GNU is working in Umzumbe, for now

Umzumbe local municipality is currently satisfied with the Government of National Unity (GNU) arrangement for the time being. It’s one of four local municipalities in the Ugu district which has this form of governance. This sentiment was heard during the Mayoral Imbizo, which was attended by residents of Ward 1 and 2 and held at Shibase Sportsfield, KwaGoba, near St Faiths last Friday.

Mayor Bongani Nyuswa said that, through their votes, the people had decided no party would rule alone in Umzumbe municipality. He said he felt this was a workable form of government. It is currently dominated by the ANC and IFP, with both parties having 17 seats each in the council. These numbers left no party with an outright majority to rule.

“We went to cast votes in 2021 and again in the by-elections in May this year. You spoke through votes as the people of Umzumbe that, as different political parties, it’s important to work collectively. We have been doing this and see ourselves as a ‘test’ as we are the first municipality to have this form of government here.” He said the GNU would be judged based on its performance and that others would seek their advice should they find themselves in a similar position.

When it came to issues around service delivery, the mayor said he was fully aware that people would talk about the shortage of houses, road conditions and other needs.

“We are here to report on what we have done, what we are doing and what we will do in the future.” He said that, according to the Municipal Systems Act, they are bound to work with the amaKhosi because the land and areas they are developing belong to them. “As we know, the majority of the land in KwaZulu-Natal belongs to the Ingonyama Trust, and there are no paid rates,” he said. “We are working on changing the situation to get to a point where we can collect revenue for the services we are providing.”

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