Yesterday, Cape Town’s Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis shared more on the Building Hope Budget, set to be a game-changer for the City. Here are some of the most promising take-aways!
Cape Town, South Africa (30 March, 2023) — From missions to end loadshedding to safety programmes that go beyond simply blaming SAPS, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis’ Building Hope Budget speech was buttered with promising points.
If actioned, these points could become game-changers for the City of Cape Town, and South Africa’s future.
A Lot of Zeros
The budget is to the tune of R69 000 000 000— no shortage of zeros. This is how much the City’s teams have calculated necessary for the big budget’s elements to play out.
Infrastructure that Topple’s the World Cup
A part of the plan is to pump the gas on infrastructure development.
According to the mayor, this requires more than what was spent during the 2010 World Cup! However, the infrastructure plans would see R30 million’s worth of building every day. For the next 365 days. Much of this is promised to water and sanitation projects—a massive need for residents’ health and safety.
Cooling Down the Cost of Living
Although employment increased recently for the Western Cape, we all know it’s a pretty expensive time to be alive in South Africa.
And, most South Africans look to the government for answers when they can’t get support. Cape Town wants to provide a social support package of over R4 billion. Households with a monthly income lower than R7500 would also continue receiving help from the basic service delivery programmes (water, electricity and free sanitation).
And, a 100% rebate for property rates has also been added as of this year, which would help 192 500 households.
Eishkom’s End?
Hill-Lewis shares that because it isn’t possible to subside the endless Eskom hike without cutting into other basic services, the only way forward is to end loadshedding — no pipe dream.
A large part of the Hope Budget would focus on a 3-year end plan set on:
- Independent power purchases
- The Power Heroes Programme
- And sunny solutions (solar)
He says:
“We are confident that Cape Town will be the first metro to break free from the suffocating hold that Eskom has placed on our country, and in doing so we will show that there is a bright electric light at the end of this Eskom tunnel.”
Water Action
The mayor said that there’s been a huge decline in sewer spills (fantastic) but the City’s focus turns more to water than ever before to keep the better numbers up. This would mean various station upgrades focused on the City’s outskirts, like the Cape Flats.
Safety Strategies
Cape Town programmes like LEAP have already seen more boots on the ground. However, the future’s Safety Budget will see more Metro officers, training and tech in the mix, instead of simply pointing fingers at understaffed police stations.
“If we are to truly win the war, we are going to have to equip our local law enforcement officers with the powers to do real investigative police work.”— Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
Back to Basics
From road maintenance to a focus on informal settlements and community-clean ups, there’s a lot of work to be done in the City. However, the Building Hope Budget would make the City more responsible for the work done, and give more unsung heroes the tools they need.
Turn in the Tide for Townships and the Homeless
For the first time ever, a roll-out of support offices in townships is on the cards. This promises to help develop small-scale rental units for underprivileged families. Shelters for the homeless were also factored into the budget with the Safe Space shelters initiative.
The Building Hope Budget is officially open for public input!
“That where there are decent people, working hard, with a clear plan and a brave vision, we can fix our country.” — Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis
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