TAKING BACK OUR STREETS, RESTORING HOPE – Polokwane’s Mayor Makoro Mpe Lights Up the City

Polokwane Mayor John Mpe leading from the front during the Safer City Campaign on Thursday night.

By Mpho Dube, Editor‑in‑Chief, The Azanian

The heartbeat of Polokwane beats stronger when its streets are safe, clean and filled with opportunity, not fear.

In a bold show of unity, Executive Mayor Cllr Makoro John Mpe launched the Safer City Campaign this week, rallying law‑enforcement agencies, community organisations, local businesses and the ANC’s Peter Mokaba Region structure to reclaim public spaces from drugs, illegal weapons and disorder.

Speaking at the campaign’s kick‑off, Mayor Mpe emphasized a dual mission: “Safety is not just about order—it’s about dignity, compassion and restoring hope where it was fading.” He walked the streets himself during the night, patrolling hotspots and meeting residents, vowing to remove people from the streets and give them a chance at a better life.

During the outreach, officials encountered dozens of job seekers who had been sleeping rough, clinging to the promise of a better future. The municipality responded swiftly. Temporary shelter was set up at the municipal transit hub, psychosocial support teams were on‑site to counsel and guide residents, and every individual was registered on the municipal unemployment database for immediate job‑matching.

“Seeing the city work hand‑in‑hand with us, giving us a place to rest and a path to employment, that’s real hope,” said Thabo Molefe, a 28‑year‑old who was among those assisted.

The campaign has already recorded a 30 % drop in reported petty crimes in the first two weeks and a noticeable increase in community participation, with over 150 volunteers joining neighborhood watch groups.

“Mayor Mpe didn’t just talk, he walked the streets with us. His presence at midnight showed true leadership,” said Cllr Nthabiseng Mashaba, chairperson of the Polokwane Community Safety Forum.

“The ANC Peter Mokaba Region is proud to stand behind Mayor Mpe. He’s delivering on his promise to restore dignity,” remarked Reginald Mokgadi, ANC Peter Mokaba Region Secretary.

“Our businesses are already feeling safer. The visible police presence and the clean‑up have boosted confidence,” noted Sibongile Radebe, owner of a local spaza shop in the CBD.

Beyond the immediate clean‑up, the Safer City Campaign is part of a broader “Restoring Hope” agenda. The municipality is partnering with local SMMEs to launch youth employment drives, collaborating with provincial health services for drug‑rehabilitation outreach, and upgrading infrastructure with new CCTV cameras and sidewalks in high‑traffic zones.

“We’re not just cleaning streets; we’re cleaning up the narrative around Polokwane,” Mpe declared. “When the streets are safe, the city’s heartbeat is stronger, and every resident feels the pulse of opportunity.”

The campaign’s early successes have sparked optimism that Polokwane is on a steady path toward safer, more inclusive communities—one street, one person, one hope at a time.

Polokwane Executive Mayor Cllr Makoro John Mpe with Chief Whip Cllr Adolph Rapetswa cleaning the streets of the city without trepidation  during the Safer City Campaign on Thursday night.