Middelburg – About two weeks ago, Nkangala District Mayor Thomas Ngwenya unveiled a new partnership with Nedbank, saying residents stand to gain significantly from the partnership.
This business partnership, unveiled at an Informative Breakfast Connection event on 10 September 2025, will last for a period of five years. Ngwenya said the partnership will help the municipality to enhance its financial management, allowing it to concentrate on its primary mission to deliver services to the community.
“We must explore ways to support small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in each of the six municipalities,” Ngwenya said. “We’ll provide them (SMMEs) with programmes but you need to offer funding to help them launch their businesses.”
Ngwenya said many banks have strict policies, making it difficult for people to secure funding. He challenged Nedbank to ease those restrictions, highlighting significant capital infrastructure initiatives like the Bulk Water Supply and Storage project in Emalahleni and the Rust De Venter Bulk Water Supply Scheme in Dr JS Moroka.
SMMEs will require major funding, with budgets of R3.4 billion and R1.6 billion, respectively. “These are vital projects that need to be pursued without delay,” he said.
To ensure that SMMEs receive support, the District’s spokesperson, Phaswana Madihlaba, told the paper that the municipality is seeking to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Nedbank.
Nomvula Molefe, Nedbank’s Public Sector Provincial Manager, said: “The relationship with Nkangala District Municipality is not just a connection, it is a strategic partnership based on a commitment to supporting local municipalities in delivering efficient and sustainable services to the wider community at large.”
She added that Nedbank will work with the municipality to create an enabling environment for emerging SMMEs and unlock opportunities to drive growth of the regional economy to make a meaningful contribution to improving social and economic conditions.
“Nedbank will collaborate with the municipality to identify and support CSI projects and programmes within the length and breadth of the municipality’s area of jurisdiction,” she said.
Two non-profit organisations, Isolethu (Middelburg) and Crime and Gun Free (Dr JS Moroka), each received R15,000 for their valuable contributions to the community.
“Those with registered NPOs operating within the district whose line of business is aligned and focused on community-based programmes… stand to be supported by Nedbank subject to them meeting the prescribed criterion set by Nedbank,” said Madihlaba.
