Amajuba District Municipality ‘strives to change the lives of all for the better’

The Amajuba District Municipality has made strides in changing the lives of people in the district for the better.

So said Amajuba District Deputy Mayor, Cllr. T.E. Mthembu while leading a series of community roadshows to showcase the Integrated Development Programmes (IDP) and Budget Review Roadshows for the 2024–2025 financial year.

The series of these events started with engagement sessions targeting civil society, followed by another engagement with the traditional leaders, Amakhosi and Izinduna.

These community events that saw a large number of residents from various corners of the district in attendance were held at Emadlangeni on April 16 with the last roadshow meeting at the KwaMdakane Community Hall on April 18.

Delivering his presentation at these sessions, the Deputy Mayor highlighted difficulties that have impacted the municipality’s financial situation.

These include the municipality’s inability to collect sufficient revenue due to the poverty levels and unemployment rate affecting the majority of the communities served by the Amajuba District Municipality.

“We continue to commit to fostering an environment that enhances social cohesion, economic growth, and service delivery excellence within our municipality.

“We recognise the importance of collaboration between government, the private sector, and civil society to address the pressing issues confronting our district and nation,” Deputy Mayor Mthembu told those at the meetings.

“Some of our interventions (to uplift those in our district) include youth development programs, agriculture programmes, environmental management programs, and employment opportunity creation, mainly through the EPWP and internship programs.

“We are also proud that under this current administration, we have been able to complete the Amajuba District Municipality’s Disaster Centre, which will assist us in dealing with the prevalent disasters that are experienced all over the country and globally”, added Deputy Mayor Cllr Mthembu.

The draft IDP consists mainly of water and sanitation projects, which are in line with the legislative mandate given to the Amajuba District Municipality.

The following are some of the capital and WSIG projects to be implemented over the next financial year:

• Operation and Maintenance: All Wards Emadlangeni & Dannhauser, R9 927 500,01
• PMU Topslice, All Wards Emadlangeni & Dannhauser, R2 337 200,00
• Emergency Water Supply to Ramaphosa, Hilltop, and Skombaren—Dannhauser Wards 1, 2, 3, and 7—R45 000 000,00
• Reduction of Non-Revenue Water Via Reduction of Real Losses: Dannhauser All Wards and Emadlangeni Ward 2: R10 000 000,00
• COVID-19 Intervention MIG/WSIG Reprioritisation: Dannhauser All Wards: R5 000 000,00
• Sewer AC Pipeline Replacement in Dannhauser & Durnacol, Dannhauser Ward 2, R13 000 000,00
• Emadlangeni Sanitation Infills Wards 1 3, 4, 5, and 6 Rural Areas of Emadlangeni LM—Emadlangeni Wards 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6—R16 631 547,34
• Removal and Replacement of Asbestos Cement Water Pipelines in Emadlangeni, Emadlangeni Ward 2
• Zaaihoek Bulk Water Infrastructure,Emadlangeni Ward 4
• Augmentation of Existing Septic Tanks and Construction of Sewer Pipelines, Emadlangeni Ward 2
• Refurbishment of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant, Utrecht WTW, Emadlangeni Ward 2, R2 000 000,00

Refurbishment of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant, Utrecht WTW Phase 2, Emadlangeni Ward 2, R10 000 000,00 Budget highlights:

• The draft budget for 2024–2025 has a surplus of R 25 211 701, which will still need to be assessed by the provincial Treasury.
• Total operating income of R 331 047 037.
• Total Operating Expenditure of R 305,835,336.
• Total Capital Transfer of R 129 345 261.

The municipality, in response to the requests made by small businesses and adhering to its commitment to enhancing the local economy, further distributed garden equipment during these sessions, supporting four beneficiary projects.

On top of this, the municipality distributed 15 vouchers at the value of R3500.00 (for each beneficiary), supporting informal traders from Emadlangeni, Newcastle, and Dannhauser.

The Local Economic Development (LED), having previously announced a competition targeting youth in business, called for entries from interested businesses led by young people.

The winners were announced with a 1st prize of R50 000,00, the 2nd prize of R30 000,00, and the 3rd prize of R20 000,00.

Municipal Manager, Mr. P.M. Manqele, told the media at KwaMdakane, that he commended the local communities for their participation in these roadshows and assured them that their views would be considered in the finalization of the IDP and Budget for 2024–2025.

He further challenged the residents to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the municipality for the betterment of their lives.

What is the IDP?

Integrated Development Programmes (IDP) is a process by which the planning efforts of all sectors within the municipality are coordinated at a local level for the betterment of the lives of the local people.

Core components of the Integrated Development Plan are the vision for long-term development of the municipality, with special emphasis on the municipality’s most critical development and internal transformation needs.

In keeping with Chapter 5(5) of the Municipal Systems Act (No. 32 of 2000), the Municipal Council is required to “adopt a single, inclusive, and strategic plan for the development of the municipality” and the area in general.

This piece of legislation goes further to provide a framework that provides a guide on what should form part of the IDP and the process involved thereto.

The IDP has its origins in the Municipal Systems Act, Act No. 32 of 2000, with its core components specified in Section 26 of the Act.

For more information, contact Sbonelo Cebekhulu at 034 329 7200 during office hours. during office hours.

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