New municipal manager aims to use his experience to get finances in shape

There is yet another municipal manager in Endumeni.
Seconded to Endumeni Municipality, Sthembiso Ntombela says he’s ready to get Endumeni’s finances in order. Originally from Nkandla but now residing in Newcastle, Ntombela matriculated at Greytown Secondary School and is married with three children. The reserved Ntombela explained that he is a firm believer in God and currently serves as an evangelist at his local church. He also enjoys travelling with his family.
He started his local government career in 2004 as a creditor’s clerk at Nquthu Municipality.
Ntombela later worked as the deputy chief financial officer at Madlangeni Municipality and at Mpofana Municipality as an accountant.
A stint as a deputy director at the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Finance’s Provincial Treasury followed from 2012 to 2016.
With his expertise in finances, Ntombela opined that Endumeni has been struggling financially since 2018.
“It’s no secret that the municipality is facing financial difficulties, but with my experience and the assistance of the Endumeni management team, we can salvage our financial issues,” he told the Courier.
He added that although he has never served as a municipal manager, he has previously acted in the position at Nkandla Municipality. “My main aim is to get service delivery to our residents and ensure that we get our finances right, because debt and fruitless expenditure cripples service delivery immensely,” explained Ntombela.
He continued by saying that he will be looking at Municipal Infrastructure Grant projects – in particular the electrification of RDP houses around town. “I will be appointing a new service provider within the next 14 days for the electrification projects. I will also be dealing with unfinished road projects, as well as the water crisis that Endumeni is currently facing,” said Ntombela.
He further added that he will be hands-on in Endumeni Municipality’s debit and credit control in order to recover municipal funds. Ntombela also commented on instilling discipline back into staff members, especially those ‘who loiter around during working hours’.
Asked about what strategies he uses to anticipate problems, Ntombela said that he first consults with relevant stakeholders and once in agreement, he implements the action that is needed.