he State of the District Address, delivered by the executive mayor of the Ehlanzeni District Municipality (EDM), Terra Shabangu, took place on Wednesday, May 27. The address outlined progress made to date and budget allocations for the new financial year.

Shabangu said the EDM has undertaken extensive construction for the benefit of the municipality’s 2.27 million residents. He added that the district remains committed to improving infrastructure development, strengthening service delivery and enhancing quality of life.

A budget of R2.1m has been allocated for boreholes in the City of Mbombela (CoM) and Bushbuckridge Local Municipalities (BLM).

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R3.5m has been allocated for the installation of new high-mast lights in the CoM and BLM. R500 000 has been allocated for materials for the refurbishment of high-mast lights in the Nkomazi (NLM) and Thaba Chweu Local Municipalities.

Waste management was allocated R2.2m for ongoing skip-bins programmes and to acquire a new skip-loading truck. NLM projects relating to the refurbishment of Malalane’s Wastewater Treatment Works and the design of an outflow sewer line for Ext 21 were allocated R3m.

The Driekoppies Water Treatment Works and bulk water infrastructure project, scheduled for completion in June 2027, has been allocated R70.5m. The Lydenburg Wastewater Treatment Works project received R48.3m and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. A further R2m was allocated for the rehabilitation of tarred roads across the four local municipalities.

According to Shabangu, the EDM has continued to deliver impactful infrastructure programmes across the district, despite financial pressures, delays and technical challenges.

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“In water and sanitation, we made major strides through the drilling and equipping of boreholes in Bushbuckridge, Nkomazi, the CoM and surrounding communities,” Shabangu said.

“The district has constructed a total of 23 boreholes in the last four years. In the last two years, the district has moved away from normal power supply to solar powered boreholes. These projects brought much-needed relief to communities affected by water supply shortages.”

The 2026/27 budget allocation includes R6.1m for the office of the executive mayor, R26.1m for the office of the speaker, R3.4m for the office of the chief whip, and R11.8m for the mayoral committee. The office of the municipal manager has been allocated R26.2m for operating costs.

Corporate services has been allocated R59.9m, and community services R46.6m for operational costs and R2.2m for capital items.
Economic planning and development will receive R20.8m for operational costs, while technical services has been allocated R15.4m for operational costs and R13.5m for capital projects.