Speaking to OFM News at his offices at Hostel 1 in Bloemfontein, AASD leader Papi Mokwena outlined the party’s priorities ahead of the November local government elections. Mangaung’s economic decline was being worsened by a lack of transparency and poor engagement between the metro leadership and residents.

Mokwena said rebuilding trust should be among the first priorities of any administration taking over the metro. Residents, businesses, banks and universities should be brought together to develop a shared plan for Mangaung, while ward committees should again play a meaningful role in municipal planning.

“We should be able to bring together all people in Mangaung, banks, universities and say, what is our plan for Mangaung going forward? The third part is that communities are not consulted. The ward committees that are supposed to be there have not been holding meetings and, as a result, our citizens mistrust council.”

Political and administrative leadership, community engagement and economic development would be critical to reversing Mangaung’s decline, he said. The metro also needed to become more attractive to investors by creating a transparent and responsive municipal administration that could guide businesses through processes and provide certainty.

“There are people who want to invest in this city, but they can’t because it’s not open, it’s not transparent. When investors come here, they don’t find a municipal office that is dedicated towards saying this is how we do things,” Mokwena said.

“For me, it’s about trust of people. It’s leadership that is consistent, trustworthy and capable. It’s an administration that can respond to people’s issues. It is citizens that own the city and then they become part of the city on the move, the City of Roses,” he said.

AASD Ward 32 councillor candidate Zwelakhe Msabi said the party would prioritise local enterprise, skills development, job creation and broader economic participation. Restoring trust and staff confidence would take time and that rebuilding Mangaung would require discipline, cooperation and sustained effort.

Mokwena also raised concerns about persistent water and sanitation problems despite significant government investment in infrastructure. Mangaung needed leaders who could restore confidence among residents and ensure communities once again felt a sense of ownership and responsibility for the city.

“The work before us will not be easy. Restoring trust and staff confidence will take time. Rebuilding the city will require discipline. Creating opportunities for our people will demand courage, cooperation and sustained effort,” Msabi said.

The party said it would push for a clean, capable and professional administration while demanding greater accountability for water, electricity, sanitation, roads and waste removal. It also wants stronger municipal complaint and response systems so residents receive answers, progress reports and clear response times.

Rebuilding Mangaung would ultimately depend on restoring the relationship between residents, businesses and the municipality, Mokwena said. A more transparent administration, stronger community participation and a better environment for investment would be needed to create economic opportunities and rebuild confidence in the metro.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi sm

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