DEPUTY PRESIDENT PAUL MASHATILE LEADS SERVICE DELIVERY AND CLEANING CAMPAIGN IN MATJHABENG LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

By Thembile Nqabeni.

• Deputy President Paul Mashatile, together with national, provincial and local leaders, launched an integrated cleaning and service delivery campaign in Matjhabeng Local Municipality as South Africa began Nelson Mandela Month
• The initiative draws on the District Development Model, strengthening collaboration across government to accelerate infrastructure upgrades and inspire communities to maintain cleaner, safer environments
• Visits to the Renergen helium plant and wastewater facilities, road repairs and a community engagement in Thabong all formed part of a day focused on dignity, investment and service delivery

Deputy President Paul Mashatile, joined by Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, MEC Mathabo Leeto, District Mayor Veronica Ntakumba and Matjhabeng Mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha, led a vigorous service delivery and cleaning drive on Tuesday, 1 July 2025. The campaign signalled government’s commitment to building healthier, more liveable communities through the District Development Model, which champions the principle of “One Plan One Budget.”
The day started with a visit to the Renergen helium plant, a milestone project that places South Africa among a handful of nations producing liquid helium. Helium plays a vital role in critical technologies such as MRI scanners, semiconductors and aerospace engines. The plant is set to boost local jobs, stimulate economic growth in the Free State and strengthen national energy capabilities.
Deputy President Mashatile also visited the Matjhabeng Wastewater Treatment Plant, where more than R100 million has been invested to address long-standing water and sanitation challenges. A pothole patching operation followed, reflecting the campaign’s integrated approach to infrastructure renewal. The day ended in Thabong, Welkom, where residents accessed services ranging from healthcare to social development and home affairs support.
Leaders stressed that clean, functioning communities attract investment, promote public health and restore pride. Speaking at the event, Deputy President Mashatile called on all citizens to honour Nelson Mandela’s legacy by caring for their surroundings. “We must not remain a campaign. It must become a way of life, for our people,” he said.
He linked clean environments to broader prosperity. “A clean environment is the foundation for a functioning, prosperous society. We must also guard and maintain our infrastructure to ensure long-term benefits. And as leaders, we must leave our offices and meet people where they are; to listen, understand, and respond to their lived realities.”
The cleaning campaign, which started in Kliptown, Gauteng, has grown into a national effort. More than just removing waste and fixing roads, it is about giving communities back their dignity, drawing investment and ensuring residents can rely on essential services.