Cape Town has achieved a Clean Audit thanks to Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis’s leadership and the city’s dedication to superior services. The city has attracted real estate investments and topped sustainability rankings. Over 205,000 jobs were added, and sanitation, water, and electricity access have improved. The city has invested in law enforcement, economic initiatives, public transportation, and sustainability.
Cape Town has achieved a Clean Audit opinion from the Auditor General for the fiscal year of 2022/23, thanks to the effective leadership of Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and the city’s dedication towards providing superior services to its citizens. The city has also attracted substantial real estate investments and topped various sustainability rankings and awards. Over 205,000 jobs were added, and efforts to enhance sanitation and access to water and electricity have been successful. The city has also invested in law enforcement, economic initiatives, public transportation, and sustainability.
Successful Leadership and Clean Audit Achievements
Under the effective leadership of Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, Cape Town has embarked on an impressive journey of quality governance and sustainable development. This dedication has earned the city a Clean Audit opinion from the Auditor General for the fiscal year of 2022/23. The Clean Audit distinction serves as a robust acknowledgment of the city’s steadfast commitment to strategic expenditure, diligent record maintenance, and stringent adherence to legal requirements. On the final day of January, the City Council plans to scrutinize and deliberate on the city’s draft report and financial statements for the same fiscal year.
Commitment to Service Delivery
The clean audit is not merely a symbolic accomplishment, as emphasized by Hill-Lewis, but a tangible manifestation of the city’s firm dedication towards providing superior services to all its citizens. This culture of excellent governance has been pivotal in enticing substantial real estate investments, totaling R3.5 billion in the fiscal year 22/23. This has significantly augmented the city’s revenue stream and ensured its long-term viability. Moreover, this strong governance model has facilitated a record-breaking infrastructure expenditure of R6.94 billion, surpassing the investment levels seen during the FIFA World Cup.
Taking Care of Suppliers
Cape Town’s dedication to its suppliers, especially small-scale businesses, can be seen in the city’s ability to clear 99.5% of supplier invoices within a month, thus maintaining their cash flow.
Awards and Recognitions
Accolades and Rankings
Cape Town’s road to success is adorned with various prestigious awards and recognitions. The city has been named the most sustainable city in South Africa for 2022/23 by the Municipal Financial Sustainability Index and has also topped the Knights Sustainable Cities Index. Furthermore, Ratings Afrika recognized Cape Town as the best municipality in South Africa in 2023, while renowned credit rating agencies such as Moody’s gave the city a robust credit rating with a stable outlook.
Attributing Success to City Officials
Councillor Siseko Mbandezi, Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, praised the city officials for the clean audit. He attributed this achievement to the city’s committed officials who have consistently served the citizens of Cape Town with dedication.
Service Delivery Highlights
Job Creation and Infrastructure Improvement
The City’s 2022/23 Annual Report presents several noteworthy accomplishments in service delivery. Over 205,000 jobs were added in Cape Town last year, outpacing all other cities combined. Efforts to enhance sanitation saw the city doubling its sewer pipe replacement from 25 to 50km annually and achieving significant progress on major wastewater and bulk sewer upgrades. Access to piped water improved to 99.1% from 95.7%, and adequate sanitation access increased to 96.2% from 92.4%.
Improved Electricity Access
In terms of electricity, access surged to 94.9% from 91.7%, with 2,440 new connections made, far surpassing the target of 1,500. The city managed to reduce load-shedding levels by 14% and has set an ambitious goal of eliminating the first four stages of Eskom load-shedding by 2025/26.
Law Enforcement, Economic Boost and Sustainable Initiatives
Law Enforcement and Safety Measures
In the domain of law enforcement and safety, the city has observed the largest body and dashcam rollout in South Africa. Over 930 drone flights were integrated into focused policing operations as part of an R860m safety tech investment over three years. The city’s enforcement agencies have conducted nearly 7,000 drug raids resulting in 942 arrests, an impressive 30% higher than expected.
Economic Initiatives and Public Transportation
To stimulate the economy, Cape Town introduced a new Ease of Doing Business Index to monitor ten essential indicators that facilitate investment into the city’s economy. Public transportation experienced 18.3 million passenger trips on the MyCiti service, with the N2 Express service to Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha becoming one of the busiest routes in the city.
Embracing Sustainability
In a move towards sustainability, all traffic lights have been fitted with energy-saving LED lights. Approximately 209km of road was rehabilitated, resurfaced, or resealed. Safe Space transitional shelter facilities were expanded with a budget of R230 million over three years to aid more people off the streets. This initiative successfully placed 2,246 people in shelters in 22/23.
Housing Initiatives
A key initiative saw more than 1,300 social housing units reach critical land release milestones in 22/23, and the launch of a new ‘no-cost transfer’ program that transforms public rental unit tenants into proud homeowners.
What is the Clean Audit achievement in Cape Town?
Cape Town has achieved a Clean Audit opinion from the Auditor General for the fiscal year of 2022/23, thanks to the effective leadership of Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and the city’s dedication towards providing superior services to its citizens.
How has Cape Town improved its service delivery?
Cape Town has improved its service delivery by enhancing sanitation and access to water and electricity, creating over 205,000 jobs, investing in law enforcement, economic initiatives, public transportation, and sustainability.
What awards and recognitions has Cape Town received?
Cape Town has been named the most sustainable city in South Africa for 2022/23 by the Municipal Financial Sustainability Index and has also topped the Knights Sustainable Cities Index. Furthermore, Ratings Afrika recognized Cape Town as the best municipality in South Africa in 2023, while renowned credit rating agencies such as Moody’s gave the city a robust credit rating with a stable outlook.
How has Cape Town taken care of its suppliers?
Cape Town has taken care of its suppliers, especially small-scale businesses, by clearing 99.5% of supplier invoices within a month, thus maintaining their cash flow.
What are the highlights of Cape Town’s service delivery?
Cape Town’s service delivery highlights include the addition of over 205,000 jobs, significant progress on major wastewater and bulk sewer upgrades, improved access to piped water and electricity, and doubling the sewer pipe replacement rate.
What sustainable initiatives has Cape Town embraced?
Cape Town has embraced sustainable initiatives, including fitting all traffic lights with energy-saving LED lights, rehabilitating 209km of road, expanding Safe Space transitional shelter facilities, and launching a new ‘no-cost transfer’ program that transforms public rental unit tenants into proud homeowners.
