By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya used her state of the capital address on Thursday to announce six priority areas aimed at shaping the metro as an ideal investment and tourism destination.
Moya delivered her first State of the City Address, six months after being appointed the capital’s first citizen.
Moya’s priority areas include financial stability and revenue enhancement; economic revitalisation and investment attraction; infrastructure development and service delivery acceleration; a safe and clean city; social services and community wellbeing; and strengthening governance and customer care.
She said the metro’s finances have been stabilised during her first six months in office.
“Our debtors’ book has seen a meaningful reduction. In just one month, it dropped from R29.6 billion to R25.58 billion, a 13.56% decrease,” she said.
She said the city’s cash reserves are estimated to reach R2.86 billion in the 2025/26 financial year.
Moya attributed the turnaround in Tshwane’s finances to stronger revenue collections and the implementation of targeted debt relief for residents who needed it most.
While Moody’s Rating Agency listed Tshwane as noninvestment grade, Moya said, they expect an updated credit opinion after a recent management review. Our aim is clear: to restore investor confidence in the capital city, she said.
Moya added that the metro’s electricity infrastructure has been intentionally neglected for too long.
Her remarks came as repair work continued at the Brakfontein substation.
This after a fire broke out at the substation last Thursday, leaving several areas without power.
Moya said the fire caused multiple trips at other substations, requiring swift intervention.
“The stability of Kwagga Substation is critical, it supplies power to more than 58% of Tshwane, yet its infrastructure is over 50 years old. We are moving ahead with plans to upgrade the substation, including the replacement of a damaged transformer and other ageing equipment.
“Njala Infeed Station has also reached its capacity, we are working with Eskom to build the new Wildebees Infeed Station, which will significantly improve supply reliability.
“The near completion of the Mooikloof and Wapadrand Substations will also contribute to energy security in Pretoria East. In Soshanguve, the upgrades to the JJ powerline will provide energy security to support the area’s growing population.”
Moya also announced that there has been a consistent supply of water to the communities in Attredgeville, Laudium, Mabopane and Soshanguve.
“The addition of areas in Hammanskraal – Ramotse, Kekana Gardens, Marokolong, Mandela Village and Babelegi industrial to the communities that receive clean water remains a huge achievement to be celebrated.
“With the continued efforts of Magalies Water, the next module should be completed at the end of April.
She further revealed that they’re making important strides through the rollout of the Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN).
This initiative is designed to offer faster, more efficient, and affordable public transport options for our residents, while easing congestion and reducing the City’s carbon footprint.
“A key milestone in this process is the approval of our first 12-year Bus Operating Company Agreement (BOCA 1), signed with affected taxi operators in Tshwane. This agreement marks a major step toward modernising public transport and expanding services to the communities of Mamelodi and Atteridgeville.”
Moya added that her administration is advancing the Informal Trading and Township Economy by-law, aimed at empowering small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) to boost employment opportunities in the townships.
Meanwhile former mayor Cilliers Brink said that some of Moya’s recent successes were in part through the work of the previous DA-led coalition government.
The DA in Tshwane said that Moya inherited a capital on the brink of recovery.
The return of clean drinking water to Hammanskraal, settling some debt incurred by the metro and delivering the municipality’s first funded budget in four years.
Read the full speech here:http://tshwanetalks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Speech-by-Tshwane-Executive-Mayor-Dr-Nasiphi-Moya-SoCA-2025-3.9-Economic-Growth-Can-Only-be-Achieved-by-Cultivating-Infrastructure-led-growth-in-a-Safe-Clean-City.pdf.