Buda commits to improved service delivery with focus on water, roads, and economic growth
The Victor Khanye Local Municipality (VKLM) Executive Mayor, Cllr Vusi Buda, delivered the 2024 State of the Municipality Address (SOMA) at the Delmas Joheve Conference Centre on Friday, October 04, outlining the achievements, challenges, and priorities for the current financial year. The event was attended by a diverse group, including current and former mayors, Honourable Speakers, traditional leaders, directors, municipal managers, and senior officials. Pastors, Delmas First and Delmas Herleef members were also present, along with representatives from various political parties, including the EFF, AVPP, DA, FFP, and SACP.
Several prominent local mines and major corporations were also in attendance, alongside government departments such as Education, SAPS, Traffic, and Health and Social Services.
In his address, Mayor Buda highlighted the financial pressures facing the Victor Khanye Local Municipality, but he reassured stakeholders that the municipality is taking steps to improve its financial management. “Our operational budget for 2024/2025 is R807 million, with a capital budget of R59 million, bringing the total to R866 million,” he said. Although the budget remains unfunded due to debts owed to Eskom and Rand Water, Buda noted that efforts to improve revenue collection, currently at 72%, are ongoing. He also highlighted that grant allocations of R153 million make up 22% of the revenue, with the remaining 78% coming from consumer revenue through property rates and service charges.
The mayor emphasised the importance of service delivery, particularly in addressing water shortages and aging infrastructure. He pointed to recent investments in water treatment plants and the drilling of boreholes in rural areas to provide clean, reliable water. “We are committed to ensuring that every household in our municipality has access to water, and we are taking concrete steps to reduce water outages by 30%,” Buda said. He also outlined a water metering project aimed at addressing the municipality’s 58% water loss, with the installation of new meters and the replacement of faulty ones.
On the sanitation front, Mayor Buda expressed his gratitude to the Rand Water Foundation for its donation of 70 low-flush toilets to residents of Mimosa. “We expect to receive another 100 toilets this financial year, which will significantly improve living conditions for many of our residents,” he stated.
Electricity supply has also seen improvements, with the refurbishment of the Delmas Main and North substations, designed to comply with new technologies and reduce power outages. “We have constructed a new switching station to reduce fault-finding hours and ensure a more reliable supply,” Buda said. He noted that 193 households in Portion 61 have been electrified, and six high-mast lights have been installed in crime hotspots.
Mayor Buda also touched on road infrastructure improvements, with upgrades already underway in Delmas, Botleng, and surrounding areas. “We are working with SANRAL and private companies to ensure our road networks are well-maintained, which will enhance connectivity and boost local trade,” he said.
The mayor underscored the importance of local economic development, announcing a R2 Billion foreign investment in a steel manufacturing project. “This project, which borders Victor Khanye and Lesedi Local Municipality, is expected to create 1,000 jobs over five years,” Buda revealed. He also discussed the municipality’s partnerships with the agricultural sector, aimed at supporting emerging farmers and improving food security.
A key highlight of the event was the acknowledgment of local community organizations, Delmas First and Delmas Herleef, which have played a vital role in the revitalization of the town. The mayor praised their efforts, saying, “Through their initiatives, we have seen remarkable progress in street cleaning, road marking, and tree planting, which are helping restore pride in our community.”
However, not all reactions were purely positive. DA Ward Councillor Diana Bath expressed her concerns about certain aspects of the mayor’s address. “The mayor’s speech sounded all positive; however, he needs to put his money where his mouth is and provide services for the areas that are paying for services. So that is a bit of a concern, that more emphasis needs to be put on our roads and stormwater drains,” she said. Bath further stressed the need for municipal officials to be more efficient in addressing infrastructural issues. “We have many challenges, and they’re just not attending to all the areas in Victor Khanye, and doing what they’re supposed to be doing, especially the roads department,” she added.
In addition to these service delivery concerns, Bath raised questions about the financial implications of hosting events like SOMA outside the municipal office, given the ongoing struggles with paying for Rand Water and Eskom debts. “I’m just concerned about the costs of these events that are being held outside of the municipal office. We are already battling to pay Randwater and Eskom, and yet this financial implication is concerning,” she concluded.
Concluding his address, Mayor Buda called for unity and cooperation among all stakeholders to continue building a resilient and prosperous municipality. “Together, we can overcome the challenges we face and create opportunities for every resident of Victor Khanye,” he said.
