MIDDELBURG – In a continued effort to strengthen participatory governance and improve service delivery, Nkangala District Municipality Mayor Thomas Ngwenya led an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) Mayoral Outreach at the Adelaide Tambo Community Hall in the Steve Tshwete Municipality.
The session, held on May 16, 2025, was also attended by Steve Tshwete Municipality Mayor Mhlonishwa Masilela, alongside senior officials and members of both municipalities’ Mayoral Committees.
During the outreach, Ngwenya presented the draft budget for the 2025/2026 financial year, highlighting specific allocations for the Steve Tshwete Municipality. He outlined various development projects set to be implemented, with notable mentions including the Jet Patcher material for road maintenance, allocated R1.5 million, and a Water Quality Monitoring initiative, allocated R2 million. The engagement provided a platform for community members to raise concerns about local development and municipal service delivery.
Among the key issues raised were the rising cost of electricity, inadequate maintenance of stormwater drainage systems, illegal dumping in residential areas, and the growing challenge of youth unemployment.
Timmy Hlatswayo, a resident of Ward 27, expressed frustration over age-restricted government programmes. “It seems like the District only cares about people aged 18 to 35. What about those of us who are older? We’re being excluded from programmes like bursaries and employment initiatives. Where are we expected to work?” he asked.
Philip Mokoena, from Ward 7, raised concerns about inaccuracies in water billing. “The way municipal officials calculate our water meters is completely flawed. Sometimes, even if you don’t have a water meter, you still end up in debt because they use incorrect meter readings. It feels like the municipality doesn’t care about us — they just want our money,” he said.
Thulani Nzima, from Ward 28, spoke on behalf of communities in areas including Extension 5, Malope Village, Tokologo, Uitkyk, Extension 4, Extension 7, and Golfis. He highlighted the long-term negative effects of nearby mining activities.
“For over 20 years, we’ve lived with the consequences of mining — blasting, earth vibrations, air pollution, and contaminated water. We’re asking the municipality to work with the mines to conduct door-to-door inspections so they can see the damage caused to our homes and health. These mines must be held accountable,” Nzima urged.
The IDP outreach marks a significant step towards fostering transparent governance and responsive leadership. Councillor Ngwenya reassured the community that all concerns raised would be thoroughly reviewed and addressed in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. The community’s active participation reflects the continued importance of inclusive development planning and oversight in improving the quality of life for residents of the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.
