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OFFICIAL NEWSLETTERSPECIAL EDITION

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Life as we know it was extremely interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We all had to adjust to the new way of doing things and the Municipality was also not sparred in that regard. Upon the announcement of the national lockdown by President Cyril Ramaphosa, TCLM moved swiftly to establish the Local Command Council led by myself the Executive Mayor, which is responsible to hatch response strategies to combat the spread of the Coronavirus. The Municipality is also part of the Joint Operations Committee which is a multi-sectoral structure that develops interventions all geared towards flattening the infection curve.

Leading by example, the Municipality curtailed the normal operating hours and instructed non-essential staff to stay at home during the lockdown. Stringent measures were introduced such as screening and sanitizing members of the public visiting the municipal buildings and ensure that they observe the stipulated social distance. Various awareness campaigns were conducted through broadcasting, print and social media as well as through educational posters. I would like to applaud our community for their efforts and commitment to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations. As a direct result Thaba Chweu has recorded minimal Coronavirus infections in comparison to other areas in the province. The Municipality

FOREWORD BY CLLR FRIDDAH NKADIMENG, EXECUTIVE MAYOR

also identified areas to be used as quarantine sites should the need arise. At the time of going to press, according to the official COVID-19 infections dashboard, Thaba Chweu had registered 16 official cases, with 8 recoveries, 8 active cases with no fatalities.

To intensify the COVID-19 awareness campaign, and ensure the safety of the public, the Municipality in collaboration with

SANTACO implemented a fumigation programme of taxis and taxi ranks in Mashishing, Sabie, Graskop and Moremela. Sanitizers, face masks, and gloves were also distributed to the taxi operators.

The needy families bore the brunt of the effects of the ravaging pandemic. In this regard, my office solicited support from the private sector and local business in a form of food parcels for the vulnerable in our community. To this effect

the local business responded to the clarion’s call and donated over 1000 food parcels. My office is forever indebted to the philanthropic gesture by the local business. It really shows that theirs is a business with a conscience that responds to the needs of the community beyond profits. The Department of Social Development also distributed food parcels to ensure that needy families do not go to sleep in an empty stomach.

Access to water is critical in the fight against the spread of the Coronavirus. Some areas in Thaba Chweu are traditionally water stressed. We therefore welcome the relief from the Department of Water and Sanitation through the donation of four water tankers and 40 Jojo tanks with a 10 000 litres capacity to service the areas with

the most need.

The ‘new normal’ also saw the Municipality for the very first-time conduct virtual Council meetings and virtual public participation for the 2020/21 IDP and Budget to comply with statutory mandates and to the COVID-19 regulations.

The socio-economic impact of the pandemic is staggering. The dwindling in the demand for commodities has led to the threatening of jobs and the pending shutting down of the Glencore Lydenburg Smelter. The consequence of this unfortunate development will undoubtedly be dire for the economy of the town which is largely depended on the Smelter. It is our hope that an amicable solution could be reached by all concerned parties to avert what could be an economic catastrophe for our town.

COVID-19 did not deter us from rendering services to our people. The Municipality is currently implementing the road maintenance and rehabilitation plan that saw the successful rehabilitation of the busy intersection at Voortrekker and Viljoen streets. The rehabilitation of the De Clerq and Potgieter streets has also begun done in collaboration with Booysendal Mine. We also welcome the High Court judgement that ruled against heavy duty trucks from driving through the Lydenburg town. The heavy-duty trucks were largely responsible for the damage on our roads and other municipal infrastructure.

The Coronavirus will be with us for a very long time. As the lockdown regulations ease, we should not be complacent but continue to be vigilant by observing the relevant regulations. Let us continue to wear our face masks in public spaces, wash our hands with soap or use sanitizers and observe social distance. Walking around aimlessly should be avoided. It is indeed our responsibility to protect ourselves and others against this invisible enemy that is ravaging our country and the world.

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The financial year has ended with its toughest exercise wherein the leadership and management were perplexed with the astonished world-wide pandemic that warrants the municipal administration to reinvent the wheel in engaging on business unusual to comply with health protocols towards flattening the curve. Mention must be made that a plethora of regulations guiding operations of municipalities were gazetted through the Minister of COGTA. Thaba Chweu Local Municipality was not immune to the process to ensure compliance to the regulations and this reminds us of the words by David Allen when he said: “You can do anything, but not everything”.

The municipality managed through the Local Command Council led by the Executive Mayor to conscientize communities and stakeholders to observe health protocols solely to save thousands of lives. The Council of Thaba Chweu Local Municipality in its history conducted its business for the first time via virtual version to adopt 2020/21 IDP and Budget and its related policies on the 29th May 2020. Subsequently the Executive Mayor

ADMINISTRATIVE OVERVIEW BY MS. SS MATSI, MUNICIPAL MANAGER

approved the SDBIP as a legal prescript dictate and all section 56/57 managers had signed their performance plans and agreements accordingly. A tone was set in the Budget speech for 2020/21 by the Executive Mayor that: “We shall make efforts to tighten the loosen screws and to ensure full implementation of Audit action plan to deal with issues raised by Auditor General. We are very confident that if all of us play our role, victory is certain for the positive audit outcome”. We must indicate that much focus will be given to service driven departments to ensure quality of service in the highest tall order. We are pleased with the cooperation of the mining companies to ensure profound intervention towards rehabilitations of roads within our town herein Headquarters for safe travel and contribution towards economic growth through tourism. It is prudent to applaud the sterling performance of the Community Services Department to ensure full implementation of by- laws through our traffic officials who exercised their will power to confront defaulters to be within the parameters of law. In this regard we have seen some owners of bulk

carriers passing by Lydenburg taking the municipality to the court to seek relief by continuing with defaulting our by-laws and the judgement was awarded in favour of the municipality to continue with the right thing. We urge all motorists to fully comply with by laws and other traffic rules for purposes of safety.

