SASOLBURG – It was all systems go as the Metsimaholo Local Municipality hosted a hard-hitting three-day strategic lekgotla to tackle service delivery headaches head-on.

Held at the municipal head offices in Sasolburg, the gathering brought together key players, including members of the mayoral committee, councillors, and senior officials, all determined to breathe new life into the municipality’s vision.

Executive mayor Jack Malindi came out guns blazing during his keynote address, laying bare the harsh realities faced by the municipality while calling for a united front to rebuild trust and deliver real results.

“We gather here not just as administrators and public servants, but as custodians of a constitutional mandate to improve the lives of our communities. We’ve made strides in infrastructure and local economic development, but let’s be honest – we haven’t always met the expectations of our citizens,” said Malindi.

The mayor didn’t hold back, admitting that audit outcomes have exposed serious cracks in financial management and internal controls. He further warned that low revenue collection remains a ticking time bomb that threatens Metsimaholo’s financial future.

“Without sustainable revenue, we cannot plan confidently or deliver the services our people deserve,” he said.

In his closing remarks, Malindi urged officials to make a difference in residents’ lives.

“This municipality belongs to the people, and our work must reflect their hopes and needs. We do not have the luxury of time. Every delay has a human cost, and every poor decision has a ripple effect on the ground. Let us leave this session not with just another plan, but with shared ownership, renewed purpose, and a clear path forward. Let us be the leadership that brings change not in speeches but in wards, streets, clinics, hospitals, schools, and homes,” he alluded.