By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider 

President of the African National Congress (ANC) Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that the work of ANC mayors will be effective as soon as they are elected into office and added that they will have 100 days to show progress in tackling pertinent issues. 

“Our representatives will develop a localised manifesto for every council, addressing the specific strengths and challenges of each community” said Ramaphosa. 

This announcement was announced on Sunday as part of the manifesto for ANC’s November 4 local elections. He went to acknowledge the failures of the ANC and has warned that mayors and councillors who should be in office will be removed from their positions if they fail to meet any mandates.

 The announcement took place at Riverside Park near the neighbourhood of Diepsloot, Johannesburg where Ramaphosa had outlined six key areas of focus for the party over the course of the next five years. 

Ramaphosa also stated that even though the ANC faces serious challenges they have also made significant progress in order to ensure that millions of South Africans have access to basic services. 

The first priority outlined by the ANC president is to provide access to water, electricity, roads and refuse removal as well-maintained infrastructure that will be functional and affordable to all.

 “Every community must have reliable water, sanitation, electricity, roads, refuse removal and well-maintained infrastructure as the foundation of dignity and development” said Ramaphosa.

 Ramaphosa also stipulated that the ANC-led government had achieved an outstanding turnaround in regard to the supply of water and electricity after experiencing 10 years of load shedding.

 “After more than a decade of persistent load shedding, we undertook extensive work and far-reaching reforms to restore the performance of Eskom and expand the country’s generating capacity,” said Ramaphosa.

 “Today, we have achieved more than 400 days without load shedding. We have eliminated load reduction in six provinces with significant progress in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal,” he said.

 Ramaphosa continued to announce that they will make sure electricity reaches every home and business without any further interruption and at affordable rates for families. He also said that over the span of five years, the ANC will strengthen municipal capacity and responsiveness. 

Municipalities will be expected to upgrade ageing infrastructure, fix any leaks, eliminate sewage spills and expand access to safe drinking water and sanitation. “We will reduce the reliance on contractors and progressively increase the capacity of municipalities to perform core functions” said Ramaphosa. 

The second priority for ANC is to create more employment and investment opportunities in cities, towns, townships and rural areas.

 “We will do more to create the conditions for investment enterprise growth, job creation and inclusive local economic development” he said. 

“Our cities, towns and villages must be places where people can find work, where workers can earn a decent income, where businesses can grow, and where entrepreneurs can build enterprises,” he continued to explain.

 Ramaphosa explained that over the next five years municipalities would digitise business services as well as improve turnaround times for planning approvals, building plans, rezoning and licensing. 

The third priority outlined is that the ANC will ensure safer streets, cleaner neighbourhoods and healthier communities. “Communities cannot thrive when people are afraid to use their streets, transport and public facilities,” he said.

 He stated that the ANC would work with communities and law enforcement and explained that Gender-based violence and femicide remain a national disaster and that he had established the National Council on Gender-based violence and femicide. 

The fourth priority outlined by Ramaphosa is to ensure that municipal finances deliver for residents. “Every rand collected from residents and every rand transferred to a municipality must be managed responsibly, protected from waste and corruption, and used to deliver services and improve communities,” said Ramaphosa. 

He also said that the party will seek to eliminate unfunded budgets, strengthen financial planning and improve audit outcomes across municipalities. The fifth priority outlined is well run and competent municipalities that are both ethical and accountable.

 “Public office must never be used for personal enrichment, political protection or access to public resources” said Ramaphosa. He stated that the party has taken affirmative action against corruption which includes the step aside rule and the Integrity Commission.

 Ramaphosa also outlined that the ANC has supported the expansion of the Public Service Commission’s mandate to cover local government.

 “These efforts have resulted in a number of State Capture and Corruption cases being brought to court and billions of rands in stolen funds recovered” said Ramaphosa. 

The sixth and final priority is to establish municipalities that account to residents and listen to community members. 

“Local government belongs to the people. Communities must have a real voice in decisions that affect their lives” said Ramaphosa.

 Ramaphosa stated that the party will work closely with the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) as well as other royal entities to strengthen its relationship with royal houses and traditional leaders