MUNICIPAL PERFORMANCE We are encouraged by Herman Melville who says: “It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation”. To this effect the municipality continues with the implementation of capital projects year in and year out to improve the state of infrastructure through the assistance of service providers to ensure ward priorities are realized. The citizens can attest the cardinal role played by the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality to provide better and quality services despite the revenue challenges the municipality is battling with. We commit to addressing the bad state of our roads through the available funds for repairs and maintenance to make strides in patching potholes throughout our towns during the new financial year 2020/21.

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AC PIPELINES IN GRASKOP TO BE REPLACED

HUMAN RESOURCE CAPITAL The municipality is currently operating with acting arrangements on senior management level and efforts will be put together to expedite the recruitment process with indulgence of the Council. It is unequivocal that this brings a bit of instability to unlock some bottle necks encountered and we shall reinforce with competent staff to form part of management team whom we believe will contribute positively towards attaining planned targets and institutional objectives. The management will strive to work untiringly in steering the wheels in the right direction to achieve the predetermined objectives effectively and efficiently. However, this can only be realized through sound teamwork, hence it was once said: “Good leaders are trailblazers, making a path for others to follow”.

CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMSThe municipality was pumped up by the words of Eleanor Roosevelt when she said: “Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people’’. We remain committed to train both Employees and Councilors with relevant skills solely in preparing them to adapt with new methodologies applied in Local Government setup. Furthermore, we have managed to enroll eleven (11) Councilors; and forty (40) senior officials to attend CPMD/MFMA with Wits University to kick start in the new financial year (2020/21). We believe that the remainder of other councilors and employees will

continuously be enrolled in various skills programs as guided by the approved Works Skills Plan.

READINESS AND PREPARATIONS FOR AUDIT PROCESS

It is time for municipalities to prepare annual reports and financial statements for audit purpose as legal prescripts dictates. During the previous financial year 2018/19 the municipality maintained an improved audit opinion which poses a serious peril and challenge to management not to regress. However, maintain and improve the monumental achievement and further commit to stick on our rituals in convening weekly Audit steering committee meetings to curtail disturbances as far as audit processed are concerned. We will continuously employ other mechanisms to improve towards the unqualified Audit opinion throughout this audit process and put more effort in contributing towards attaining improved financial state. Mention has to be made that with the right combination of traits, skills and attributes Thaba Chweu Local Municipality will continue to surprise many of its detractors and become one of the best local government sphere of Governance model the world will benchmark against.

With all the accolades attained in the year passed by, we need to heed the advice of the writer Eleanor Roosevelt who once said: “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you can’t do”. These words of wisdom

A site handover meeting was recently held in Graskop with Isiphethu Water Services who are contractors appointed by the Municipality to replace the AC Pipelines in the town. The aged pipes will be replaced to improve the water distribution system in the area. The project is funded by the Department of Water and Sanitation and it is anticipated to take 12 months to complete.

Cllr Friddah Nkadimeng, Executive Mayor presiding over a site handover meeting for the Graskop ac pipeline replacement project with councillors, officials, the contractor and consultant.

are grandly suited to the situation we find ourselves in as we cannot afford to regress to the position we were in then, therefore persistence to brightening your little corners will also be appreciated. Let this Financial Year 2020/21 be closed with a bang. The bar we set so high for ourselves requires more tightened screws and all hands shall remain on the deck consistently from both the political and administrative wing in line with Back to Basics principle and by so doing the “Sky remains the limit”. All and sundry are called upon to find courage in the words of the writer “Ralph Marston, who rightfully said: “Don’t lower your expectations to meet your performance, rise your level of performance to meet your expectations. Expect the best of yourself, and then do what is necessary to make it a reality”.

CONCLUSIONMy office would like to thank both Administrative and Political wing for the support shown and also thank the political principals for the undivided guidance and wisdom and Organized labour (SAMWU and IMATU) through their robust engagements to ensure transparent and fairness governance and the entire municipal workforce though the going sometimes goes tougher than we expected. You taught us that success is about liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.

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EDITORIAL

Welcome to the special edition of our official newsletter. The president has declared a disaster with the invocation of the Disaster Management Act, the country just like many countries of the world is battling the spread of the Corona Virus (Covid-19).

The country was placed on Lockdown Welcome to the special edition of our official newsletter. The president has declared a disaster with the invocation of the Disaster Management Act, the country just like many countries of the world is battling the spread of the Corona Virus (Covid-19).

The country was placed on Lockdown alert number five on the 26 March 2020, shutting down economic activities, social and normal life as we know it, citizens were instructed to stay at home in order to contain and slow down the spread of the virus.

Thaba Chweu Local Municipality also heeded the call to stop the spread of the pandemic. Cllr Friddah Nkadimeng our Executive Mayor sprang into action immediately establishing the Local Command Council and the Joint

EDITORIAL TEAM

Editor: Themba Sibiya | Sub-Editor: Ezrom Sekgobela | Content Contributors & Images: Koketso Mashego, Mmatsheko Mmola | Layout,

Design & Printing: Nomcebo Printers 013 235 454241A Joubert Street, Lydenburg, 1120

Operations Committee, chairing both high level meetings designed to respond and manage the spread of the pandemic at the local level. The Executive Mayor also embarked on a program to fumigate the town’s public areas, taxis and taxi ranks.

