Speech by Solly Msimanga Executive Mayor of Tshwane
These remarks were delivered by the Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Solly Msimanga, during an event to honoor the men and women in uniform in the Tshwane Metro Police Department and Emergency Service Department at Pilditch stadium. Msimanga was joined by Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Safety, Alderman Derrick Kissoonduth.
It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this meeting and address you our valued men and women in uniform.
I must add that you look absolutely virtuous.
We have called you here today to express our gratitude for the everyday risks you take to make our Capital City safer by clamping down on any and all crime and protecting us from the vicissitudes of everyday life and limb.
We are here today because of a mutual passion we share to make a difference in our society. These good deeds are the epitome of the City’s values and principles in building a safe, resilient, inclusive and liveable city.
This gathering is convened solely in recognition of the innumerable contribution you make in our everyday lives. We took time to come here to personally tell you that the City values the important work done by the personnel in uniform, who are seldom celebrated.
An organization/City without law and order is doomed to fail.
An organization/City without compassion for those in emergency or medical distress is equally ill-fated.
By virtue of this I hope you can appreciate the important role you play in building this city and leaving a positive legacy for generations to come.
Ladies and gentlemen,
There is little doubt in my mind that this force before me is one to be reckoned with. You play a central role in ensuring that Tshwane is safe, prosperous and thrives by offering professional emergency and law enforcement services.
However, this is not to say we have an easy task ahead of us.
One of the persistent challenges we are faced with as a community is the issue of substance abuse. This is a close matter to my heart as I have seen first-hand how these drugs destroy our youth. Their future looks bleak because of greedy, relentless drug lords hell-bent on illegally making money despite the dire and evil consequences of their actions.
In South Africa, levels of substance abuse continue to rise, and the age of first experimentation with drugs has dropped to ten years.
Ongoing joint intelligence-driven operations with SAPS and Crime Intelligence are taking place in all identified hotspots. In addition, complaints received from members of the public, media and social media are also followed up.
The drug trade, drug abuse and all associated crime are an issue that the City has been seized with and this is evidenced by the Anti-Drug Unit we established last year after assuming office. This unit has had some success and is continuously intensifying its efforts to get drugs off our streets everywhere in Tshwane, including the CBD.
We pledge to continue to conduct education and awareness sessions on substance abuse in schools throughout Tshwane to address the scourge on drugs and substance abuse.
On that note, I’d like to thank our members of the TMPD for the hard work and dedication they invest in rooting out this evil spirit and for fighting crime in our communities.
The City of Tshwane similarly values the importance of emergency services.
Just this morning, we officially opened the Heuweloord Emergency Services Station in Region 4 and handed over 18 Rapid Intervention Vehicles and the new ambulances for Emergency Services.
This is a demonstration of our determination to bring Emergency Services, a part of service delivery, to our communities.
We further showcased the human spirit as we recognized the dedicated men and women in uniform who have served the department and the City over many years, ranging from 30 to 40 years. This is a great milestone to achieve and we thank you for walking this journey with us.
In conclusion I would like to leave you with these words:
In all these endeavors, we are mightily guided by the word of the Lord, our father and savior.
This verse says to me, we should never lose sight of the centrality and importance of team work. Collectively, we can bring about the conditions that will draw order, peace and safety in our communities.
In everything we do over the next days, months and years, we should continue to focus on the bread and butter issues and the challenges that afflict our communities.
I dare you to be unique, dare to be excellent and make a difference wherever you can.
I wish to reiterate that this administration is committed to serving the people of Tshwane and together we can achieve this noble vision.
I urge all of us to continue to champion the spirit of companionships and excellence.
The people of Tshwane and the Capital thank you for this eternal gift.