Apart from heated contributions by frustrated residents, the golden thread was that Bloemfontein residents are prepared to work with the municipality to rebuild and restore the City of Roses. 

After recent water shortages and power outages, the Towers of Hope's Rev. De la Harpe le Roux singled out the hard work of Centlec's technicians. He expressed his gratitude for their efforts after hours to restore the power in the city. This was received extremely well and echoed by all residents in the meeting.

All together 30 Mangaung Metro officials were in attendance, including the Acting City Manager, AHODs, GMs, Managers, and support staff. “I am humbled that officials heeded the call and are in full support of this process – together we can do more,” said Council Speaker, Stefani Lockman-Naidoo.

“The role of political heads is to provide political direction and context to the issues affecting service delivery and our most vulnerable in society. They must motivate staff and increase their morale so that they come out of their offices and serve communities with diligence.”

A series of public participation meetings will now unfold to review the City's integrated development plan (IDP) and finalise the plan of action.

Ward councillors and officials will engage with communities across the city before the end of February and throughout March.

The IDP is a compilation of the wishes of the community. This plan is compiled, approved and budgeted for every five years to coincide with the term of the newly elected administration with an annual revision. The inputs of residents are of utmost importance. This is an opportunity to submit and motivate the needs and aspirations of suburbs and communities in order to secure the type of living standard residents envisage.

The Mangaung Metro invites all residents to the next public participation meeting on Tuesday 21 February 2023 at 17:30 in the Indaba Auditorium at the Bram Fischer Building, Nelson Mandela Drive, Bloemfontein.

Residents will be given a maximum of three minutes to present and motivate their submissions. It is advised that the metro be provided with an accompanying written submission. A resident will only be permitted to speak once during the event.

The current approved IDP & related policies can be viewed at: http://www.mangaung.co.za/.../2022/04/Draft-IDP-2022-2027-

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