Management took a decision to shut down certain operations and instructed non-essential services workers to stay and work at home, while our offices were fumigated and all necessary personal protective equipment were dispatched to staff and stakeholders. Meetings were convened in numbers of less than fifty as prescribed by the lockdown regulations on gatherings. The institution held virtual meetings for the first time in history including our council meetings, unconventional as it is, all the meetings were a success.

Normal services provision continued with the opening and closing times adjusted to about four hours in work day. This is a major inconvenience for our clients but a necessary nuisance. At the time of printing there were 16 confirmed positive cases in the municipal jurisdiction with no deaths reported.

Editor Themba Sibiya

Executive Mayor atMoremela Taxi Rank

The work of Council had continued unabated with the IDP and Budget being approved by the Council.We are currently on alert level 3 with many of the lockdown regulations relaxed and certain economic sectors being gradually allowed to open. The DoH (Department Of Health) warned of a spike from the month of June and throughout the winter months which makes it imperative for all of us to take personal responsibility to protect ourselves and our families.

Despite the economic crunch brought about by the lockdown which saw many economic activities being closed down, we appreciate our people’s commitment to paying the municipal bills.

In conclusion let us all continue to obey the lockdown regulations, wash our hands regularly, use alcohol based sanitizers, observe social distancing, staying at home as much as possible and only leave our homes when it is really necessary to do so.

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The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) donated 40 Jojo tanks with a capacity of 10 000 litres to the Thaba Chweu Local

Municipality to bring much-needed relief to water scarce areas within the municipality. Rand Water was contracted by the DWS to

transport and install these Jojo tanks in the areas identified by the municipality. One of the conditions by DWS was that these tanks

where possible had be installed in government properties like schools and community halls for control purposes and to curb possible

vandalism. GPS coordinates were entered on all the locations where the tanks have been installed for monitoring purposes.

The tanks were installed in the following areas:

DONATED JOJO TANKS BRING MUCH RELIEF TO COMMUNITIES WITH WATER CHALLENGES

WARD SECTION PLACE OF INSTALLATION Ward 1 Mashishing Thusong centre Thusong centre Ward 2 • Nkandla

• Nkandla • Ext 8 • Ext 8 • Ext 108

• Next to blue Tuck shop • Inside Nkandla • Next to Pump station • Ext 8 to the South • RDP Section

Ward 3 • Garden Court • eMadamini • Ext 6

• Gate of Garden Court • Behind Mashishing High • Next to Ikageng Crèche

Ward 4 • Shushumela • Bultkop • Klipspruit • Goedhoop • Doornhoek • Corommandel • Boschoek

• Next to the Tuckshop • Creche • Behind the shop • Opposite the Soccer field • Opposite Boshoff’s House • Shalom Church • Makweleleng/ Mavondweni

Ward 5 • Bosfontein • Draakraal • Dikutlwaneng • Majenje • Majenje • Marikaan • Marikaan

• Ga- Makgoga • Mandela Village • Dikutlwaneng • Centre of Majenje • Next to Shack 5/720 • Between Shacks 5/1735 and shack 5/1734 • Between shacks 5/1449 and shack 5/1451

Ward 7 • Ext 10 • RDP houses Ward 8 • Didimala

• Apara – new stand • Next to Mokokwane • New stand – Opposite Aventura

Ward 9 • Kanana – Leroro • Ratanang • Police View • Ngwetsi Ntshoroge

• Playground • New stand • Next to police station • Next to ZCC

Ward 10 • Hostel – informal Settlement

• Next to small Jojo at the Hostel

Ward 11 • Brondal Informal Settlement

• In the Informal Settlement

Ward 13 • Spekboom • Ohrigstad Dam • Boomplaas

• Next to Cecilia’s’ House up the hill • Next to Deliwe’ House • Next to Mike

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EHLANZENI DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY FUND THE

REBURSHMENT OF FIVE BOREHOLES

Ehlanzeni District Municipality together with Thaba Chweu Local

Municipality handed over refurbished boreholes to communities

in Brondal, Ohrigstad Dam, Majenje in Mashishing, Draaikraal

and Badfontein. The boreholes refurbishment project was funded

by Ehlanzeni District Municipality. Crll. Friddah Nkadimeng,

Executive Mayor has appealed to the community to look after

the infrastructure as some of the borehole’s equipment such

as solar panels were previously vandalised. She extended her

sincere gratitude to the District Municipality for their contribution

to ensure that communities have access to water especially

during the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cllr Friddah Nkadimeng,

Executive Mayor and MMC Jane Malepe with TCLM officials receiving Jojo tanks

donated by the Department of Water

and Sanitation

DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND SANITATION DONATE

FOUR WATER TANKERS

The Department of Water and Sanitation donated four water

tankers to the municipality to assist in the provision of clean

water to communities during the national lockdown. Cllr Friddah

Nkadimeng led the Local Command Council to oversee the

delivery of water in the Northern Areas of Thaba Chweu Local

Municipality. The other two tankers will be stationed in Lydenburg

and Sabie.

Ehlanzeni District Municipality and Thaba Chweu Local Municipality Councillors and Officials

inspecting the refurbished borehole at Ohrigstad Dam

LEADING FROM THE FRONT. Cllr Friddah Nkadimeng, Executive Mayor assisting the community in the Northern Areas to access water from tankers

donated by the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation

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Thaba Chweu Local Municipality has been at the helm in the implementation of the COVID-19 response interventions in a bid to contain the spread of the virus.

