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Are we on a slippery slope to “Kaka land”?

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Let us Summarise today’s adjustments budget below for you:

  • R600 Million – for poor people
  • R400.8 Million for service delivery

Are we on a slippery slope to “Kaka land”?

Today the Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor, Councillor Babalwa Lobishe, at a Special Council Meeting presented her adjustments budget with these words:

Today, I present the Adjustments Budget for the 2024/25 financial year—a budget that remains fully funded and break-even, ensuring that we continue to prioritize critical service delivery projects that directly impact our communities.

In this budget, we have allocated:

R600 million to support indigent households, ensuring that our most vulnerable residents receive the assistance they need.

R72.9 million for road upgrades, R87.8 million for gravel road tarring, and R33.6 million for resurfacing, reaffirming our commitment to improving mobility and infrastructure across the Metro.

R28 million for bulk infrastructure development, ensuring that our city continues to grow and expand sustainably.

R53 million and R89 million in disaster grants to aid the recovery efforts in Kariega, addressing the devastating impacts that recent disasters have had on our communities.

R26.5 million in rollover funds [Editor: we have a different name for ‘rollover’ – ‘slush’] to sustain ongoing projects and prevent delays in essential service delivery.

R22.4 million for electricity upgrades, including the Walmer-Summerstrand powerline and remote metering, to enhance energy security and reliability.

R2.5 million for Cable Yard security and R10 million for bucket eradication, ensuring that we continue our mission to improve sanitation and the dignity of our residents.

While we acknowledge the challenges we face—including low revenue collection, rising debt, and spending delays—we remain steadfast in our commitment to improving service delivery. These budget adjustments reflect our dedication to building a responsive, people-centered government.

Furthermore, as we approach Human Rights Day, we are preparing to commemorate the Kwa Langa Massacre, an important moment in our history that reminds us of the sacrifices made for the freedoms we enjoy today.

Let us continue working together—government, business, and communities—to build a better Nelson Mandela Bay for all.

 

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.