Ndlambe Municipality led by Mayor Khululwa Ncamiso had a fruitful and interactive four hours long Mayoral Imbizo on Monday 24 April in Nolukhanyo Hall. The Mayor kicked off her profound presentation by highlighting some of the achievements accomplished in Bathurst while also acknowledging other unfinished projects which were also stated by the vocal residents.

DELIVERING SPEECH: Ndlambe Municipal Mayor Khululwa Ncamiso delivering the speech during the Ward 5 Mayoral Imbizo 2023/2024 IDP & Budget Done and Dusted Picture: TK MTIKI

Ndlambe Mayor Ncamiso mentioned two streets Xanti and Zola which will be done in July. According to the Mayor Zola Street will be done in phases.

Speaking about some of the achievements accomplished in Bathurst she mentioned three learners who were funded by the Ndlambe Municipality to further their studies at the university of their choice.

“I understand that three learners seem as a drop of water in the ocean but from those needy families that kind support goes a long way. Moreover, transporting learners from here (Port Alfred) to Pretoria is quite expensive when you live from hand to mouth,” she said.

Following complaints from the residents about the dirty area she said: “My clean-up campaign is currently underway. We started in Alexandria ward 1 and we are coming to Bathurst. I understand when there is overgrown trees and grass but when it is residents dumping and throw nappies everywhere I do not understand that. Neatness is something close to the body. You start by cleaning yourself.”

Echoing Mayor’s response on cleaning Director Nombulelo Booysen-Willy revealed that 29 street cleaners were employed in Bathurst by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

The residents further raised the issue of one clinic that serves Bathurst residents including the surrounding farms. In response Mayor together with the Municipal Manager Advocate Rolly Dumezweni said the issue of number of clinics situated in an area was outside the municipality’s jurisdiction but they would take the matter to the relevant departments. They went as far as urged the residents to register for voting saying such services are determined by the number of people appearing in voter’s roll.

Nonetheless, Mayor acknowledged some other hard lived realities like water shortages faced by the residents.

“I understand there is water problem and this problem is escalated by the Eskom Loadshedding higher stages. Our equipment is affected by the high stages of loadshedding. But we have bought generators as a mitigating mechanism.