By Thapelo Molefe
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has launched the government’s integrated cleaning and service delivery campaign in Matjhabeng, Free State, to mark the start of Mandela Month.
Mashatile was joined Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae, Matjhabeng mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha, Lejweleputswa District mayor Veronica Ntakumbana, and other senior government officials.
The initiative is part of a broader national effort to promote cleaner, safer, and more livable communities across South Africa.
“This must not remain a campaign. It must become a way of life,” said Mashatile.
“A clean environment is essential for a functioning, prosperous society. We must also maintain our infrastructure to ensure long-term benefits. As leaders, we must engage directly with our communities—to listen, understand, and respond to their realities.”
The Clean Cities and Towns campaign, originally launched in Gauteng in June, is now a nationwide initiative aimed at fostering cleaner, greener, and more inclusive urban and rural environments.
It encourages citizens to participate in local cleaning activities, fostering community pride and volunteerism.
The campaign aligns with the District Development Model (DDM) and supports commitments made by the Deputy President at the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) Lekgotla earlier this year.
Letsoha-Mathae said unclean environments contribute to a range of social problems, including crime.
“We believe that poorly maintained towns breed lawlessness,” she said.
“That’s why we’re bringing integrated services directly to our communities, so people feel government’s presence where it matters most.”
The day started with a visit to the Renegen helium plant, a multi-billion-rand project with the potential to transform the Free State economy.
Operated by Renergen, the Virginia Gas Project is a transformative energy initiative covering 187,000 hectares under exclusive onshore petroleum production rights until 2042.
The facility is expected to create more jobs, boost local economic activity, and contribute to national energy resilience.
Phase 1 of the project has already seen the successful production of up to 350 kg/day of helium and 50 tonnes/day of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), supporting local energy demands.
Phase 2 aims to scale up significantly — positioning South Africa to supply up to 8% of global helium demand and producing 680 tonnes/day of LNG.
To date, the project has attracted investments exceeding R2 billion, with an additional R23 billion committed for Phase 2 development under President Cyril Ramaphosa’s InvestSA initiative.
The project has created over 74 permanent and 385 temporary jobs during Phase 1.
Phase 2 is expected to increase permanent jobs to 250 and create more than 1,000 temporary jobs during construction.
Mashatile then visited the Matjhabeng Wastewater Treatment Plant, where a significant infrastructure upgrade funded through collaboration between national and local government is addressing longstanding water and sanitation challenges.
Over R100 million has been invested in the refurbishment of this vital facility, which will improve service reliability and sustainability for surrounding communities.
A pothole patching operation followed, highlighting the campaign’s holistic approach to infrastructure renewal.
The day concluded with a community engagement session in Thabong, Welkom, where residents had direct access to services including healthcare, social development, and home affairs.
Answering a wide range of questions from reporters, including those on the tensions in the Government of National Unity (GNU), Mashatile vowed that any motion of no confidence brought against President Cyril Ramaphosa would be defeated in the National Assembly.
He also confirmed that parties within the GNU would continue to support all budget votes, even without backing from the Democratic Alliance (DA).
The DA has vowed to oppose the budgets of what it calls “corruption-accused ANC ministers,” including Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane and Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane.
“We will vote for all budgets because our people want us to fix the roads. They want water. They want electricity. They want us to grow the economy and employ people and that’s what the budget is all about,” Mashatile said.
“We want this country to work, and we are proceeding.”
He dismissed concerns about political manoeuvring that could derail government programmes.
“If they don’t vote for any budget, that’s their business. But the budget is not an instrument of a minister; it is for the nation,” he added.
“We’ll be ready to defeat any motion of no confidence. We are focused on delivering to the people.”
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