Renovating municipal offices is not a matter of vanity but a necessity to create a professional and efficient workspace, ensuring better service delivery. This was the key message from ANC councillor and chairperson of the eThekwini Municipality Governance Committee, Nkosenhle Madlala, during a recent full council meeting.
The planned renovation of the eThekwini Municipality Deputy City Manager (DCM) Trading Services office on Matthews Meyiwa Road in Greyville is set to cost R1.5 million. According to a council report, the funds will come from savings identified in the KwaXimba Installation, Operation, and Maintenance support project.
A report presented at a council meeting last month confirmed that the Real Estate Unit, responsible for municipal buildings, designated the second floor as the only available space for the DCM Trading Services and the Chief Strategy Officer.
To meet operational requirements, a dedicated maintenance architect and consultant will oversee the necessary floor layout adjustments. Following consultations between the Real Estate and Architecture Units, it was determined that extensive renovations were essential to accommodate the office’s needs.
The renovations will include the creation of 24 modular offices, clustered workspaces, a communal kitchen, a boardroom, a storeroom, a printing room, a reception area, and a waiting room.
Madlala emphasized that the Real Estate Unit acquired the building to centralize multiple municipal departments, with each unit responsible for customizing its space according to its operational needs. He defended the expenditure, stating that the DCM office serves as the nerve center of its unit, and its professional appearance is crucial for maintaining efficiency and effective service delivery.
“The approved budget is strictly for necessary modifications to make the space suitable for municipal use. These renovations are not about luxury. Without them, the offices cannot function properly,” Madlala clarified.
However, not all political parties supported the decision. The matter was put to a vote, with 121 councillors voting in favor of the renovations.
ActionSA spokesperson Saneli Zuma criticized the move, arguing that the funds should have been redirected toward addressing the city’s crumbling infrastructure. “Across eThekwini, residents face daily struggles with non-functional water supply and failing sewage systems. This money could have been better spent fixing these urgent issues,” Zuma stated.
The debate over the municipality’s spending priorities continues, highlighting the ongoing tension between governance needs and pressing service delivery challenges.