Through the leadership of Cllr. Friddah Nkadimeng, the Executive Mayor, the municipality plays a leading role in the COVID-19 Joint Operation Committee in collaboration with other government departments, local business chamber and civil society organisations to hatch and implement collective strategies to fight the spread of the pandemic. The Executive Mayor also leads the Local Command Council that is comprised of members of the Mayoral Committee and senior officials of the municipality.

Some of the initial interventions by the municipality was to instruct non-essential staff to stay at home during the lockdown and by reducing the normal operating hours. Isolation and quarantine sites were also identified in preparation of the worst that could be unleashed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Control measures such as social distancing, sanitization, screening and registering everyone entering the municipal buildings were implemented. The frontline staff of the Municipality was also trained by the Department of Health about dealing with the pandemic and the usage of infrared thermometers.

In partnership with the South African

National Taxi Council (SANTACO), the

Executive Mayor together with the Mayoral

Committee went on an awareness

campaign at the various taxi ranks within

the municipality’s jurisdiction to ensure

the safety of drivers and commuters. The

campaign also included the fumigation of

taxis and the distribution of face masks,

gloves, and sanitizers. Taxi ranks covered

in the campaign include Mashishing, Sabie,

Graskop and Moromela.Mass awareness campaigns were also done by the Executive Mayor using the medium of radio and the municipality’s social media platforms.

The accessibility of water is critical in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus. In this regard the municipality received a donation of four water tankers and 50 Jojo tanks from the Department of Water and Sanitation to ensure the provision of clean water in water stressed areas.

Working with the Department of Social Services, food parcels were distributed to needy households. Private businesses and local mines such as Anglo American also jumped into the bandwagon to assist the most vulnerable in the community with food parcels. The Muslim community assisted in the drilling of five boreholes in water challenged areas. This gesture demonstrated the impact of a collaborative approach in dealing with common challenges.

The lowering of the lockdown levels also led to movement of people especially from the neighbouring provinces that rely on the town Lydenburg for healthcare and accessing services rendered by the Department of Home Affairs. This sudden movement necessitated a rigorous monitoring of the cross-border roadblocks by the Municipality and counterparts in the Limpopo Province. The Executive Mayor visited roadblocks on the R36 and R37 roads to monitor compliance and to assess the needs by stakeholders manning these roadblocks.

Public screening is essential in the early

TCLM COVID-19 RESPONSEdetection of the coronavirus. The MEC for Health, Ms. Sasekani Manzini and the Executive Mayor, joined the COVID-19 Brigades in the mass screening campaign that focused on farm areas. The MEC said that the focus of the Department is to conduct door to door screening to flatten the curve of infections. She also said that the lockdown has assisted in reducing the COVID-19 infection rate even though it had an impact on the economy, however the lives of the people come first.

During the campaign, the Transvaal Gold Mine Estates (TGME) donated 15 000 facemasks to the Lydenburg hospital. The

facemasks will be distributed to all health facilities within the municipality. Speaking at the ceremony, the MEC said that as the economy gradually opens, the role of private sector will be critical in the fight against the pandemic. “It is important that mines remain compliant so that they are not forced to shutdown but continue to operate so that the so much needed jobs are secured”, said the MEC.

The Executive Mayor thanked and appreciated the leadership by the MEC of Health. “Her footsteps are everywhere in the province as she’s always at the forefront leading by example in the fight against the pandemic”, said the Executive Mayor.

At the time of going to press, the number of infections in Mpumalanga and Thaba Chweu were relatively low compared to the rest of the country. This trend is attributed to the strides taken by government, civil society organisations and private sector partners in the fight against the spread of the virus.

MEC Sasekani Manzini and Cllr Friddah Nkadimeng conducting mass screening at Spekboom

COVID-19 Brigades at Skhila attentively listening to

MEC Manzini

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Harmony Hill, Ext 2, Sabie

The township establishment process for

Harmony Hill Ext 2 in Sabie is underway.

Relevant Environmental Impact Assessment

and draft layout plans for the township have

been concluded and the Municipality has

finalised a land sale deal with York Timbers

which will accommodate a total of 540

residential stands.

Spekboom

TCLM concluded a socio-economic study

to find out how many people are residing at

Spekboom which was also be used to formulate

a settlement strategy to ascertain whether the

residents qualify for low cost housing subsidy

or not. The land tenure upgrade strategy was

presented to council and a valuation on the

property was done and a report was submitted

to the landowners (Lutheran Church) for

consideration. A conclusion will be reached

subsequent to the landowner’s acceptance of

the proposal.

The following are land development

and security of land tenure

projects within Thaba Chweu Local

Municipality:

Mashishing (Nkandla and Riverside

Informal Settlements)

The Department of Human Settlement

has approved the formalisation of

the Nkandla and Riverside informal

settlements in Mashishing. A township

establishment application has been

lodged however the layout of the

township has to be amended because

people have settled in areas where roads

and other infrastructure are supposed

to be built and further compounded by

continued land invasions in the area.

The Department’s land surveyors have

commenced to re-work the layout and

will advise the Municipality accordingly

in terms of the way forward.

Nkandla informal settlements, Mashishing

LAND DEVELOPMENTS AND SECURITY OF LAND TENURE PROJECTS

Brondal

The Municipality has engaged the

Department of Human Settlement to

prioritise the sale of alternative land for

the re-settlement of the community of

Brondal. An alternative land has been

identified and property valuers have been

appointed by the Human Settlement

Department value the property and

further negotiate the purchasing thereof.

Graskop Hostel Formalisation

The formalisation process of the Graskop

Hostel is underway and an application

has been submitted to the Municipality

for approval. Various studies such as

Geo-Technical, Environmental and

Contour survey has been conducted

and concluded. A township layout was

presented to the project committee

comprised of elected community

representatives.

