Effective oversight goes a long way

Service delivery is at the heart of all municipalities’ mandates and guiding frameworks. Effectively bringing new services to those who most need them while ensuring the level of existing services remains high and efficient is a delicate balancing act the City of Ekurhuleni seeks to maintain.

The City of Ekurhuleni has undertaken the coordination of the provision of interim basic services in the municipal area’s 119 informal settlements, including reblocking where applicable, in its endeavours to implement its Pro-Poor Agenda. The various services delivery departments in the City render services such as waste management, roads and stormwater, disaster management, health, water and sanitation. HEALTHCARE The City established a number of key service delivery priorities during its 2020/21 reporting period, including the reduction of HIV transmission from mother-to-child – to below 2% – and increased access to antiretroviral therapy by increasing the number of eligible patients, thus increasing the life expectancy of citizens in Ekurhuleni.

During the reporting period, a motherto-child HIV transmission rate of below 2% was achieved, which could also be attributed to, among others, improved implementation of the Prevention on Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV Programme interventions and proper policy implementation and monitoring.

WATER AND SANITATION The City, through its Water and Sanitation Department, had budget cuts during this period, which affected most of its projects. Notwithstanding the challenges experienced, which among others included ageing sanitation infrastructure and an increasing demand for sanitation services, the City recorded commendable progress. The City continued to maintain the Blue Drop standard status of above 95% with regard to water quality compliance. Some of the key performance highlights included

the provision of chemical toilets in informal settlements.

Access to dignified, hygienic and sustainable sanitation services in Ekurhuleni remains a key priority to attract investors to grow the economy and be inclusive of informal settlements. There has been an unfortunate growth in informal settlements in the municipal area, which fosters demand for chemical toilets. With the densification of urban areas through informal settlements, greywater management affects settlements’ living conditions and the surrounding environment. Despite this population growth and densification, sanitation service has been improved to a service ratio of 1:5 families, significantly down from the previous figure of 1:10. While this seems to be an acceptable level, it is not sustainable in terms of cost, especially as the service is outsourced. This still needs to be further improved to attain a 1:1 ratio of services.

BASIC SERVICES The City of Ekurhuleni committed to broadening access to improved, dependable and impactful basic services as part of its pro-poor focus. The City made worthy strides in extending the provision of basic services to the poorest communities residing in informal settlements while maintaining good service provision in areas where services had long been provided. Resolving service blockages speedily and addressing service backlogs took centre stage during the previous financial year.

The City also focused on improving the infrastructure that supports the provision of basic services. This entailed the repairs, replacement and upgrading of water and sewer infrastructure to ensure consistent and predictable supply of basic services.

The City also implemented a number of programmes pursuant to improved refuse collection, recycling and disposal. During the last financial year, the City adopted a decentralised model for the delivery of refuse collection services at 10 depots responsible for the catchment areas, through 20 customer care areas.

GOOD GOVERNANCE The City of Ekurhuleni has identified, in its strategic plans, the building of good governance as one of its priorities. Effective governance, maximum efficiencies and effective service delivery will be derived if corporate governance becomes a culture that is entrenched at every level of management. To achieve this, it is vital that better awareness of the principles of good corporate governance is created throughout the City and its entities. Municipal entities are independent external mechanisms that perform municipal services on behalf of the City and form part of the municipality’s institutional arrangements. Despite their independence, the City remains legislatively obliged to ensure that municipal services are delivered in accordance with its objectives and legislative mandate.

Effective service delivery depends on the City, its entities and partners to work towards a common purpose.

HITTING TARGETS During the 2020/21 financial year, the City of Ekurhuleni committed to a total of 100 targets across the ambit of its operations as unpacked in its Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan (SDBIP). Against these commitments, 76% of its targets were achieved, while 24% were not achieved. The committed targets were contributed by the 26 departments and entities for the citywide SDBIP. Of the 26 departments and entities that committed to the targets, 11 departments achieved 100% of their planned targets. Three departments and two entities achieved 50% and less of their planned targets, with the Brakpan Bus Company and Service Delivery Coordination achieving none of their planned targets.

OFFERS THE PERFECT GETAWAY FOR BUSINESS AND LEISURE

Sun International’s Carnival City Casino in Gauteng is a playground destination for families and business travellers alike.

