Polokwane seeks Smart City status, intros Citizen App
Polokwane Municipality in South Africa has joined a growing list of African cities aspiring to become Smart Cities.
Makoro John Mpe, executive mayor of Polokwane Municipality, introduced the MyPolokwane Citizen App, saying just as innovation drives global progress; it moves Polokwane towards being a smart, efficient, and citizen-centric city.
He went on to say: “This innovation embodies our steadfast dedication to transforming Polokwane into a Smart City by 2030. MyPolokwane Citizen App is not just an application; it is a tool of empowerment, a symbol of progress, and a bridge between the municipality and its people.”
The launch of MyPolokwane Citizen App comes as analysts are urging African urban centres to transition into Smart Cities, using digital technologies to address service delivery challenges, and optimise resources.
Mayor Mpe said: “For us to realise our vision of becoming a world-class African city, we must continue to be innovative and forward-thinking.
“We must evolve to meet the dynamic needs of our citizens by integrating technology into our service delivery mechanisms.
“Today (Wednesday), we take a bold step in that direction with the launch of MyPolokwane Citizen App, a revolutionary platform designed to enhance how we engage with our communities and streamline municipal services.”
He continued: “For years, our citizens have relied on multiple, often fragmented, channels to report service delivery issues - phone calls, emails, WhatsApp messages and physical visits to municipal offices.
“This system has proven inefficient, leading to delays, miscommunication and frustration among residents.
“As a responsive yet proactive municipality, we recognise that we must improve the way we interact with our people and deliver services effectively.”
The mayor explained that the first phase of the MyPolokwane Citizen App is significant for service delivery.
“For the first time, our citizens will have a single, unified platform that empowers them to take charge of their communities. No longer will residents have to struggle with inefficient bureaucratic processes; instead, they will report service delivery issues instantly, upload photos to enhance precision and witness the power of real-time responses,” he said.
Mpe added: “With this system, service delivery complaints are transmitted to our municipal call centre within an astonishing 60 milliseconds and issues are allocated to the nearest available technician within 15 seconds, a powerful reflection of our commitment to swift and efficient governance.
“This app also provides direct engagement with municipal departments, ensuring that every resident has a voice that will be heard.
“Whether it is requesting essential services like firefighting, ambulance response and waste collection, accessing critical municipal information or even making online payments for municipal services, this app puts the power back into the hands of the people. This is governance reimagined, redefined and revolutionised.”
Technology company, WIB Group which partnered with municipality in developing the App said the solution has enhanced Polokwane’s capacity to realise its vision and mandate of delivering services to citizens with ease.
Thandile Fikeni, WIB Group, CEO, commented: "We have managed to bridge the communication gap between the Municipality and its citizens.
“We are in a digital era that has seen data become ‘gold’ that helps organisations make informed decisions. The municipality’s decision-making processes will now be be fortified by data-driven insights.
"MyPolokwane Citizen App is not merely a digital tool; it is a transformative force that will redefine governance and service delivery across multiple critical sectors of the municipality.”