Leroro Township Rectification

The township rectification process is

underway at Leroro. An aerial photo

has been prepared, contour survey

and fence/ boundaries verification have

been done. The draft survey diagrams

have been approved by the Municipality.

Pegging is underway and this process

will ensure that community members get

title deeds.

Graskop Hostel Formalisation: Community leaders going through the township layout maps

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ROAD MAINTENANCE = JOBS + SKILLS TRANSFER

THE MAINTENANACE OF ROADS STEAMS AHEAD

HIGH COURT RULES IN FAVOUR OF TCLM AGAINST

TRUCK COMPANIES

TCLM has embarked on a project to fix potholes and reconstruct main intersections in the Lydenburg Town. The increase in traffic volumes especially by the heavy-duty trucks, have a huge strain on the roads, and cause massive damage. The rapid destruction of the roads has become a safety hazard, and an eye sore especially for a town that is a tourist destination.

Various companies both emerging and established have been appointed to do the repairs. One such company is Pet Mack Construction from Mashishing, appointed to fix potholes in Joubert and Breytenbach streets. Speaking on behalf of the company, Mr. Lean Madire said that nine people have been employed in the project that is envisaged to take two weeks to complete. “Over and above the temporary employment, there is also the critical element of the transfer of skills, essential towards the future employment of those involved”, said Mr. Madire.The busy intersection at Voortrekker and Viljoen streets is also earmarked for refurbishment. Soon to follow will be the refurbishment of De Clerq street.

The busy intersection at the Voortrekker and Viljoen streets was upgraded to the delight of both motorists and affected local businesses. The finished project was handed over to the Municipality by the contractor after months of hard work. The project was a precursor to the Municipality’s road maintenance plan that will see the upgrading of roads in the major towns. The next roads to be upgraded are the De Clerq and Potgieter in Lydeburg town. Funded by the Booysendal Mine as part of their social responsibility programme, this model will hopefully see other stakeholders contributing towards the maintenance and infrastructural development in the Municipality.

The High Court has ruled in favour of TCLM in the legal battle with truck companies prohibiting them from driving through the municipal roads.

The municipality gazetted by-laws early this year prohibiting heavy trucks weighing in excess of 10 tons from driving through the town. Subsequent the gazetting of the by-laws, TCLM consulted with the affected parties including the truck companies to consider alternative routes that included the usage of provincial roads which have the capacity to accommodate heavy loads. The truck companies however opted to approach the court on urgent basis to interdict the municipality from enforcing the by-laws.

On 29 May 2020, the High Court ruled in favour of the municipality dismissing the matter with costs against the truck companies.

The state of the roads in the municipality have since deteriorated mainly due to the increased volumes of heavy trucks that drive through the town from surrounding mines. TCLM will continue to enforce the by-laws and reroute the trucks as they damage municipal infrastructure that include road signage, traffic lights, the drainage system, and other assets of the municipality.

Trucks coming from the Lydenburg Smelter en-route to the N4 will proceed into the R37 road to Burgersfort where they will turn left into Maria Trost road to join with the R577 Roossenekal road. From there they will proceed to connect with the R540 to Dullstroom leading to the N4. Those enroute to Mbombela, from the R540 they will proceed to the R36 road to Machadodorp (Badfontein road) to connect to the N4 at Bambi. No trucks are allowed on the Long Tom Pass.

Handing over of the Voortrekker and Viljoen intersection

Road maintenance

ROAD MAINTENANCE

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ROAD MAINTENANCE

Handing over of the Voortrekker and Viljoen intersection

Road maintenance

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The day started early morning with a fun-walk from the Lydenburg Civic Centre to Mashakeng stadium in Mashishing led by Cllr, Friddah Nkadimeng the Executive Mayor. Joined by government departments and civil society, the fun-walk was consistent with the National Department of Sport and Recreation’s objective to promote and encourage an active and healthy lifestyle.

After the fun-walk the community gathered in a tent at the stadium where the official programme ensued. The Director General in the National Department of Sport and Recreation, Mr. Vusimuzi Mkhize, officially handed over the upgraded Mashakeng Stadium to the community on behalf of Minister Nathi Mthethwa.

The upgrades include a refurbished pitch with flood lights and irrigation system, a 500-seater grandstand, change rooms and ablution facilities, were all done through a R9 million grant funding received from the national department.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Executive Mayor highlighted the essential role played by sports towards facilitating social cohesion. She also said that the community will use the facilities to the fullest and see more young people participate in sports and adopting a healthy lifestyle. The DG Mr. Mkhize appealed to the community to refrain from vandalizing public property. He said that government cannot continue to channel funding towards the same facilities vandalized by the community. “We must be vigilant and jealously look after our own facilities”, said Mr. Mkhize. He also appealed with parents to allow their children to participate in sports as this is the only way to unearth new talent and future champions.The programme also included a robust interaction between the Department and the sport stakeholders where various concerns and compliments were raised. Some of the concerns raised include the lack of proper and graded training grounds for local soccer

teams, lack of support for individualistic sports such as golf and fishing and the need for talent scouts to visit the Thaba Chweu area to unearth new talent. The Department through TCLM identified local teams representing the various sporting codes in the vicinity of the stadium to receive donations of sport attire and equipment. The benefitted teams ranged from soccer, volleyball, basketball, to netball.An exhibition match could not be played on the day of the launch as the pitch was not match ready.

