Deputy President Leads Clean Cities Drive in Free State’s Matjhabeng

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will spearhead the next phase of the Clean Cities and Towns Campaign on Tuesday, 1 July 2025, in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality, located near Welkom in the Free State. This significant campaign—launched in Gauteng last month—aims to inspire citizens to take part in cleaning and greening their communities while advancing the broader goals of service delivery and community development.

A National Call for Cleaner, Greener Communities

The Clean Cities and Towns Campaign is a flagship initiative led by the Office of the Deputy President. It seeks to transform urban and rural environments across South Africa through collaborative community action, local government coordination, and support from national departments.

The campaign encourages residents of townships, towns, and villages to participate in hands-on activities such as street cleaning, landscaping, waste collection, pothole filling, and road markings. These tasks not only improve public spaces but also foster a culture of volunteerism, community ownership, and civic pride.

“It is envisaged that the service delivery initiative will not only promote cleaner surroundings but also cultivate a sense of community spirit, volunteerism, and pride among residents,” the Deputy President’s office stated.

Aligning with the District Development Model

The campaign also aligns with the District Development Model (DDM), a government framework designed to improve coherence in service delivery and resource allocation across municipalities. By bringing together local, provincial, and national government actors, the DDM fosters integrated development planning and responsive governance.

The Clean Cities and Towns Campaign complements this vision by directly addressing the socio-economic and environmental challenges that many municipalities face, including poor sanitation, inadequate infrastructure maintenance, and unemployment.

Key Site Visits: Promoting Innovation and Infrastructure

As part of his visit to Matjhabeng, Deputy President Mashatile will undertake a guided tour of the Renergen Tetra4 Facility, a helium and natural gas plant located in the area. This visit underscores the Deputy President’s interest in leveraging industrial innovation for local economic development.

The Tetra4 Helium Plant is the first of its kind in South Africa and plays a key role in tapping into the country’s unique helium reserves, which are among the richest in the world. The project also contributes to job creation, technological development, and national energy security.

The Deputy President will engage directly with facility workers and management to gain insight into the challenges and opportunities associated with this pioneering venture.

Assessing Sanitation Infrastructure: Thabong Water Treatment Plant

In the second leg of his Free State engagement, the Deputy President will visit the Thabong Water Treatment Plant, a critical infrastructure project aimed at improving sanitation services for thousands of residents in Thabong East, Thabong Central, Riebeeckstad, and Bronville.

The plant’s completion is expected to enhance water quality, reduce health risks, and ensure a more reliable supply of clean water to surrounding communities. The Deputy President’s inspection visit reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to accelerate infrastructure delivery and address service backlogs in historically underserved areas.

Hands-On Community Engagement

The final leg of the Deputy President’s visit will see him participate directly in community-led service activities under the Clean Cities campaign. These will include:

• Filling potholes on public roads

• Marking road signage for safety

• Clearing debris and litter

• Landscaping and beautification projects

This practical engagement is designed to demonstrate leadership by example and highlight the importance of inclusive participation in municipal development.

Collaborative Leadership on Display

Joining the Deputy President in Matjhabeng will be Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae, as well as senior officials from the provincial, district, and local governments. Key participants include:

• Thanduxolo Khalipha, Executive Mayor of Matjhabeng Local Municipality

• Veronica Ntakumbana, Executive Mayor of Lejweleputswa District Municipality

• Representatives from national departments and civil society groups

Their joint presence signifies the multi-sphere collaboration central to the campaign’s success.

A Broader Vision for Cleaner, Inclusive Cities

The Clean Cities and Towns Campaign is not merely about aesthetic improvement. It is part of a larger socio-economic renewal agenda, which recognizes that clean environments contribute to:

• Public health and safety

• Enhanced investor confidence

• Community dignity and social cohesion

• Local job creation through public employment programs

Through initiatives like this, the South African government aims to transform townships and rural areas into dignified, livable spaces where development is citizen-centered and sustainable.

As Deputy President Mashatile leads this phase in the Free State, it sets the tone for similar interventions in other provinces in the months to come—laying the groundwork for a more inclusive, resilient, and environmentally conscious South Africa.