2012-03-19: Tau to deliver his first State of the City Address
JOHANNESBURG Executive Mayor Parks Tau will deliver his first State of the City Address (SOCA) as executive mayor of Johannesburg on Thursday 22 March 2012.
Although Mayor Tau has experienced the opening of Council over the years, this will be his first taste as the political head of the City. At approximately 10.25am a mayoral cavalcade will form at the corners of Bertha and Jorissen Streets. It will then proceed along Jorissen Street back towards the Metro Centre on Civic Boulevard.
At the Metro Centre piazza, Mayor Tau and his wife will take a salute from JMPD and EMS drill squads and then lay a wreath in commemoration of EMS and JMPD officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Thereafter they will proceed into the Council Chambers for his address at 11am. The Speaker of Council councilor Constance Bapela will officially open Council, welcome guests whereafter the mayor will be asked to deliver his address.
Councilor Bapela says, "Although the Council of Johannesburg has already met this year, the formal opening is when the executive mayor delivers his State of the City Address".
Councillor Bapela said that the SOCA "sets targets" for what should be "achieved in a particular calendar year".
The SOCA will be broadcast live on Kaya 95.9fm and the following community radio stations: Alex 89.1fm, Eastwave 92.2fm, Eldos 87.6fm, Islam 1548mv, Jozi 105.8fm, Mix/Midrand 102.3fm, Radio Today 1485am and Thetha 100.6fm.
It will be also shown live in these fan parks and recreation centres: Diepsloot, Orange Farm, Thokoza and Ivory Parks as well as Westbury Recreation Centre and the Jabulani Civic Centre.
"I encourage residents to tune into their favourite community radio station from 11am or watch the event live in certain fan parks and recreation centres" says clr Bapela.
The SOCA at the opening of Council is one of the most important events of the year. Mayor Tau will surely give an indication of the City's continued commitment to the well being of residents and highlight some new projects and initiatives planned.
He is likely to stress the importance of good governance around improving oversight within the City and building financial sustainability.
"Joburg, a high performing metropolitan government that pro-actively contributes to and builds a sustainable, socially inclusive, locally integrated and globally competitive Gauteng City Region".
Issued on behalf of:
Councilor Constance Bapela
Speaker of Council
Issued by:
Virgil James
Spokesperson
City of Joburg
082 467 9415/011 407 7226
