The Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Cllr Solly Msimanga, gave a detailed report on Wednesday on the proponents that will drive the capital city to work again and enhance the quality of life of all its citizens in 2017 and beyond.
This report came on the eve of the first Council sitting for this year. Mayor Msimanga is energised and confident that his administration is up to the task of seeing the effective implementation of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP), the appointment of a permanent City Manager and dealing decisively with the spate of unprotected strikes in the City, which are mirrored by the ANC Caucus’ conduct in Council.
As the City marks the beginning of its legislative work for what will be a robust year, characterised by much progress and delivery on key items to ensure that the capital works for the people, Msimanga called on all its people to desist from being used as political pawns and rather take full advantage of the systems and mechanisms already in place to air their frustrations and grievances, and in so doing, support the City’s administration in carrying out its duties to create a better Tshwane; one that works for its people.
City Manager nominee
At the last Council meeting for 2016, I requested an extension of 60 days for the appointment of the incumbent Acting City Manager to allow the panel further time to apply its collective mind diligently ahead of the appointment of a permanent City Manager. The extension was for the purpose of not rushing a permanent appointment for this critical position, which is vital for the change we need to bring to the city while still maintaining the stability the city needs.
Appreciating the importance of such an appointment and the interests of good governance, we were duty-bound to satisfy ourselves beyond a shadow of a doubt that all candidates, their CVs, interviews and experience were properly interrogated and considered.
This was for the sole purpose of ensuring that no mistakes were made because it is ultimately in the best interest of the people of Tshwane, whom ought to be at the apex of all our consciences when making critical decisions and appointments such as this one.
I am glad to announce that the interview process has been concluded and we now have a nominee for the position of City Manager. The nominee is someone we strongly believe can fulfil the duties and responsibilities of the position of City Manager and assist us in bringing the desired change to Tshwane.
The name of the nominee that we will be taking to tomorrow’s Council meeting is Mr Moeketsi Emmanuel Mosola. Mr Mosola is a brand management and communication expert in tourism hospitality and sports management, with experience spanning over 20 years in both industries.
Mr Mosola was the CEO of Imperial Holdings’ Tourism and Passenger Transport Division, a position he held since 2009. He was a member of the Executive Committee of Imperial Holdings at group level. He was tasked with rebuilding Imperial’s interests in tourism and passenger transport through acquisitions and organic growth.
He was the CEO of South African Tourism from 2004 to 2009, responsible for the South African Tourism Brand Development Strategy and Business Plan and he was its COO from 2001 to 2004. While CEO of SA Tourism, he was also jointly appointed as Acting CEO of the International Market Council (IMC), now known as Brand South Africa.
Prior to joining SA Tourism, he was the Chief Director: Tourism Development with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism in Pretoria.
Mr Mosola’s academic qualifications include the following:
- University of Pretoria
Currently registered as a doctoral candidate for the study of Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Human Movement Sciences, The Business of Sport 2013–2016.
- University of Houston, Texas, USA
MA in Economics, 1999. This degree was evaluated by SAQA to be equivalent to a Master of Commerce in South Africa.
- Oberlin College, Ohio, USA
BA in Neuroscience and Psychology, 1993. This degree was evaluated by the HSRC to be equivalent to a BSc(Hons) in Neuroscience and Physiology.
Mr Mosola’s completed executive academic programmes include the following:
- Harvard Business School
Certificate Programme in Strategic Marketing, 2008.
- UCT Graduate School of Business and Duke University
A Certificate Programme in Emerging Leaders, 2002.
- Joint Certificate Programme
Wits, Western Cape, Fort Hare and Durban Westville Universities: Certificate in Management of Development Planning and Implementation, 1996.
- Harvard Graduate School of Design
Certificate Programme in Urban and Regional Planning, 1996.
- Institute of Public-Private Partnerships (IP3)
Certificate Program in Regulation of Public Utilities and Monopolies, 1996
We look forward to working with him in engaging some of the more challenging and exciting issues that are before us and that the City is working on to bring to the people of Tshwane.
We are confident that Council will confirm his nomination and we can continue the work we have already begun in earnest.
I would like to thank Ms Lindiwe Kwele who stepped up to the plate and served as the Acting City Manager after Jason Ngobeni resigned. For this we are grateful and will continue to work with her as the Deputy City Manager, a position which she served in before acting as the City Manager.
Unprotected strikes
Since the beginning of the new year, the City has had to deal with disruptive and unlawful protests, in part because employees allege they are being racially prejudiced. This is a separate matter which is being duly investigated as has been communicated, and potential action will ensue in due course once investigative proceedings have been concluded. In the main workers are demanding permanent job placements within the organisation.
The City has committed to investigate all charges brought to its attention through established legal platforms and strongly condemn the wholly unlawful manner in which these disputes have been handled thus far.
Msimanga reiterated that he “will not tolerate this unlawful conduct and will ensure that the full might of the law is exerted upon those who continue in their attempts to make the city ungovernable. They have not succeeded thus far. And they will not succeed in future. We will continue to make progress despite this protest action. Of that, I assure the people of Tshwane!
In any event, this will not deter the new administration from delivering on its promises to the people to deliver better services. If we accept and condone the often violent and irrational behaviour displayed by aggrieved individuals, then we may as well accept hooliganism, victimisation and reject the most fundamental principle of Ubuntu. This administration is founded on the principles of, first and foremost, respecting the rule of law.”
Integrated Development Plan (IDP)
The new administration is eager about the implementation of the IDP which is mirrored by fundamentals of the DA’s Local Government Election 2016 Manifesto and how this will bring the change that Tshwane needs.
DA-led governments care, and are lean, clean, responsive and citizen-oriented. Together with our communities, this administration will work to create more opportunities and jobs, make local government responsive, provide better service delivery, stop corruption, provide meaningful redress and make communities safer.
This will be realised under the supervision of the City’s capable Members of the Mayoral Committee who affirmed to work towards building a prosperous city by signing their performance agreement contracts for the 2016/17 financial year.