UPGRADED MASHAKENG STADIUM HANDED OVER TO THE COMMUNITY

Sports attire donation

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MASHISHING STADIUM

DG Mkhize and Cllr Friddah Nkadimeng Executive Mayor

Mr. Vusimuzi Mkhize DG National Dep Sport and Recreation

Sports Attire Donation

The public making submissions to the National Department

Executive Mayor leads Fun Walk from town to Mashakeng Stadium

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TCLM EXECUTIVE MAYOR COMES TO THE AID OF A GIRL WITH AN ERRONEOUS IDENTITY

LIGHTING THE CANDLE OF HOPEWorld AIDS Day commemoration

For the past 19 years Shade Sibiya had been classified as a male by the Department of Home Affairs. She was born at Mapulaneng hospital on 22 May 2000, and her hospital birth card correctly captured her as female. Attempts by the family to get the Department of Home Affairs to correct the mistake had proven futile. After being taken from pillar to post, Shade in desperation approached the local magistrate office for assistance. The magistrate eventually referred her to the Executive Mayor, Cllr Friddah Nkadimeng.

“Her frustration, anger and level of hopelessness were palpable. You could see that she considered me to be her last flicker of hope”, said the Executive Mayor. Reminiscent of the Caster Semenya saga, Shade had to undergo a series of medical tests to prove her gender. “It was obvious that the experience was traumatic for her” said the Executive Mayor.

Shade was a student at Skhila Secondary school, and she wrote her grade 12 examination with documents that classified her as male. A former member of parliament, Cllr Nkadimeng was able to engage the Home Affairs Department by impressing upon them the gravity and the fragility of the matter. A new birth certificate with the correct gender was eventually issued on 05 December 2019. “I am grateful for the assistance received from the Executive Mayor to get my identity back. This matter had bothered and pained me for many years, and the Executive Mayor was able to resolve it in one week”, said Shade.

The Executive Mayor also alerted the Circuit Manager at the Department of Education about the matter so that the correct information could be captured on her academic records.

Various stakeholders in the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality recently commemorated World AIDS Day at the Lydenburg Civic Centre. The purpose was to unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS, to support people living with the virus also to remember those who died from AIDS related illnesses.

The Executive Mayor, Cllr Friddah Nkadimeng, led the white candle lighting memorial, which represents hope in the fight against the virus and for the families, friends and colleagues who lost loved ones to the epidemic.

The Executive Mayor said that the fight against HIV/AIDS is top priority for the municipality. “As the municipality, we view this epidemic as not just a health issue but a social, developmental, and economical challenge that needs both proactive and reactive multi-sectoral strategies to overcome”, said the Executive Mayor. She also urged community members to learn and talk more about HIV/AIDS and its treatment in order to help reduce the stigma around the disease.The Department of Health’s Sister L. Mdebele said that there are 7, 9 million people infected with HIV in the country.

As the Department their priority is to implement the 90-90-90 HIV treatment strategy. According to the strategy by 2020, 90% of all people living with HIV should know their HIV status, 90% of all people diagnosed with HIV will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression. “One of the main challenges is that people may know their status but do not take regular treatment and as the Department we would like to change that around”, said sister Mdebele.

The Department of Health had an exhibition area where counselling and HIV/AIDS testing were done on the spot and self-testing kit package were distributed. The commemoration was also supported by other departments such as Social Development, Correctional Services, Department of Education, Department of Health, SASSA, SAPS and the NORTHAM.

World AIDS day

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WORLD AIDS DAY

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EHLANZENI TVET COLLEGE MASHISHING CAMPUS OFFICIALLY OPENS

CERTIFICATION OF THE

AGRISETA PLANT PRODUCTION LEARNERSHIP

The opening of the Ehlanzeni TVET college in Lydenburg serves as a beacon of hope to the youth of Thaba Chweu. Speaking at the official opening of the TVET College late last year, Cllr. Friddah Nkadimeng, the Executive Mayor said that the college is a huge investment intended to equip the youth of the municipality with essential skills to safeguard their future and play a productive role in the economic growth of the country. She further commended the investment by Glencore Lydenburg Smelter and the Department of Higher Education and Training in making possible the planting of a seed that will yield dividends for generations to come.

The idea to establish the TVET college was revealed to a Glencore official who saw unused buildings after visiting the Department of Public Works’ offices in Lydenburg looking for someone to assist with the fixing of a pothole in one of the roads in town. An official proposal was then made to the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works to make available the unused facilities to house the college. Ehlanzeni TVET College was approached to consider opening a satellite campus in Mashishing to which they gladly obliged.

Mr Japie Fullard, the CEO of Glencore Alloys SA, said that it was important for them to contribute into the project because they believe the future of South Africa lies with the youth. The company generously made an investment of about R7 million into the project. “We believe that Lydenburg Smelter has a responsibility to develop skills in our local community”, added Mr. Fullard.

During the construction phase the TVET college used the community hall in Extension 2 as makeshift classrooms and administration offices. Some of the courses offered amongst others include N1 Boiler Making, N1 Electrical Engineering, N1 Fitting as well as Business Management and Office Administration. These courses are essential and relevant in contributing to the skills requirements by the local mines. At the beginning of 2019, the campus had 191 students and aims to increase enrolment to 699 in the 2020 academic year.

A total of 25 unemployed youth from Mashishing recently graduated from an AgriSETA plant production learnership programme at a ceremony held at the Lydenburg Civic Centre. The nine months programme was designed to introduce students to the world of plants, especially crops in the agricultural sector. The programme was facilitated by V.V and Mashona Projects.

