AS part of Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe’s 100-day priorities, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has announced a series of public participation meetings.
These meetings are open to all religious and non-profit organisations, as well as representatives and members of the public, focusing on land use management across the Metro.
Led by Mayor Lobishe and Member of the Mayoral Committee for Human Settlements, Councillor Thembinkosi Mafana, the sessions aim to engage with the community and explain recent council-approved decisions regarding land use, land purchase, zoning, and billing.
These decisions, made in December, particularly affect land used, purchased, or leased by churches, mosques, and non-profit organisations within the Metro’s boundaries.
The discussions will cover important decisions concerning site sizes for low-cost housing, Title Deed registrations and handovers, removal of asbestos roofs, and the registration of backyard dwellers.
Delivered in a six-cluster approach, each cluster will host a meeting to ensure comprehensive coverage across the Metro.
Councillor Mafana emphasised the significance of these meetings. “We have made historic decisions that will improve the lives of our people, both socially and economically.
“It is therefore important to create awareness by informing and engaging all relevant stakeholders on these very important developments, improvements and changes. Led by the Executive Mayor, we will cover the entire Metro. We call upon our communities to attend.”
Director of Public Relations for A Re Tshwaraneng, a student-run NPO in Gqeberha, Khalil Blose, said this is a good move, especially for NPOs.
“These talks are the beginning of something that could really be good for the people of this Metro.
“The work done by non-profits specifically is quite amazing, and through these discussions, the questions they have will be answered Ior their good work to continue effectively; so I’m excited.”
The meetings are scheduled as follows:
- Champion Galela Cluster:
Conducted at Soweto on Sea Multipurpose Hall on January 29.
Wards: 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 36 and 40.
- Lillian Diedericks Cluster:
To be conducted at Gelvandale Community Hall on January 30, from 10:00.
Wards: 10, 11, 13, 31, 32, 34, 35, 37 and 38.
- Molly Blackburn Cluster:
Arranged at City Hall, Gqeberha on February 3, from 10:00.
Wards: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12 and 39, at 10:00.
- Zola Nqini Cluster:
Set for Babs Madlakane on February 4, from 10:00.
Wards: 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51 and 52.
Alex Matikinca Cluster and Govan Mbeki Cluster were held on January 27 and January 28.
NMBM Spokesperson, Sithembiso Soyaya, encouraged residents and stakeholders to attend and actively participate in these crucial discussions to ensure their voices are heard in shaping the future of their communities.
