March is a period of national reflection, rooted in the enduring legacy of Sharpeville Massacre and the ongoing pursuit of human dignity, equality, and justice. As we commemorate Human Rights Month, we are reminded that the rights enshrined in our Constitution must find expression in the daily lived experiences of our people – through access to services, opportunities, and a responsive, caring state.
It is within this context that Mogale City Local Municipality intensified its developmental agenda throughout March, ensuring that the principles of human rights are translated into tangible outcomes across our communities.
In advancing the national imperative of youth development, Mogale City hosted the South African Local Government Association National (SALGA) Youth Commission. This strategic engagement was a deliberate intervention to institutionalise youth development across municipalities, driving the establishment of Youth Commissions and strengthening social cohesion. The empowerment of young people remains central to building a capable and developmental state.
Our Integrated Service Delivery Programme, currently underway in Kagiso from the 4th of March until the 27th of April, reflects government in action. This large-scale intervention brings multidisciplinary teams onto the ground to respond directly to community needs, ranging from infrastructure maintenance to by-law enforcement and social support services. It is through this coordinated approach that we ensure visible, responsive governance.
The commemoration of COSAS 4 during this month further reinforced the significance of youth activism in the struggle for freedom, and the responsibility we carry to safeguard those hard-won rights. Human rights must be defended not only in principle, but through deliberate programmes that improve the quality of life of our residents.
In restoring dignity to our informal settlements, we handed over Enviroloo sanitation units in Smokedown, Ward 30. This forms part of our broader programme to eradicate chemical toilets across Mogale City. Access to safe sanitation is a basic human right, and we remain committed to delivering sustainable solutions to our communities.
We also marked a significant milestone with the opening and handover of the Kagiso Extension 6 Library, an inclusive, technologically advanced facility designed to serve as a centre for knowledge, innovation, and digital access. This investment highlights our commitment to empowering communities through education and information.
The launch of the 2026 Safer City Arrive Alive Campaign in Kagiso reaffirmed our zero-tolerance stance on lawlessness. With a clear objective of zero fatalities, this campaign strengthens law enforcement visibility and community partnerships to ensure safer roads and safer communities. The message is unequivocal – respect for the law is non-negotiable.
In observance of Water Month, we concluded March with an oversight programme in partnership with the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Gauteng Department for Human Settlements, led by MEC Motara. This engagement reaffirmed the importance of sustainable water provision and integrated human settlements in advancing human dignity.
Equally important is the progress on the Dr Sefularo Housing Development in Hekpoort. Following a favourable court outcome, this project now moves forward as a victory for the people which restores hope and advancing spatial justice in a community that has long experienced marginalisation. It stands as a clear demonstration of government’s commitment to redressing historical inequalities.
This Human Rights Month, we reaffirm that the work of government must always be development-driven and anchored in the principles of dignity and equality. The progress achieved in March is a clear indication that Mogale City is steadily advancing towards a future that leaves no one behind.
Executive Mayor of Mogale City
Cllr Lucky Godfrey Sele