The City of Johannesburg is preparing for the State of the City Address (SOCA) on Tuesday, 6 June 2023. It will mark the 21st State of the City Address, a tradition that has been in place in the City since 2002. City of Joburg Speaker, Cllr Colleen Makhubele, and Chief Whip of Council, Cllr Sithembiso Zungu, addressed the media on Monday, 5 June, on proceedings.
Cllr Makhubele said SOCA was a momentous occasion where leaders come together to paint a vivid picture of the future of Joburg. “It’s a chance for residents and stakeholders to hear about the City’s progress and plans and to be inspired to work together towards a brighter future for all.”
She added that there has been a lot of work behind the scenes to ensure a successful SOCA and the Executive Mayor, Cllr Kabelo Gwamanda, has been working hard to put together his address, which will encompass all the City’s 11 priorities. It will also mark Cllr Gwamanda’s first SOCA address.
“This important address serves as a means to inform the City about its present economic, political, and social condition. It is also a vehicle for the mayor to summarize the accomplishments and plans of the programmes of the City both for a particular year and until the end of their term of office.
“The address usually outlines the mayor’s legislative proposals and policy directions for the upcoming year, priorities, and strategic objectives in this case of the Government of Local Unity,” said Cllr Makhubele.
“What we all want to see is a City of Joburg that is safe, that has energy, that creates employment, and that addresses social ills and political instability,” she added.
Cllr Makhubele urged to follow the proceedings either online through the City’s official social media platforms or through media platforms. She said it was important for residents to participate in happenings in the City and local government.
The City has been conducting Integrated Development Plan sessions, and now it is the time for residents to see if the City has heard their pleas and taken them into consideration.
“We trust tomorrow’s speech will be inspiring, give us hope, and enable us to look forward to a brighter City of Joburg,” Cllr Makhubele says.
Formal proceedings start at 09:00 when the mayor will be welcomed by a drill squad followed by a parade from Jorrisen Street to the Metro Centre. They will then be greeted and welcomed by the Speaker. Cllr Gwamanda will deliver the address at 10:00.
Follow the proceedings on the City’s Twitter page, @CityofJoburgZA, or livestream the proceedings through the City’s Facebook, Youtube, or Joburg Pulse Radio (https://s3.radio.co/s349cd1429/listen).
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