The City of Tshwane has introduced its 23-member Amabutho Team as part of the multiparty coalition government's ongoing efforts to strengthen internal capacity and improve frontline service delivery.
The newly introduced team consists of 10 electricians, 10 plumbers and 3 welders, all trained through the Tshwane Leadership and Management Academy (TLMA). The artisans will play a key role in maintaining municipal infrastructure and facilities, with their work aimed at ensuring that public spaces remain safe, functional and welcoming.
The Amabutho Team will be responsible for work across horticulture, community facilities, roads and storm water infrastructure. The team will be deployed through two key systems, namely an asset register, which will guide periodic maintenance at municipal buildings, and a job card system through which regions can submit maintenance requests.
The initiative forms part of the City's broader investment in strengthening its own operational capacity. This includes investments in municipal fleet and horticultural equipment, enabling City teams to respond more effectively to maintenance needs while making better use of resources available within the City.
The MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, Ald Flora Monama, said the initiative was about more than technical work, emphasising the importance of teamwork and accountability across the City. "A municipality functions best when its different parts understand that they are connected by one responsibility, which is serving the residents of Tshwane and ensuring that the institution itself is able to perform its duties effectively," said Ald Monama.
Ald Monama further highlighted the importance of having the right skills in the right places, saying maintenance should be viewed as part of building a dependable and responsive City. She stressed that officials must communicate effectively, follow the appropriate processes and ensure that work is undertaken responsibly, with attention to quality and safety.
The Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Ald Nasiphi Moya, said that the launch represents another step in the City's commitment to improving service delivery and restoring public confidence. "We also want to restore confidence in the people of Tshwane when they come to our facilities," said Ald Moya, adding that the City owns more than 2 000 facilities, with the team expected to focus on maintaining about 400 of them.
Ald Moya said that the initiative demonstrates that the City is continuing to deliver on its commitment to save taxpayer money by maximising its internal resources and capabilities.