MPUMALANGA – Premier Mandla Ndlovu chaired a high-level Executive Council (EXCO) meeting on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, focused on accelerating audit reforms and finalising Mpumalanga’s preparations as a host province for the upcoming G20 events under South Africa’s presidency.
The premier emphasised the importance of clean audits as a foundation of public trust, urging departments to close gaps identified in the 2023/24 audit cycle. The Departments of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Provincial Treasury, and public entities such as the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) and the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator (MER) were commended for achieving clean audits. Expert teams have been deployed by the Provincial Treasury to support other departments in resolving audit findings ahead of the May 2025 audit cycle.
As part of South Africa’s G20 presidency, Mpumalanga will host five ministerial meetings and 12 study groups focusing on tourism, education, and economic development. District-level outreach programmes aim to showcase opportunities in all three districts.
In Ehlanzeni District, the University of Mpumalanga will spearhead efforts in digital innovation and small business support. Gert Sibande District’s Mkhondo Community Hall will host inclusive tourism discussions, while Nkangala District will focus on sustainability and equality in partnership with the financial sector.
Premier Ndlovu described the G20 events as a chance to “showcase Mpumalanga’s natural beauty and cultural heritage to the world,” citing the potential for increased tourism and investment.
The meeting also finalised preparations for the national Freedom Day commemoration on April 27, 2025, themed “United Resilience for the Defence of our Freedom and Democracy.” The main event will take place at AJ Swanepoel Stadium in Msukaligwa Local Municipality.
In support of gender equality and leadership transformation, EXCO approved six senior appointments—five of which are women—raising gender representation at senior management level to 83%. These include strategic roles in the Departments of Health and Economic Development and Tourism.
The meeting reinforced the province’s focus on accountability, ethical leadership, and international engagement, positioning Mpumalanga as a hub of effective governance and global collaboration.
