By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – Tensions flared at the Makeneng community hall as residents of Ward 16 rejected the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) public participation meeting, deeming it null and void.
Gathering at the hall on 11 March, frustrated community members argued that they had not been properly notified about the meeting and saw little point in discussing service delivery issues that had yet to be addressed in their area.
Tumi Molehe, a resident, directly challenged municipal officials and the ward councillor, urging them to return to council and bring forward real projects before engaging with the community again.
“This meeting is not a priority because we are not a priority. The five important items listed in the IDP document mean nothing if they are not implemented in our ward. The municipality must go back to council and only return when there is something real to report. We are patient people—we have no jobs and plenty of time on our hands. We will come back in numbers, but only if there is something tangible to discuss,” said Molehe.
Echoing the same frustration, residents Xolani Zwane, Matshidiso Motahane, and Khoali Makheka called for action rather than repeated discussions.
“It’s time we stop talking about documents filled with empty promises. We need real service delivery, not just paperwork. For the past ten years, we’ve been hearing about the same top five priority areas, yet nothing has changed in our community,” Zwane stated.
Residents of Makeneng Ward 16 during IDP meeting.
Motahane criticized the municipality’s communication methods, saying, “Social media is not an effective way to inform us about meetings because not everyone has data all the time. Officials must find a better way to reach us so that we can attend in large numbers and engage in real discussions that affect our community.”
Makheka added, “The councillor must communicate properly with us so that we can spread the message about these meetings to the rest of the community. We want to participate, but we need proper notification.”
Municipal officials present at the meeting included Director of Cooperative Governance Sam Makhubu, Supply Chain Manager Nkgaudise Molefe, LED Manager Tiisetso Makhele, and Ward Councillor Sam Hlalele. The program facilitator, MMC of Social Development Mary Crockett, struggled to maintain order as community members voiced their discontent.
Acknowledging the growing dissatisfaction, Councillor Hlalele conceded to the community’s concerns and agreed to reschedule the meeting.
“I know this community is full of patient people. It is best that we listen to them, respect their request, and reconvene this meeting on a more suitable day,” Hlalele said.
As the IDP consultation process continues, the pressing question remains: will the voices of Makeneng residents finally be heard, or will these meetings continue to be mere formalities with no real impact?
