7 May 2007
The Premier's Co-ordinating Forum (PCF), which consists of the Premier, the
mayors of all Gauteng municipalities and senior officials in the province, has
thrown its weight behind the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality on the
naming of the municipality.
The Forum noted that the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality had been
established by the MEC for Local Government in accordance with the Municipal
Structures Act of 1998. This came into effect following the local government
elections in 2000.
The Structures Act authorises the MEC to determine the name of a newly
established municipality, which was duly done in notices published in the
provincial government gazette.
The naming and the establishment of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan
Municipality in terms of the law removed the need for Tshwane municipality to
be named in terms of the South African Geographical Names Council Act. However,
the position regarding the application on the renaming of Pretoria, as a suburb
of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, was noted.
Electricity distribution industry
The PCF resolved to support the restructuring of the electricity
distribution industry in line with a cabinet decision in October 2006 to
establish Regional Electricity Distributors (REDS) as public entities.
Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica and representatives of EDI
Holdings made presentations and the meeting discussed progress involving
Gauteng municipalities in the establishment of REDS as well as plans ahead. Key
issues to be addressed in ensuring the successful transformation of the
electricity distribution industry were identified for further follow up by EDI
Holdings in cooperation with municipalities.
The restructuring will enable the country to build a sustainable electricity
distribution industry, promoting universal access to affordable electricity and
benefiting the economy and the country's people. Gauteng's three metropolitan
municipalities â Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni â anchor three of the
country's six REDS.
The Minister also made a commitment to the PCF to pursue further discussion
with the provincial government on other energy matters, including on renewable
energy and government's biofuels programme.
Gauteng Transport Management Authority
The PCF received a report on progress in the establishment of the Gauteng
Transport Management Authority. This follows an earlier decision by the PCF on
the need to establish a single transport authority for the province in the
context of building Gauteng as a globally competitive city region.
Discussions were also held on the centralised license booking system and
initiatives to provide broadband access across the province.
Enquiries:
Annette Griessel
Cell: 082 563 3614
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
7 May 2007
