ward committees have started to neglect their responsibilities, leaving the municipality to decide for the people. However, he urged them to remember that they are the watchdogs of the interests of the communities, which means that their active role is always required. "I want to remind all ward committees that your continued participation is critical if the declaration made on June 26, 1995, is to be realised." he said.

The Mayor said that it is the obligation of councillors and officials to serve their communities, irrespective of their political affiliation, saying that they are public representatives who must ensure that they serve communities without taking sides. "It is a fact that the communities we claim to represent and come from, are our employers and have to be treated with respect and dignity," he said. Nkuzana further said that one of his tasks would be to ensure that there is unity, saying that racism and tribalistic practices stink and need to be curbed. "We must put aside our differences and become united in order that our communities obtain the maximum benefits of democracy. Irrespective of our political affiliation, we must always remember that it is our obligation to work for our own people," he said. With regard to HIV/Aids, he called upon people to spread the message of condomising or abstention. He said a programme would be developed by the local Aids council in his office to increase awareness.

"This epidemic has proved to be more disastrous, more than any war ever fought on this planet," he said. According to the new mayor, notices will be written in three languages at the Municipal buildings; in Tshivenda, Xitsonga and in either English or Afrikaans.

When asked about his plans with regard to allegations of fraud, corruption and mismanagement of money, he said investigations would be launched and whoever was found guilty would face the penalties, irrespective of political affiliation and the position held by that person. He said that media representatives must monitor his programme of action, adding that they must not only focus on negative matters that would not benefit the communities. "It is important for the mayor to meet with members of the communities, as we want them to make input and we are not going to meet with those who agree with us only, but also with the opposition. In the coming weeks, we are going to meet members of the opposition parties," he said.