The Emalahleni Municipality successfully hosted a Presidential Imbizo at the Sy Mthimunye Stadium on March 07. President Cyril Ramaphosa led the District Development Model (DDM) Imbizo under the theme ‘Leave No One Behind,’ accompanied by all his cabinet ministers and deputies to address service delivery issues raised by the Mpumalanga community. The 12th Imbizo aimed to promote participatory democracy and inclusive development by allowing community members and stakeholders to voice proposals and express any concerns. Leading to the Imbizo were build-up activities led by Ministers, Deputy Ministers, MECs, and Mayors. According to President Ramaphosa, this has been the biggest imbizo ever held with over 10,000 people in attendance. Delivering his welcome address, Nkangala District Mayor Thomas Ngwenya called on the president to assist in opening licensed non-operational mines, which he believes will create numerous employment opportunities to drastically reduce unemployment currently at over 35%. In his support message, Kgosi Lameck Mokoena, President of The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA), condemned the government for denying tertiary education to students excluded from the NSFAS scheme. He voiced how, as traditional leaders representing the people, they have had enough of load shedding and made a plea for the president to address the problem. Closing his address, Kgosi Mokoena called on the president to deal with the killing of Kings and Chiefs, stating, “We are getting eliminated. As I speak, 48 Kings and Chiefs have been killed over the past two years, and the most painful part is that not a single person has been sentenced for the crime.”
Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane also took to the podium and highlighted key catalytic projects in Mpumalanga. These include the Loskop Regional Bulk Water Scheme, aimed at augmenting water supply by 20 mega litres per day, and the construction of the Middleburg District Hospital to improve healthcare access. Additionally, the Siyathuthuka Brick Plant Project and Rust de Winter Bulk Water Supply Scheme were noted for their economic and water supply benefits. The Premier also mentioned the long-awaited Linah Malatjie Tertiary Hospital set to be built in Emalahleni, and the refurbishment of the Witbank Hospital. Mtshweni-Tsipane also spoke of the planned construction of the bridge intersection connecting Verena and Klarinet, emphasizing upcoming infrastructure projects like the Verena-Klarinet bridge intersection. The construction of a specialized school for the deaf was announced, signaling a commitment to inclusive education. The public voiced frustrations on service delivery, with a majority raising the water scarcity challenge in most parts of the Nkangala District. Premier Mtshweni-Tsipane acknowledged the water challenge, stating, “Water services in general have proved to be a challenge across the district, and we are responding through DDM water projects.” Senzo Mchunu, Minister of Water and Sanitation, stated that over 40% of the water provided gets lost and called for immediate action. The minister also shared that his department is also working on various projects to ease the shortage of water. “There is a water treatment plant project, which will be completed in 2025, with more than 54 000 households expected to benefit from this project. Currently 87% of households have access to clean water and the issue of ageing infrastructure was receiving the necessary attention.”
Other ministers addressed challenges faced by the people and shared government efforts, like the introduction of a debt relief program to assist municipalities owing Eskom. In housing, Phase 2 of the Siyanqoba RDP houses is underway, aiming to build 5,000 houses in Emalahleni. Additionally, the President distributed 14 title deeds to farm workers and labor tenants in and around Nkangala District municipality. The president closed the Imbizo by calling every citizen to exercise their democratic right and vote in the upcoming general national and provincial elections on May 29.
