Gauteng Provincial Government Counsellors’ Imbizo Turnaround Strategy
Thabo Motlhabi
The Gauteng Provincial Government successfully hosted the Counsellors Imbizo on Friday, October 24, 2025 in Johannesburg, Alberton City in collaboration with Gauteng Premier Mr. Panyaza Lesufi, Deputy Minister of COGTA, Dr. Dickson Masemola, mayors, municipal managers and seniors from both provincial and national departments.
The Imbizo served as a critical platform to address key challenges facing the G13 Municipalities and to strengthen cooperative governance across the province. Discussions were focused on pressing issues such as:
* Round Table Engagement on Dolomite and Sinkhole Management
* Corruption and governance within the municipalities
* Water supply, electricity infrastructure, and loadshedding, low reduction
* Streetlightsand public safety
* Managing and improving public transport
* Illegal land invasion and tampering with infrastructure
* Service delivery challenges leading to community unrest.
Crime and illegal immigration were also raised as major concerns, with the province grappling with the socio-economic impact of illegal immigration and its strain on provincial resources and finances.
This turnaround strategy underscores the Gauteng Government’s readiness to host the upcoming G20 Leaders Summit taking place next month, from 22 to 23 November 2025, and its ongoing commitment to transform local government into a model of efficiency, accountability, and innovation.
Premier Mr Lesufi’s from Diagnosis to Delivery
Gauteng Premier Mr Panysza Lesufi emphasised the importance of action over excuses, stating, “We cannot afford to go back to communities with excuses. What the community wants and deserves is delivery. This Imbizo shows that we are moving beyond diagnosing problems to implementing real solutions that change lives.
He highlighted that the province aims to strengthen the service delivery by working hand-in-hand with the residents, local businesses, and industries that contribute to economic growth and job creation. He further stressed the need for environmentally responsible practices, calling on companies to reduce pollution, safeguard infrastructure, and promote cleaner and greener communities.
Institutionalising a Culture of Excellence
MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Mr Jacob Mamabolo echoed Premier Lesufi’s sentiments and proposed the introduction of a Counsellors Awards Ceremony at next year’s Imbizo.
“Let us institutionalise a culture of excellence by rewarding high-performing municipalities. Recognising good performance is not just symbolic. It’s strategic. It reinforces accountability, inspires innovation and helps the standard for what responsive developmental local government should look like.”
A Collective Commitment to Progress
The Counsellors Imbizo reaffirmed the collective will of the provincial and local government leaders to address long-standing issues and restore the dignity and pride of Gauteng Province. The platform represents a shift towards results-driven government, continuous engagement, and measurable improvements in service delivery – ensuring that Gauteng remains the economic hub of the country and a leader in smart, sustainable cities development.