The Premier of Mpumalanga, Mr. Mandla Ndlovu is leading a delegation of Members of the Executive Council in a three-day outreach program to the Dr. Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Local Municipality. The visit seeks to entrench public participation and to formulate intervention measures in areas where service delivery challenges are identified.
During the first day of the program, Premier Ndlovu addressed a sitting of the Executive Council, in which he conveyed condolences to the bereaved family of the late South African High Commissioner in Kenya, Mr. Mninwa Mahlangu. Mahlangu served as a Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in 2005 and later as High Commissioner to the United States in 2015. At the time of his death, he was High Commissioner to Kenya.
The Premier says Mahlangu distinguished himself as a patriotic citizen of Mpumalanga who excelled in the diplomatic missions he was assigned to, by the country. He says Mpumalanga and the country has lost an eminent citizen.
Mr. Ndlovu further welcomed the announcement of the Mbombela Stadium by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) as the venue for the MTN finals between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch Football Club. The game will be played on the 13th of September 2025 at 18:00.
Mr. Ndlovu says Mpumalanga has a history of hosting major events successfully, and will once again prove this when hosting the MTN finals. He commended the PSL for the decision.
MUNICIPALITY’S STATE OF SERVICE DELIVERY
The municipality is faced by a high unemployment rate which contribute to a low revenue collection rate being at 40 percent. With a population of 115 000 by 2011, the municipality has pressure on water delivery, with high increased demands for water. Although an allocation of R2 million is set aside for water and sanitation during the 2025/26 financial year, by the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), however, there is a high need to upgrade the water bulk infrastructure services.
EXCO resolved that the province must review the water service development plan with the aim of assessing on how can the municipality be assisted in this regard.
In addition, EXCO resolved that aggressive measures must be implemented to address service delivery challenges.
During the first day of the outreach program, MECs conducted unannounced visits to various government service delivery points, to determine the experience of communities. On Thursday, the focus will be on project visits to determine challenges and formulate intervention measures. On Friday, a public participation engagement, imbizo, led by the Premier, will take place at the Vukuzakhe Sportsfield.
ENDS...
Issued by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government
Office of the Premier
Contact Person: MEC Thulasizwe Thomo (Spokesperson - EXCO)
Enquiries: Mr George Mthethwa (Spokesperson - Provincial Government)
Contact: 013 766 2242/ 083 302 2774.