Graduation of the Agriseta

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Molefe Tsiane, Manager of V.V and Mashona Projects, congratulated the learners and

The official opening of the Ehlanzeni College

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said that this programme is a stepping stone towards exploring the agricultural sector which is rich with opportunities.

Cllr Tumi Letsane also encouraged the learners to go out and position themselves in the market place. “These certificates must not be kept at home but be used as a means to seek opportunities and employment”, said Cllr Letsane.

EPWP CERTIFICATION

CEREMONYTHE EMERGING

FARMERS’ OUTREACH

PROGRAMMEThe certification ceremony of participants in the Expanded Public Work Programme (EPWP) 2018/2019 financial year was held at the TCLM town hall on the 29 August 2019. Those certificated had participated in the programme that started from 03 September 2018 and finished on 30 August 2019. EPWP is an annual programme, specifically aimed at unemployed youth from the ages of 18 to 35.

A total of 140 youth participated in the programme that was divided into nine projects, namely:• Parks and Cemeteries• Waste removals• Water and sanitation • Marshals • Park Ranging• Game Ranging• Administrative Support• Cleaning • Electrical

The MMC for Local Economic Development at Thaba Chweu Local Municipality hosted an Outreach programme to engage with emerging farmers on 18 September 2019 at the Lydenburg Town Hall.

The purpose of the programme was to create sustainable, vibrant and equitable communities and also find ways to respond to some of the challenges encountered by emerging farmers hampering their growth. This can be achieved through productive farms able to respond to the challenges of unemployment and food security.

EPWP is a great initiative that equips the youth with skills for future job opportunities as well as exposure to various careers options available in the market to pursue. Councilor Friddah Nkadimeng, the Executive Mayor said that the EPWP programme plays a pivotal role in the fight against the triple challenges of inequality, poverty and unemployment that is plaguing our country. The Executive Mayor congratulated all the participants and wished them well with their future endeavours.

The EPWP coordinator, Mr. David Mkhabela, said that he is grateful to the municipality for being able to participate in such an important programme.

The emerging farmers benefited from presentations from various institutions such as M.Tech Training, Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs (DARDEA), Rural Enterprise and Industrial Development (REID) and the Rural Development- Land Restitution.

Mr. S. Mngomezulu, a consultant from M.Tech Training addressed the farmers and shared with them the various training programmes on offer and learneship opportunities in the agricultural sector. “M.Tech not only helps emerging farmers but also capacitate the unemployed in communities with an interest in farming and other career paths”, said Mngomezulu.

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PILGRIMS REST TO BE

RESTORED TO FORMER GLORY

Existing and aspiring women entrepreneurs gathered at Mashishing community hall in October last year to attend an empowering seminar that focused on various aspects of business and sectors available for exploration.Initiated by the TCLM’s Local Economic Development Unit, the seminar shared valuable information critical to know before establishing a business and how to expand on an already existing business.

Institutions such as such as the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), South African Women in Construction (SAWIC), and the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) were invited to share their core business and offerings with the women.Ms. Lorraine Nkuna of NYDA presented the various grant funding available for young people aspiring to start or grow existing businesses.

SAWIC encouraged women to venture into the lucrative and male dominated world of construction. Ms. Maureen Kathi made a presentation on how women can access business opportunities, funding, and training in the sector.

Executive Mayor, Cllr FM Nkadimeng together with MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Hon. PS Ngomane and senior officials of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency recently launched the Pilgrims Rest revitalisation project.

The project under the leadership of the MTPA seeks to develop and position this heritage town back into its glory as the destination of choice for both local and international tourists. Speaking at the launch, the Executive Mayor said that the revitalized town will create new business and employment opportunities for the local people and the Thaba Chweu Municipal area in general. Pilgrims Rest is a living museum that epitomises the first South African gold rush that started in 1873.

WOMEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF BUSINESS

Mr Hastings Moeng, the marketing director from NHBRC said that his company also invests in emerging female entrepreneurs in the construction sector. They also facilitate a business development programme offered through the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS). After completing the programme, one will be equipped with networking skills essential to generate business leads.

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WOMEN HEROISM CELEBRATED AND REMEMBERED

AG GIVES TCLM A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH

The Bambanani Sports Centre in Sabie hosted the Women’s Month celebrations held on 14 August 2019. The theme was: “25 Years of Democracy: Growing South Africa Together for Women’s Emancipation”. The celebrations also coincided with the 65th anniversary of the founding conference of the Federation of South African Women which adopted the 1954 Women’s Chapter.

Speaking at the event Cllr. Friddah Nkadimeng, the Executive Mayor said that the 25th anniversary of democracy is a milestone which calls on all South Africans to reflect on the strides that were made to ensure a society that is free of gender inequality. It was these past iniquities that compelled women to revolt against a system that was meant to control and further reduce them into passive beings at the mercy of men, said the Executive Mayor.

National Women’s Day is annually celebrated on the 9th of August. This month commemorates the march by more than 20 000 women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria in 1956. Women of different races and ethnic groups marched against legislation aimed at tightening the apartheid government’s control over the movement of black women within the country. The purpose of the restrictions was to maintain segregation and control migrant labour, which was all part of the apartheid policy.

These women displayed courage and brevity by petitioning the government to change these policies. “Wathint’ abafazi, Wathint’ imbokodo!” meaning: “You strike a woman, you strike a rock!” was chanted by these women as they protested outside the Union Buildings. Leaders of the movement included Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Sophia Williams who were selfless in their quest for the recognition of the rights of women and freedom for all.

The Thaba Chweu Local Municipality celebrated this day by keeping with the tradition in a colourful event that involved South Africa women from all backgrounds.

