Life in Endumeni delivered no shortage of memorable moments in 2025 – some uplifting, many deeply frustrating.

When tallying the year’s highs and lows, it is sadly the misses that outweigh the hits. Let’s start with the low points, before closing on what gave residents reason to keep believing.

Roads crumble as residents step in

The deteriorating road network once again tested motorists’ patience. Potholes worsened across the area, particularly in Mpati, forcing some residents to act where authorities did not.

Local resident Hennie Roos took matters into his own hands, purchasing materials to repair potholes himself. Through the Courier, Roos appealed for donations of cement and building materials to continue his efforts. Similar scenes played out in Glencoe, where residents filled potholes along Karel Landman Street and other roads.

Municipal promises to fix roads were derailed by a controversial tender to procure premix. An investigation by the Courier revealed the winning bid was double the lowest offer, awarded to a company registered just two months earlier with no track record. The tender was eventually withdrawn and re-advertised.

Water crisis dominates the year

If there was one issue that defined 2025, it was the water crisis.

In February, prolonged outages sparked a historic march involving residents from across communities. Protesters converged on the Prince Magogo Building, handing a memorandum to Umzinyathi District Municipality officials.

Despite assurances and follow-up meetings, frustrations continued to boil over – particularly in Glencoe, Wasbank and upper Dundee. A much-anticipated water summit in October, hosted by National Cogta Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, promised decisive action.

Ironically, since then, the Endumeni Residents Association (ERA) has been inundated with complaints. Parts of Glencoe went more than five days without water, while Strathmore Park in Dundee was left dry for 10 days.

ERA chairperson Willie Steenberg said intervention by the district mayor brought temporary relief.
“Workers were out in force and pressure release valves were reset, which appears to have cured the problem for now,” he said.

Town’s appearance and governance under fire

The scruffy state of Dundee remained a sore point, with a vacant plot on Beaconsfield Street flagged as a crime hotspot by groups such as NDE 911 Pro Active.

The municipality itself was frequently in the headlines – largely for the wrong reasons. A Cogta-sanctioned report exposed widespread corruption and maladministration linked to a R3.5-million security tender. While disciplinary action was recommended against at least two officials, none had materialised by year-end.

Acting municipal manager Martin Sithole told a Chamber of Commerce meeting he hoped to see action “very soon”.

Crime and shocks

Residents were further shaken by a series of disturbing incidents.

The dumping of nappies along the Dundee–Hattingspruit road in September drew widespread outrage.
More seriously, crime continued to haunt the area. The shooting of four people, including a teenage girl, in Sibongile, highlighted the scale of violence facing police.

The escape of seven armed robbery suspects from a police van near Ladysmith following a Dundee court appearance exposed stretched police resources. The suspects remain at large.

Just days before Christmas, the shooting to death of businessman Billy Francis at his Gladstone Street premises sent shockwaves through the community.

Farmers, meanwhile, continued fighting a different battle as foot-and-mouth disease devastated operations, halted livestock sales and restricted animal movement.

Reasons to hope

Despite the challenges, there were bright spots.

The announcement of the R350-million private Umzinyathi Hospital in Glencoe stood out as the year’s biggest positive development, offering hope of economic revival and improved healthcare.

Local sports stars brought pride to the region, notably Lindelani Sibisi, who claimed the SA featherweight boxing title after defeating the defending champion in East London.

Schools continued to excel in academics and sport, while the revival of the Endumeni Chamber of Business saw renewed collaboration among local entrepreneurs.

Glencoe’s rising star, 17-year-old Jiya Sivnarain, made Endumeni proud after she was placed in the top five finalists at the Miss Teen India Worldwide pageant.

This milestone follows her earlier victory as Miss Teen India South Africa, earning her the honour of representing the nation on the international stage.

The rollout of smart electricity meters was not without teething problems, but residents hope the system will help curb rampant electricity theft.

As Endumeni turns the page on a bruising year, the community enters 2026 weary – but still determined to push for better days ahead.