Ramaphosa Defends R44 Million Imbizo Spend in Ekurhuleni Amid Criticism

President Cyril Ramaphosa has staunchly defended the substantial R44 million allocated for community meetings known as imbizos, in the face of criticism and a formal complaint lodged by activist group #NotInMyName with the public protector. These sessions, meant to foster direct dialogue between government officials and citizens, have been scrutinized for their high cost. However, during an imbizo held in Ekurhuleni, the president justified the expense as a necessary part of his government's commitment to inclusivity and responsiveness to the people's concerns.

At the Ekurhuleni imbizo, President Ramaphosa, flanked by ministers and Gauteng provincial leaders, was confronted with the community's urgent grievances. From water and electricity problems to the longing for proper housing expressed by the residents, the public's frustration was palpable. A resident of Tsakane, part of the Ekurhuleni municipality, expressed a simple yet profound desire for a home of their own, elevating the issue of housing as a critical need.

The session also unveiled concerns regarding the safety of school children, especially in the context of their daily commutes, which have been marred by accidents. Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, the mayor of Ekurhuleni, acknowledged these issues. He marked out water and electricity supply, repairs, maintenance, good governance, and ethical leadership as key focus areas for his administration. The sentiments at the meeting were a stark reminder of the mounting infrastructure demands facing the region.

Efforts are underway to confront these challenges, with Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina emphasizing progress through infrastructure projects like the construction of a new water pumping station. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi further committed to technological advancements by promising free wi-fi accessibility across the province's townships, in partnership with telecom giants MTN and Huawei. He pitched this as a step towards bridging the digital divide and supporting the unemployed in their job searches.

Understanding the integral role of small businesses in economic growth, President Ramaphosa emphasized his administration’s ongoing efforts to establish formal marketplaces within townships to facilitate local trade. These commitments aim to tackle the multifaceted issues of unemployment, service delivery, and infrastructural development head-on.

The imbizo in Ekurhuleni reflects a broader governmental push towards community engagement and service delivery reform in South Africa. As President Ramaphosa stands by these costly but necessary public engagements, the real test will be the translation of dialogue and promises into tangible changes for the people of Ekurhuleni and beyond.