TCLM is a step closer towards obtaining a clean audit. The municipality recently obtained a qualified audit opinion from the Auditor General (AG) for the 2018/2019 financial year albeit with two matters of emphasis. The matters derived from the TCLM’s accumulated surplus and irregular expenditure. According to the AG, the municipality did not have adequate controls to prevent and detect irregular expenditure and ensure it is disclosed in accordance with section 125(2) of the Municipal Finance Management.

According to TCLM’s Executive Mayor, Cllr. Friddah Nkadimeng, the opinion is a milestone given the municipality’s past performance. TCLM has managed to drastically reduce most of the AG’s previous findings. This must be contrasted with the eight previous financial years where the municipality received disclaimers except for the 2017/2018 financial year.

“This commendable performance is attributed to men and women who continue to burn the midnight oil to ensure that TCLM adheres to governance imperatives. We need to roll our sleeves and begin to prepare for the next financial year by taking compliance issues very seriously to obtain a clean audit”, said the Executive Mayor.

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CELEBRATING UNITY IN DIVERSITY

Thaba Chweu Local Municipality celebrated Heritage Day through song, dance, art, food and an expression of colour through the various traditional attires. Heritage Day is a holiday set aside to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures and customs that unite South Africans in their diversity.

Excitement and joy filled the Lydenburg Civic Centre when Cllr. Friddah Nkadimeng, the Executive Mayor danced and sung to the rhythms and chants that were evoked by the spirit of oneness that thundered deep in the souls of those present.Speaking at the event, the Executive Mayor urged those gathered to share their cultures and beliefs with others in order to encourage better working relations and promote a culture of tolerance amongst everyone.

JP Cilliers, TCLM’s Museum Curator, took everyone on a journey of discovery when he related the rich and ancient history of Mashishing that left various footprints as reference for the current generation. It is with such a history that Mashishing and other areas in Thaba Chweu can be set and positioned as heritage destinations to be explored by both the local and international visitors.

A local jazz band, “The Buddies” gave a fascinating performance with a rendition of popular traditional songs that got people on their feet and sung along. Traditional cuisine was also prepared to allow attendees the opportunity to sample and savour the various traditional foods on offer ranging from samp, tripe, trotters, dumpling, chicken feet and mashonja (mopani worms).

It was indeed a fun-filled day that saw the “Rainbow Nation” gather in one purpose - to celebrate unity in diversity.

Heritage day Celebrations (Buddies Band)

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THABA CHWEU TRADITIONAL HEALERS FORUM ELECTS NEW

LEADERSHIP

TCLM TAKES THE LEAD IN THE 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM

CAMPAIGN

Cllr Friddah Nkadimeng, the Executive Mayor of TCLM, congratulated the newly elected leadership of the Thaba Chweu Traditional Healers Forum. Speaking at the Forum’s elective meeting held at the Lydenburg Town Hall in October last year.

The Executive Mayor said that the Municipality recognises and respects the essential role played by traditional healers. She emphasised the need for collaboration between the western and traditional medicine. “I urged all of you to join forces with the modern doctors to help heal the nation.” said the Executive Mayor.

The Traditional Healers Forum is comprised of the Traditional Healers Organisation (THO), Traditional Healers Practitioners (THP) and Bo Gogo from the jurisdiction of the Thaba Chweu Municipality. Before electing the new leadership, the meeting agreed on the characters and qualities that each office-bearer must possess. Some of these include integrity, confidence, literacy levels, eligibility and willingness to serve. The following members were elected into the committee: • Ms Sarah Pule (Chairperson)• Mr. Fana Mashego (Deputy Chairperson)• Ms. Elma Makunyane (deputy Secretary)• Ms. Lindiwe Mdhuli (Treasurer) • Ms. Sarah Malele (Deputy Treasurer)

The newly elected chairperson, Ms Sarah Pule urged her fellow members to work together

, learn from one another, and promote mutual respect and understanding. The committee was given a mandate to serve for three years.

The TCLM commemorated the16 days of Activism on violence against women and children on 05 December 2019 at the Mashishing community hall. The campaign runs from the 25 November to 10 December and seeks to raise awareness on the negative impact that violence and abuse have on women and children.

Speaking at the event, TCLM Executive Mayor, Cllr Friddah Nkadimeng, said that the country is still reeling from some of the most brutal and barbaric acts of violence against women and children, like the murder of Uyinene Mrwetyana, Leighandre Jegel, Janika Mallo and Jesse Hess. “Men and young boys must be recruited to be active members of the campaign so that they may learn to respect and protect women and children. We must also encourage our people to engage in practical programmes and take active steps to fight the scourge of violence against women and children”, said the Executive Mayor. She also said that relevant services must be provided to survivors of gender-based violence and ensure that perpetrators are punished.

The commemoration was also supported by other departments such as the Department of Education, CMR, SAPS, SASSA, Correctional Services, and the Department of Health.

VIOLENCEAGAINST WOMEN

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Our vision

Our MissionImproving socio- economic conditions

by improving service delivery andgrowing the economic through

sound governance

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Our Contacts Details

Thaba Chweu Anit-Fraud Hot Line087 135 0682

013 492 2366 Switchboard Cnr Veljoen and Sentraal Street, Lydenburg, 1120Website: www.tclm.gov.zaFacebook page: thabachweu

Mashishing Administrative Unit013 492 2366 | 013 235 7300Mashishing

Sabie Administrative Unit013 492 2366

8 AvenueSabie1260

Graskop Unit013 492 2366Cnr Main and Louistrichard StreetGraskop1270

Northern Areas013 492 1793

THABA CHWEU LOCALMUNICIPALITY