the West Rand
16 October 2006
The West Rand District Municipality should focus its attention on
agriculture, tourism, construction, manufacturing and the development of a
sports precinct in order to contribute to the provincial goals of halving
poverty and unemployment by 2014.
Speaking at the launch of the West Rand District Municipality Growth and
Development Strategy at Maropeng Visitors Centre, Cradle of Humankind in Mogale
City, Gauteng Local Government MEC Qedani Dorothy Mahlangu said it was
important for municipalities to develop their growth and development strategies
in order to contribute to the country's economy.
Mahlangu praised all the municipalities in the district, Mogale City,
Westonaria and Randfontein, for contributing to the provincial shared vision,
despite challenges such as the closure of mines and high levels of
unemployment.
She cited the increase in tourism investment and visits, the boom in the
construction industry, the development of a sports precinct, the solid growth
of the manufacturing sector and the opportunities for growth of small, medium
and micro enterprises as the major contributing factors to the growth of the
economy in the district.
"West Rand has already done a lot of good work to build this shared vision
and this work should not end with today's summit. Building a shared vision and
acting in unity, requires ongoing consultation and continuous engagement.
"Government must lead in the realisation of our goals. However, we must work
together with communities and the growth and development summit is part of this
process."
"The social partners which are government, business, and labour and
community organisations must jointly develop concrete steps towards higher
rates of local economic growth and poverty-reduction. Each partner needs to
identify concrete things that they will do to make local economic development a
reality," Mahlangu said.
She said since Gauteng had adopted the Globally Competitive city region
concept, it was important that municipalities align their plans along with
those of the provincial government.
"Gauteng is a powerful economic driver and the fourth largest economic
player on the continent. It propels economic growth and it is important that as
we move towards the perspective of a global city region, municipalities must
ensure that there is co-ordination and synergy with one another and with the
province. Local municipalities have an important role to play to achieve the
Global City Region perspective where they would complement one another as
opposed to competing against each other. Districts must continue to play their
role of co-ordination. If we are not going to work together, we will not
achieve our goals," she said.
She lauded glamour football club Kaizer Chiefs for its decision to build its
home stadium in Mogale City, saying this would take the West Rand District to
greater heights. Mahlangu said it was important for the Municipal Integrated
Development Plans (MIDPs) of Mogale City, Westonaria and Randfontein to talk to
one another.
"Municipal IDPs are important planning tools. We do not want to see a
situation where, for instance, an area that belongs to Randfontein is
progressing while another area separated by a street but falling under
Westonaria is not developing."
"Through the Global City Region perspective we are saying there must be
proper co-ordination for Gauteng to continue to be a serious player in the
country's economy. Even as Gauteng we must work smarter with our sister
provinces. The Rustenburg Corridor between Gauteng and North West province and
the Mpumalanga Corridor are but some examples of working together with our
sister provinces.
"If we do not do that as a province, we will continue to face problems of
migration and there will be no stability. Sanity and stability in the rest of
the country brings good economic prospects," she said.
Mahlangu added that: "When we are finished with all the regional Growth and
Development Strategies (GDS) of municipalities, we will align the provincial
GDS so that it talks to the GDS of municipalities."
Enquiries:
Themba Sepotokele
Tel: (011) 355 5111
Cell: 082 490 9869
Issued by: Department of Local Government, Gauteng Provincial
Government
16 October 2006
