The City at Work Programme: A Pillar of Visionary Leadership and Service Excellence in Rustenburg 

In the heart of South Africa's Platinum Province i.e. the North West Province, the Platinum City, Rustenburg Local Municipality stands out as a model of proactive governance, driven by initiatives that bridge the gap between policy and tangible community impact. At the forefront of these efforts is the "City at Work Programme", a dynamic service delivery initiative that embodies the municipality's commitment to transforming Rustenburg into a safer, more compliant, and prosperous city for all its residents. Launched as part of broader municipal strategies, this programme focuses on high-impact operations, including by-law enforcement, consumer safety promotions, and collaborative campaigns to enhance urban safety and service efficiency. As of August 2025, the programme has extended its operations across various wards, demonstrating real teams, real work, and real results in areas such as illegal advertising compliance, undocumented worker regulations, and community safety enhancements. Through partnerships like the Safer City Campaign, it addresses service delivery challenges head-on, ensuring that Rustenburg's infrastructure and public spaces are maintained to the highest standards.

Central to the success of the City at Work Programme is the exemplary leadership and determined vision of the Municipal Manager (MM), Adv. Ashmar Khuduge. As the administrative head of the Rustenburg Local Municipality, Adv. Khuduge has steered this initiative with a forward-thinking approach that integrates strategic planning, community engagement, and sustainable development. His vision transcends mere operational efficiency; it envisions a Rustenburg where every citizen, regardless of socio-economic status, experiences equitable access to municipal services. Under his guidance, the programme has evolved into a comprehensive framework that not only enforces compliance but also fosters a culture of accountability and excellence across all municipal departments. Adv. Ashmar Khuduge's leadership has thusfar been characterized by a hands-on style, as evidenced by his oversight of technical teams and collaborative efforts that align with broader municipal goals, such as those outlined in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP).

As the paramount service delivery leader, Adv. Khuduge plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the City at Work Programme directly addresses the needs of Rustenburg's diverse population. His strategic direction emphasises proactive interventions, such as extending operations to underserved areas and promoting consumer safety through targeted inspections and awareness campaigns. This leadership extends beyond mere empty rhetoric, manifesting in tangible outcomes like improved urban cleanliness, safer public spaces, and enhanced regulatory compliance that benefits local businesses and residents alike. By prioritizing service delivery, Adv. Khuduge ensures that municipal resources are deployed efficiently, turning visionary policies into on-the-ground realities that uplift communities by impacting on them directly.

Equally critical is Adv. Khuduge's role as a performance management leader, where he instills a sense of purpose and accountability among municipal workers. Through the Office of the Municipal Manager, which oversees Performance Management Systems (PMS), he ensures that employees are aligned with the municipality's vision. This involves setting clear performance indicators also called KPI's, providing ongoing training, and fostering a work environment that motivates staff to execute service delivery programmes with diligence and integrity. Under his stewardship, workers are empowered to carry out the City at Work initiatives, knowing that their efforts contribute to a larger goal of municipal excellence. This performance-driven approach has been instrumental in sustaining the programme's momentum, as seen in recent operations that highlight "real teams" delivering "real results."

Monitoring and evaluation form the backbone of Adv. Khuduge's leadership strategy, ensuring that the City at Work Programme remains responsive and effective but also accountable to the residents. The MM's office is responsible for rigorous oversight, including internal audits and risk management, which allow for continuous assessment of programme outcomes. By incorporating community feedback and approval mechanisms, Adv. Khuduge guarantees that services are not only delivered but also meet the satisfaction of Rustenburg's residents. This evaluative framework enables timely adjustments, such as expanding operations based on emerging needs, and reinforces transparency in municipal governance. Such meticulous monitoring has positioned the programme as a success story in advancing compliance and service excellence, with visible impacts on daily life in the city.

At the core of Adv. Khuduge's objective is the delivery of top-quality services to the poor, recognizing that dignity is often elusive in the face of poverty. The City at Work Programme, under his visionary guidance, prioritizes interventions that restore and enhance human dignity—whether through safer neighborhoods, compliant business environments that create jobs, or equitable access to municipal amenities. By focusing on underserved wards and vulnerable populations, the MM ensures that services are not just functional but transformative, empowering the poor to live with pride and security. This commitment aligns with broader sustainable development goals, as highlighted in the municipality's Voluntary Local Review, where service delivery is linked to eradicating poverty and promoting inclusive growth.

In looking ahead, the City at Work Programme exemplifies the profound impact of strong leadership and a clear vision in municipal governance. Adv. Ashmar Khuduge's dedication as both a service delivery and performance management leader, coupled with his emphasis on monitoring, evaluation, and dignity-enhancing services, has elevated Rustenburg's standards of public administration. His efforts not only ensure satisfactory outcomes for the people but also inspire confidence in local government. As Rustenburg continues to thrive, the MM's legacy of visionary leadership will undoubtedly serve as a blueprint for other municipalities across South Africa. Contained within this blueprint is improved service delivery in infrastructure, waste management, and sanitation, alongside potential job creation and community development, fostering economic growth, social cohesion, education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. CoGTA has also been impressed as this is the first time IMQS software has been used to monitor service delivery objectives in real time and manage many aspects of the City at Work Programme. Already it has been found that more comprehensive software tools are needed to not only monitor but implement programmes of this nature. Every city can't have Adv Ashmar Khuduge to give leadership and guidance but CoGTA can give them the same software tools. Adv Khuduge has demonstrated that in order to make informed decisions to impract people on the ground no amount of data is too much, he proves that you don't have to micromanage people but you need to micromanage the programme,  in fact you have to nano-manage it in  order to gather as much data as possible as data is at the heart of objective and informed decision making and monitoring.

Siyabonga Mthimkhulu

Social and Civil rights activist.