Accelerated quality service delivery tops the list as COGTA MEC seconds acting City Manager to NMBM

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor, Gary van Niekerk has welcomed the secondment of Mandla George to act as the City Manager for a period of six months.

The MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Zolile Williams officially announced George as the official seconded to act as the Metro City Manager for a period of six months.

The announcement was made at a special Mayoral Committee meeting held at the City Hall in Gqeberha on Monday afternoon, 15 July 2024.

The Executive Mayor said he was excited about the arrival of George as his arrival signals a big step forward towards bringing accelerated quality service on top of the priority list.

"I am excited about the arrival of Mr George, someone who is not new to local government and in this Metro. In the past he has demonstrated a good work ethic and a management style focused on improving service delivery and being in touch with the communities and their problems. What excites me more is that he is obsessed with high quality performance and accountability from a team he works with," said Executive Mayor Van Niekerk.

"It is now time for all of us, the officials, unions, councillors, stakeholders like the business sector and most importantly the residents to work together and bring this Metro to its former glory," added Executive Mayor.

George is an experienced government senior manager who has served in different levels of governance, both at national and local government.

He is a former Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Chief Operating Officer (COO). During his tenure as COO he also acted as City Manager a number of times.

Speaking at the special Mayoral Committee meeting, George said he was humbled by the assignment at hand. He said he is fortunate that he comes to a place that he knows.

"During my time here, I want to improve performance, accountability on low performance and a management style that is connected to the people and the service delivery challenges they face on a daily basis. Overtime service delivery has been shifted down in the list of priorities, we cannot allow that," said George.

He said he will work with the executive and the Council to ensure they take the correct decisions that will pass the legal scrutiny.

"My presence in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality must build a strong foundation for high corporate governance standards where mediocrity has no space. Our people deserve far better than what we currently offer, we know what we have to do," said George.

He said as much as it is critically important to expect high quality performance, he will also work hard to capacitate the officials to be up to the task at hand.

George said the other critical areas of focus were the filling of vacant senior management positions and fast-tracking disciplinary processes for those who are on suspension.

MEC Williams said he was confident that they have brought a capable official who will be able to turn things around.

"For a long time we have seen and experienced poor service delivery in Nelson Mandela Bay, which has been largely caused by management instability. With the secondment of George, we hope to see change in the lives of our people. We need a management team that is responsive and swift to the service delivery challenges that our people face," said MEC Williams.

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