RAUBEX 2026
In a remarkable act of community service, Raubex has once again demonstrated its commitment to the residents of Universitas, Mangaung, by repairing 46 potholes and patching 9 roads in the Logeman Street area. This initiative, undertaken without reliance on municipal support, underscores Raubex’s dedication to road safety and infrastructure maintenance—responsibilities that the ANC-led Mangaung Metro Municipality has consistently neglected.
Despite residents paying taxes that are meant to fund essential services such as road maintenance, the ANC-run municipality has failed to uphold its duty, leaving streets riddled with dangerous potholes that damage vehicles and endanger motorists. The blatant disregard for infrastructure upkeep forces private companies like Raubex to step in and perform the work that should rightfully be handled by the municipality.
Raubex’s selfless intervention is a testament to its corporate social responsibility, providing much-needed relief to Universitas residents who have long suffered due to governmental inefficiency. The company’s commitment to ensuring safer roads, despite not being obligated to do so, speaks volumes about its integrity and willingness to support the local community.
Meanwhile, the Mangaung Metro Municipality must be held accountable for its continued mismanagement of public funds. With taxpayers contributing millions in revenue annually, residents rightfully demand better service delivery. The municipality’s failure to address these critical issues raises serious concerns about where these funds are actually being allocated.
It is high time that the ANC-led local government prioritises its legal and ethical obligations. The people of Mangaung deserve functioning infrastructure, not empty promises and further neglect. If private companies like Raubex can take the initiative to improve community living conditions, why can’t the municipality fulfil its basic responsibilities?
Raubex’s work in Universitas is commendable, and the community extends its deepest gratitude for their generosity and commitment. Their actions highlight what responsible leadership should look like—something the Mangaung Metro Municipality would do well to learn from. [ Metro Correspondent 31 March 2025 ]
Article by Metro Correspondent - HESM 14 March 2025
Photo supplied.
Photo supplied.
Photo supplied.
Photo supplied.
The Free State is reportedly the worst-performing province in South Africa economically. It has a high unemployment rate, financial problems, and many students failing at school.
Economic Performance
In 2023, the Free State had the lowest growth rate (0.1%) of South Africa's nine provinces, as the country's GDP grew by 0.7%.
In Q2 2024, the province experienced a decline of 0.1%, following its poor economic performance in conjunction with the Northern Cape.
Despite a modest Q1 2024 upturn, avoiding recession, the Free State remains one of the poorly performing provinces.
Principal Economic Regions
Agriculture: The province generates 5% of the country's agricultural production, mainly producing maize, wheat, cattle, and sheep.
Mining: It has large gold, diamond, and coal mining activities.
Manufacturing: The Sasolburg refinery of Sasol is extremely significant.
Challenges
Unemployment: Standing at 38.5%, rising to 41% if the wider definition is used.
Municipal Failures: Poor service delivery resulting from corruption, politically motivated appointments without qualifications, and financial mismanagement.
Infrastructure Deterioration: Only 6% of the roads are in good condition, while 33% are extremely poor.
Education Crisis: Even as students record a high pass rate, 41% of them drop out between Grades 10 and 12.
Proposed Solutions
Shifting funds from ailing projects to construct infrastructure, particularly roads.
Encouraging enterprises to invest in rural towns by producing food and energy.
Embracing AI and technology-driven governance changes.
Enhancing rural security to discourage farm crime. The economic revival of the Free State depends on firm political will, shifts in governance, and astute investments in infrastructure and local economies.
Original article on Businesstech
MANGAUNG METRO HOSTS TWO-DAY INFRASTRUCTURE INDABA
Mangaung Metro launched its two-day Infrastructure Indaba on Thursday, 13 February 2025, at the Bloemfontein City Hall. This event is led by the electricity entity, CENTLEC. The Infrastructure Indaba is one of the events that set the stage for the first Mangaung Investment Summit. The last day of the summit is today, 20 February 2025.
Mangaung Investment Summit : The panel discussion was led by HOD Nokuthula Chakane. Its purpose was to position Mangaung as a destination of choice. Dr. Mkhize outlined three strategic approaches to support the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality:
Utilising Cultural Heritage – She pointed out how vital it is to showcase Mangaung's abundant cultural heritage, such as Basotho culture, its status as the ANC's birthplace, and the significance of the National Museum. Developing Business and Tourism Events – She highlighted the necessity to stage events that draw external attention, trigger investment, and promote the image of Mangaung.
Improving Infrastructure – Dr. Mkhize suggested opening a platform for the youth to present their new ideas on how to grow the economy. She also urged investors to host events that create business leads.
By prioritizing these key areas, Mangaung can be made into a leading business and cultural destination.
The following is stated in a post on the Mangaung Municipality Facebook page. "Currently, day two of the first-ever Mangaung Investment Summit is still underway. It features key discussions on transport planning and logistics, as well as the manufacturing of smart technology. While we explore these crucial themes, Mangaung is truly advancing, fostering growth, and promoting a sustainable future."
However, the locals of the metro are not as excited as the other tourists. In spite of the ambitions to make Mangaung a top business and cultural hub, locals would prefer to witness the basic services get better first, like clean water, trash collection, fixing sewage, safe pothole-free roads, and secure neighbourhoods. Some locals also question whether Mangaung can ever be a cultural hub.
Here are a few comments made by metro residents:
Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality Promoting Basotho culture alone is a weak strategy because it does not guarantee tourism or investment. Tourists are drawn to unique experiences rather than just history, and without well-developed attractions or commercialised cultural experiences, Mangaung will struggle to attract visitors. Cities like Cape Town and Durban thrive because they offer a combination of natural attractions, entertainment, and business-friendly environments. Additionally, many locals, especially younger generations, do not actively engage with traditional Basotho culture in their daily lives. If the local population does not find it exciting, it is unlikely to appeal to outsiders.
And this is going to resolve the "no service" to the residents of Bloemfontein HOW. Just another party.
No business wana invest in Free state.
Ha le qeta le iketsa eka ha le tsebe mabaka.
How am I going to distribute my products if you don't have roads 🤔
CBD kasi ho a tshwana.
Mangaung ha hona moo Uber e tla tsamaya di kasi kaofela Botshabelo Thaba nchu
Bloemfontein.
Le be lere batho ba tlo investa.
Capetown on informal settlement hona le tar road because they understand business.
Ke truck ya mang e tlamehileng ho tlo wela nou dipuleng Tse?
I doubt that a destination without access to water will attract any tourists... A town should, at the VERY LEAST, offer basic human rights (eg, access to water) to its residents before presenting itself as a 'tourist destination'.
We don't even have water in this Metro and you guys are hosting investment parties.
Looking forward to seeing who will invest in the thuggery in the Free State.
Which residents of Mangaung are talking about how many projects have stopped in MMM because of the very same municipality? So do you call [this] job creation or fooling people around while you're blasting your stomach? Can you tell why we don't know ... gore di projects di emisitswe keng tsa masepala ka hara moetse if you're serving people not your own stomach you're buzy serving social media ore le server batho if you were a true public figure should be not ignored and proud like yourself and serve people with integrity, respect, honour, etc. wena you're the last to talk about improving people's lives or creating job because hao itsi motho ke eng akere o none jwale
It is very clear from residents. First fix and maintain basic service delivery issues before embarking on "pie in the sky" projects.
[ 20 Feb 2025 ]
