Umdoni Local Municipality approves 2026/27 budget
A large portion of the budget has been dedicated to infrastructure.
The 2026/27 final budget for Umdoni Municipality has been adopted.
“While challenges persist, our work on the ground speaks for itself,” said mayor Mbali Cele-Luthuli. “We remain committed to delivering tangible improvements that uplift the daily lives of our residents.”
Service delivery achievements are as follows: refurbishment and official opening of Dumisa Community Hall and Skills Centre (Ward 5); completion of Mafithini Tar Road (Ward 9) and Nsongeni Tar Road (Ward 16); electrification of Mbetheni, pending commissioning of smart meters; ongoing projects include Amalangeni Bridge (Ward 11 – 90% complete) and Oswanini Community Hall (Ward 7 – 15% complete).
Budget highlights include operating revenue (R408.8m), operating expenditure (R459.3m) and capital budget (R84.1m).
In terms of tariff adjustments, there is a 5% increase across services; including a 33% increase for residential refuse collection.
A significant portion of the budget is dedicated to infrastructure, including:
• Road upgrades: Emaromeni (Ward 14), KwaXulu (Ward 18), Nkanini (Ward 19)
• Community facilities: Nkululeko Hall (Ward 6) and Oswanini Hall (Ward 7)
• Urban roads rehabilitation: R8m allocated to Beach Road, Palm Road, Lotus Drive, Venus Crescent and Williamson Street
• Rural roads rehabilitation: R18m for re-gravelling and construction of steep hills.• Street lighting and verge maintenance: R6.5m combined allocation.
• Fleet and waste management: R14.7m for yellow plant, R3.4m for skips, R11m for landfill site maintenance.
The budget also includes electrification of Qwembe (Ward 4) and Mahwaqa (Ward 3) at R900 000; and special programmes supporting youth bursaries, gender initiatives, disability, HIV/Aids, elderly care, indigent families and sports development with a combined allocation exceeding R8m.
SMME and cooperative support has been allocated R1m, agriculture tractor programme R100 000 and the One Home One Garden programme R300 000.
“The municipality is also prioritising significant investment in the rehabilitation of municipal assets to strengthen infrastructure and guarantee sustainable, impactful service delivery for all communities,” added the mayor.
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