Municipality

Mayoral Committee appointed 

The acting Mangaung Metro executive mayor Gregory Nthatisi, has appointed his mayoral committee on Wednesday 3rd May at the municipal headquarters, Glasshouse.

Before handing announcing his MMCs, Nthatisi said his team will serve as advisors to him and assist greatly in their efforts to lead an efficient and effective government in the city.

When tabling the 2023/24-2025/6Medium-Term expenditure framework (MTEF) budget in council on Tuesday for noting, “I stated “Together we must improve and implement effectively, the current financial recovery plan and find more reasons why it has been so difficult to it implement successfully.”

“I also noted that our primary focus should be on the intensification of efforts to fast-track increased levels of revenue collection, reduce expenditure, increase, diversity additional revenue streams and attend to the management of surplus, cash, and its equivalent.” Said Nthatisi.

He said in order to achieve this, he is well aware that they need a strong team that is equal to task and ready to tackle the challenges the City is dealing with. 

“I am pleased to announce this team of seven women and there men, which is not only competent but ready to serve residents and all state holders on Mangaung Metro,”.

The members of interim Mayoral Committee are: 

Zuri and Kariba cane home to Naval Hill (Pic)

Naval Hill is home to two new giraffers, Zuri and Kariba.

The female giraffes were released at the nature reserve on Tuesday 11th April and are registered in the municipality’s asset register.

Natural Resorce manager, Rhulani Shivambu said over the years there hast’t been any inbreeding amongst the herd of giraffes at Naval Hill because the female giraffe died two years ago.

He said after the female giraffe died, only two male giraffes were left and they are closely related to each other.

“We work closely with Friends of Franklin and they have been isturmental int hew upkeep of the rewserve.

A few years ago they approached us with the concen pertaining to the number of giraffes in the reseve and they wanted to add two female giraffes to promote inbreeding,” said Shivambu.

Friends and Franklin Chairperso, Andri Grobbelaar said the aim of the organisation is to work closely with the City to conserve and enhance wildlife on Naval Hill.

“we are happy to welcome Zuri and Kariba home, this is a dream come true for the organisation and we hope that they will be happy here.

We engaged the municipality three years ago about adding two giraffes and then days ago we got approval,” Grobbelaar said.

She said she would like to thank everyone who shared their dream and added that the commitment that people have in conserving Naval Hill shows that residents know how special it is.

“ this is a place where people can come and enjoy the environment, whether they are running or just catching the breath-taking sunset,” said Grobbelaar.

Parks manager, Dawie Coetzee said this is a step in the right direction as I completes the family of giraffe in Naval Hill and it gives hope of inbreeding.

“the addition of Zuri and Kariba will enhance ecotourism in the city and I believe that people will flock into the reserve with the hope of spotting the giraffes.

I believe that the giraffes will adapt well since the veld is in good condition,” Coetzee said.

Mangaung Metro spokesperson Qondile Khedama said, “This is a positive gesture that will fill the gap for animal and nature lovers, whilst the municipality is pursuing the matter of the zoo.”