SAMWU welcomes Tshwane State of the City Address, Call for Steps to Pay Outstanding Salary Increases

April 11, 2025 adminPress

11 April 2025

The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) Tshwane Region welcomes the 2025 State of the City Address delivered by Executive Mayor Cllr Nasiphi Moya on 10 April 2025. This address marks a significant step toward restoring public confidence in the City’s governance, particularly through its focus on six resident-centered priority areas designed to guide service delivery. We commend the coalition government’s collaborative and pragmatic approach, which stands in stark contrast to the instability and factionalism of previous administrations. Of paramount importance is the commitment to stabilise the City’s finances, including the adoption of a funded budget, the introduction of debt relief schemes, the implementation of aggressive revenue collection strategies, and the prioritization of settling historical debts to critical entities such as Eskom and Rand Water. These measures are not only essential for fiscal sustainability but also foundational to rebuilding the City’s credibility and ensuring uninterrupted service provision to residents who have endured years of erratic delivery.

We appreciate the administration’s emphasis on infrastructure development as a pillar of economic revitalization. The plans to unlock the Bon Accord quarry’s potential—a long-underutilized asset—to boost asphalt production for pothole repairs and generate municipal revenue are both practical and visionary. This initiative, coupled with additional funding for the Tshwane Fresh Produce Market, demonstrates a recognition of the interconnectedness of infrastructure, economic opportunity, and quality of life. Similarly, the refurbishment of HB Philips and Tshwane Events Centres reflects a strategic shift from short-term fixes to long-term investments that will reduce operational costs and create sustainable income streams. SAMWU also welcomes the waste-to-energy initiative at Pretoria West Power Station, a project that aligns with our years of advocacy for the revitalization of Pretoria West and Rooiwal Power Stations. Restoring the City’s energy generation capacity is not just an economic imperative but a moral one, ensuring that residents and businesses are no longer held hostage by unreliable energy supply.

The City’s intention to build internal capacity by reducing reliance on costly external service providers is a progressive and socially responsible step. The insourcing of cleaners, the provision of tools of trade to 1,200 security personnel, and the procurement of municipal-owned water tankers and waste trucks will not only enhance service efficiency but also restore dignity and job security to workers who have endured years of precarious employment. This shift acknowledges a fundamental truth: a well-resourced, permanent workforce is the backbone of effective service delivery. By investing in its employees, the City invests in the quality and reliability of services provided to residents, fostering a culture of accountability and pride in public service.

Notably, the 2025 Address signals a departure from the antagonistic labour relations that have characterized the City’s approach in recent years. Initiatives such as staff excellence awards and productivity-driven engagement are commendable, as they recognize the centrality of workers in achieving the City’s goals. However, SAMWU must underscore the urgency of resolving longstanding grievances that continue to undermine worker morale. The City’s failure to implement the 3.5% (2021) and 5.4% (2023) salary adjustments—now subject to pending labour court processes—remains a festering injustice. These increases are not merely numerical adjustments but represent the livelihoods of workers who have kept the City running through crises, often at great personal sacrifice. With the City now reporting R2.86 billion in cash reserves, there can be no justification for further delays. We urge the Executive Mayor and Council to prioritize the resolution of these arrears as a matter of moral and legal obligation, ensuring that workers are not forced to bear the brunt of past fiscal mismanagement.

While SAMWU remains cautiously optimistic about the Mayor’s vision, we stress that true progress hinges on transparent worker consultation, equitable resource allocation, and unwavering accountability. The City’s commitments—from infrastructure projects to insourcing—must translate into tangible improvements in both service delivery and working conditions. We call for regular, structured engagement with labour to monitor implementation and address bottlenecks. The resolution of the 3.5% and 5.4% wage disputes will serve as a critical indicator of the administration’s sincerity in fostering a new era of cooperation. SAMWU reaffirms its commitment to collaboration but emphasizes that partnership requires mutual respect, timely action on agreements, and a steadfast focus on justice for workers and residents alike.

Issued by SAMWU Tshwane Region

Donald Monakhisi
Regional Secretary
0665914548

Simon Leburu
Deputy Regional Secretary
0836723944