Deputy President Paul Mashatile Announces New Clean Cities Initiative

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has unveiled plans for a new government programme aimed at enhancing city cleanliness and recognizing outstanding efforts in urban sustainability and safety. Speaking in Cape Town on Tuesday, Mashatile emphasized that cleaner cities not only improve the quality of life but also attract investment.

Mashatile, who is also the Leader of Government Business in Parliament, made the announcement during the first Three-Sphere Planning session of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) of the seventh Parliament. He proposed launching a competition to identify and reward the cleanest towns, fostering a sense of pride and accountability among municipal leaders.

“In this regard, as leaders in our respective towns, we must launch a competition of the cleanest towns,” Mashatile stated. He highlighted that cleaner cities contribute significantly to attracting investors, enhancing both economic opportunities and community well-being.

The Deputy President revealed that his office will collaborate with the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and the South African Local Government Association (Salga) to establish a committee. This committee will conduct annual assessments of city cleanliness and award the top performers. “This campaign has the potential of ensuring that the private sector and communities, in partnership with the government, ensure that our cities are clean and safe,” Mashatile said.

In addition to the cleanliness initiative, Mashatile emphasized the need for the modernization of the State and government. He pointed out the importance of adopting innovative solutions to keep pace with global digital advancements. “The whole world is going digital in many respects and as South Africa, we must not be left behind,” he asserted.

Mashatile’s speech also addressed the government’s commitment to professionalizing the public service by investing in the National School of Government. This move aims to build a more capable and ethical State. “Honourable Members, in realizing the vision of building a developmental, capable, and ethical State, we will vigorously implement the plan to professionalize the public service,” he stated.

Furthermore, the Deputy President announced plans to enhance government coordination by refocusing the Presidency as the central hub of government operations. This includes aligning critical departments such as CoGTA and the National Treasury to better execute the District Development Model (DDM), which is based on the One Plan-One Vision approach. “We intend to align planning and budgeting as part of implementing the District Development Model,” Mashatile explained. “This we will do to achieve maximum results in building a better life for all.”

The Three-Sphere Planning session, themed ‘Establishing an Oversight Agenda for the Seventh Parliament: Defining Key Oversight Priorities for the NCOP in the Seventh Parliament,’ underscores Parliament’s commitment to strategic innovation and collaborative planning. The session aims to institutionalize a comprehensive oversight framework in line with the constitutional mandate of promoting cooperative governance and coordination.

Mashatile’s announcement reflects a broader government focus on effective implementation of key transformation priorities, aligning with the National Development Plan Vision 2030. By promoting cleaner cities and modernizing government operations, the Deputy President’s plans aim to enhance service delivery, boost investment, and improve the overall quality of life for South Africans.