The 06th of December 2013 signifies yet another dimension in the history of South Africa. The city of Mangaung woke up on a sad note upon hearing of the passing of the stalwart, THE ICON, THE RECONCILER AND UNIFIER, uTata Nelson Mandela.

Executive Mayor, Cllr. Thabo Manyoni, said: We are saddened but also draw solace in the life of this hero who is an embodiment of peace and reconciliation. We also draw our source of strength from the leadership he demonstrated as the leader of the ruling party, and as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.

Throughout his life, Madiba embodied humility, selflessness and patriotism – characteristics which epitomise the values of a true leader.

The city of Mangaung has a long standing relationship with the father of the nation with a number of honours bestowed upon him over the years.

It is in Mangaung where the ruling party, African National Congress, which produced Mandela, was established. In 1997, the Mangaung Transitional Council bestowed the Freedom of the City to Dr Nelson Mandela. At the same event, the main street of Bloemfontein was named after this icon. In the same year, the University of the Free State conferred a PhD degree in Law to Madiba.

The city also recently took a bold move by erecting the statue of Nelson Mandela at Naval Hill Nature Reserve. It stands as the tallest statue of Madiba in the world. This is an indication of the importance of Madiba, THE ICON, THE RECONCILER and THE UNIFIER, in the life of Mangaung Metro.

Madiba falls within the category of distinguished citizens of South Africans and his unwavering courage and selfless service towards a better South Africa will forever be etched into our memories.
We join millions of South Africans in celebrating the life of this gallant fighter of our struggle.

The city will be engaging into a number of activities in honour of Madiba. Amongst others, citizens of Mangaung and the public at large are welcome to lay wreaths at the statue of Madiba at Naval Hill. There will also be a condolence book at the statue for messages of support which will go to the Mandela family.

May his soul rest in peace!

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The Executive Mayor of Mangaung Metro, Cllr. Thabo Manyoni, on Thursday 12 September launched the Kido Choene Park in Heidedal, a place where children can unwind and exercise at, while their elders will be reminded of the legacy left behind by the former councillor.

“I hope with this facility we will be addressing also other social ills we are facing, where children are exposed to drugs and alcohol. I hope with this they also grow well, as physical fitness will help in mental development,” the Executive Mayor said.

Cllr Kedibone Choene was one of the longest serving councillors of Mangaung, who had been with the municipality until her death in 2011. With environmental awareness being one of the issues she felt strongly about, the Executive Mayor saw it befitting to name the park after her, which would also ensure that her memory is preserved.
Addressing the family of the late Kido Choene, Mangaung officials, ANCWL, the community of Heidedal and media, the EM said the launch is particularly important as it was on the same day that South Africa remembers one of the country’s anti-apartheid activists who died 29 years ago on the same day.

The late Kido Choene, who was a nurse, was described as a hard-worker, and an individual who went never compromised on how she served people, despite the challenges she faced in her line of duty. This is the kind of spirit needed when serving the community, the Executive Mayor said. The R1.2 million park is divided into two sections; one with various swings for children, and the other section with gym equipment for the youth and above.

Similar parks are planned for various parts of the metro, while a regional park has been planned for Thaba Nchu. The Executive Mayor has requested the community to be the custodians of the facility, and protect it.

“These are not municipality facilities, but a community facility. When it comes to issue of maintenance and protecting the equipment here, the community must do it,” the EM said.

The focus on building parks, particularly in townships forms part of the EM’s vision to ensure that Mangaung’s open spaces are properly utilised, which will contribute towards the city’s broader beautification strategy which amongst other seeks to attract visitors and tourists to our city.

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Earlier this month, Councillors of Mangaung Metro underwent an intensive one day training session which was aimed at empowering them with knowledge and information which will help them better serve their communities and the city at large.

“The importance of the workshop is to ensure that councillors have information and are equipped with knowledge to serve the effectively; but also to deal with personal administrative matters to assist in planning for future and retirement,” said the Speaker, Cllr. Mxolisi Siyonzana in his welcome address to councillors, metro officials and service providers.

The workshop included, amongst other things, presentations on:

• The Regional Service Delivery Forums in the Metro areas;
• Governance processes and procedures;
• Cellular phone policy;
• Update on demarcation process (determination of outer boundaries);
• Lokisa ditokomane campaign;
• Municipal Councillors Pension Fund;
• Roll-out of awareness program on paraffin safety; and replacement of noncompliant appliances by the National Regulatory for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS).

NRCS is a public entity that administers compulsory specifications, otherwise known as technical regulations, on behalf of the Minister of Trade and Industry.

Tumelo Mashiane of the NRCS said the entity is going to distribute 188 paraffin stoves in order to educate the communities in the area about the danger of noncompliant paraffin stoves and that their local office will undertake the awareness jointly with the Mangaung Metro.

Part of the presentations revolved around a progress report on the EPWP. In her presentation, Ms Dikeledi Mohlakoana from the city’s EPWP programme updated councillors on EPWP projects currently being rolled-out in Mangaung.
In his remarks, the Speaker raised concerns at the manner in which some of the projects are being rolled out.

Click here to download the PDF for News Update 19 September 2013