POLOKWANE – Capricorn District Municipality (CDM) recently delivered its 2026 State of the District Address (SODA) at a glamorous event held at Jack Botes Hall.

The address is a key platform where the municipality reflects on service delivery progress, outlines developmental priorities and communicates plans aimed at rebuilding and advancing communities across the district under the theme, ‘Reflect, Rebuild, Rise Together’.

Mayor highlights achievements and future plans

Mayor Mamedupi Teffo highlighted achievements, ongoing infrastructure projects, governance matters, water and sanitation interventions, economic development initiatives and future plans geared towards improving the lives of residents within the district.

She emphasised that the address is not only about reflection on the work the municipality performed in the last five years, but also about accountability and reporting to its constituency.

“We take pride in reflecting on a five-year journey marked by resilience, progress, partnership and a shared commitment to improving the lives of our communities,” she said.

Key priorities over the past five years

Teffo said that the 2021–2026 council term has been characterised by focused implementation of programmes aligned to the municipality’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP), the Growth and Development Strategy, the principles of the District Development Model (DDM), and the National Development Plan (NDP).

She reported that significant investments were made towards:

• Bulk water supply infrastructure
• Regional water schemes
• Wastewater treatment works
• The rollout of smart water metering systems aimed at improving sustainability, reducing water losses and strengthening revenue management

Also read: DA boycotts Capricorn SODA over R457k cost concerns

Role of local municipalities

According to Teffo, each local municipality played a unique and important role in driving development within its respective area.

Polokwane Local Municipality continues to serve as the economic hub of both the district and the province, driving investment, logistics, urban development, and economic activity.

Blouberg Local Municipality continued focusing on tourism, agriculture and infrastructure development while strengthening governance systems and community development initiatives in Senwabarwana and surrounding villages.

Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality introduced the concept of a smart city and continued supporting youth empowerment and community development programmes.

Molemole Local Municipality continued strengthening agricultural development, rural service delivery, and public participation mechanisms while supporting local economic growth initiatives.