The annual Nkangala State of the District Address took place at the Sydney Choma Banquet Hall on Tuesday.

Executive Mayor, Councilor Thomas Ngwenya delivered his speech to various dignitaries from different municipalities who were in attendance, along with members of the public.

The total approved budget of the municipality for the financial year 2025/2026 amounts to R765 772 677 for revenue, R780 396 930 for operational expenditure, and the internal capital budget is R40 657 500.

R612 606 666 of the total operational budget was allocated to local municipalities.

The Steve Tshwete Local Municipality received R2 137 739 allocated for roads and stormwater projects in the current financial cycle, and a spillover of R800 000 allocated for land surveying in the 2026/2027 financial year.

Steve Tshwete municipality received a qualified audit for the 2022/23 and 2023/24 financial years, as per the address.

The Nkangala District Municipality received yet another consecutive unqualified audit outcome. In the past financial year, the district under corporate services, initiated a 500 LGSETA Learnership in plumbing, roadworks, building, and civil construction wholly funded by LGSETA at a budget of R26 million.

For the current financial year there is no budget allocated for Corporate Services, therefore there will be no programmes.

The Municipal Council has approved a budget of R51 336 465 for the 2025/2026 financial year for implementing Learnership programmes under the EPWP, designed to create work opportunities, reduce unemployment, and advance skills development with a focus on youth, women, and persons with disabilities.
The Nkangala District Municipality has allocated R800 000 for the 2025/2026 financial year for land surveying of the Kwazamokuhle/ Hendrina Industrial Township, preparing economic hubs to stimulate industrial investment.

A further R5 million has been set aside to support over 16 Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) across the various local municipalities, with the resources they need to thrive.

The construction of the much-awaited Nkangala District Disaster Management Centre in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality has begun, with construction progress currently at 53%, and the completion date anticipated for March 05, 2026. The overall budget for the project is R63 927 290.29, while the budget for the 2025/26 financial year is R12.97 million.

This construction seeks to change the way the municipality responds to both natural and man-made disasters within the community.

“The story of Nkangala District Municipality is one of deliberate action and measurable impact, a story written through the hands of entrepreneurs/SMMEs who now trade on international platforms, communities whose livelihoods have been uplifted through catalytic projects, and young leaders whose futures have been unlocked through our sustained investment in education.”

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