Located on Johannesburg’s East Rand, and with easy access for those travelling to or from O.R. Tambo International Airport, the complex truly lives up to its name as a fun entertainment venue for all.

Carnival City hotel offers 105 four-star rooms, from standard rooms to junior and king suites, as well as accessible accommodation, conveniently within MAIN ATTRACTIONS The central attraction is undoubtedly the world-class licensed casino, with its exciting variety of casino slots and table games, comprising American roulette, blackjack, baccarat and poker. From Group-wide tournaments to property-specific promotions and draws, there are always prizes aplenty to be won.

easy access to popular shopping precincts and malls.

Under Carnival City’s big top tent, visitors encounter all the exuberance of a travelling circus and fairground – jesters, rollercoasters and bright, bold colours all compete for sensory attention. At Carnival City, dreams can come true and your inner child can come out to play.

And not just for the punters in the casino, but for the entire family. Carnival City is a convivial place where your inner jester will feel right at home and the whole family – from the youngest to the oldest – can have fun, fun and yet more fun.

From the regular concerts, and other family-oriented events, coupled with a great selection of restaurants and other entertainment venues, it all blends together to serve up a feast of fun for everyone, seven days a week.

EVENT SPACES When it is time to press pause on the fun, Carnival City offers a convenient and cost-effective multi-venue conference and banqueting destination. The complex boasts up to 10 individual conference venues from which one can host corporate seminars, banquets, exhibitions, fashion shows, product launches, team-building events and more. The 3 500-seater Big Top Arena has played host to some of the biggest shows in Gauteng, including local and international acts such as James Blunt, Chris Rock, Russell

Peters, Katie Melua and Barry Hilton. It is also ideal for gala dinners. The Rio Hospitality area is perfect for conferences, workshops, corporate galas, award dinners, launches, private functions and wedding receptions, while the Festival Lawn takes advantage of Johannesburg’s climate to host live outdoor events from motorsport festivals to shows like the Great Moscow Circus and the Aussie Circus Spectacular, which delighted and thrilled.

The Mardi Gras Theatre is an entertainment venue with a capacity of up to 500, which hosts different theatre shows, comedies and musical events. THE FUN NEVER ENDS There is energy at every turn: from the ringing and flashing of the arcade games at The Magic Company to Lazer Zone, 10-pin bowling, X-Rider and go-kart racing. Funfair rides are available on weekends at the Pocket Park.

Ster-Kinekor boasts six theatres featuring the latest blockbusters. Friendly, professional childminders at the Kidzone Creche also give parents an opportunity to relax while they look after kids aged 4 to 12.

The property offers dining to suit everyone’s tastes, through a wide selection of restaurants and fast-food outlets. Carnival City encapsulates a fairground foodie vibe.

Carnival City is the ideal playground to share a drink with someone special or have colourful cocktails with friends and colleagues.

Designed as the perfect conference, play and stay destination, Carnival City has it all.

A retail paradise

East Rand Mall opened its doors in 1992 and has become a popular shopping destination for the residents of Boksburg, Benoni, Brakpan, Kempton Park and further afield.

East Rand Mall is a 68 000 m2 regional shopping mall situated a mere 7 km from South Africa’s busiest airport, O.R. Tambo International Airport. Located off the R21 on Bentel Avenue, this mall serves as a gateway to the greater Boksburg area. The mall’s well-planned tenant mix includes all of South Africa’s major chain stores, as well as a host of smaller specialised clothing stores, making it a fashion must-see destination on the East Rand.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE You’ll find a range of entertainment options at East Rand Mall – among them a kids’ cinema area and seven-cinema centre, a Galaxy Bingo, restaurants and coffee shops. The mall has over 160 stores and a parking area consisting of 1 489 covered and 2 359 open spaces. There are accessible disabled parking bays at each entrance.

As one of the retail pillars in the East Rand, the mall is always looking for ways to improve the shopping experience available to shoppers. Redefine Properties and Vukile Property Fund, East Rand Mall’s owners, undertook a major renovation project in 2015.

By redeveloping the mall, an additional entrance was added, increasing the overall floor size and finally combining the old (state of the art in the 1990s) with a more modern global design.