Gauteng and Joburg leaders agree to put people first

The first one-on-one meeting between Gauteng Premier David Makhura and City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Herman Mashaba, was productive and cordial, according to a statement issued by the City of Johannesburg. The meeting, held yesterday, paved the way for a collaborative and cooperative relationship between the City and the Province. 

A collaborative and cooperative relationship between the different spheres of government is a constitutional imperative, which is based on the best interests of the people of both Johannesburg and Gauteng Province, the statement continues.

Both parties agree that it is vital to put their residents first, regardless of their party political differences, and that they are first and foremost servants of the people.

Their top priority, and shared commitment will be to address unemployment and achieve inclusive economic growth.

Other areas of collaboration and cooperation will include:

1. The Inner City regeneration project where collaboration around issues of policing, transport, housing and cleaning would produce better results. There is a mutual commitment to priorities this project to unlock the potential of the Inner City and stimulate economic growth. In this regard a working group of MMCs and MECS will be established as a matter of urgency.
2. Collaboration around the allocation of completed houses from both provincial and municipal governments and the speeding up of the issuing of title deeds. Both parties recognised that this issue is of paramount importance.
3. Health collaboration between the City and the Province including supporting the City’s initiative of a pilot project to assess the viability of extending operating hours in primary health care facilities.
4. Support greater coordination and integration of public transport initiatives between the City and the entire Province.
5. Debt management to ensure that money owed to municipalities is recovered, including resolving disputes pertaining to the billing system by the debt management committee, composed of both the treasuries of the City and the Province.

The statement concludes that both the Premier and the Mayor appreciate the spirit of the meeting and commitment to a good working relationship that will benefit the people of both the City of Johannesburg and the Gauteng Province.

Following this meeting a provincial team will visit the City of Joburg to discuss the detailed plans of the City and share the plans of the Gauteng Provincial Government.