PREMIER NDLOVU TOUCHES THE LIVES OF RESIDENTS IN DR JS MOROKA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY DURING EXCO OUTREACH PROGRAMME.
The Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality is situated in the North-Western part of Nkangala District. It is predominantly rural, comprising of 36 villages. With a notable population growth from 249 705 in 2011 to 324 855 in 2022, the municipality is ranked the sixth largest in Mpumalanga. The youth accounts for the 61.2 percent of the population. Low economic growth and limited diversification in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and small enterprises continue to constrain development. 
These socio-economic challenges were discussed extensively during the three-day Executive Council Outreach programme, led by the Premier, Mr Mandla Ndlovu. He was accompanied by MECs and Executive Mayors, who conducted direct engagements with residents, while sharing with them information that drive change.
During the engagements, Premier Ndlovu reiterated the commitment of the Provincial Government to serve the residents of Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality through the delivery of services. This brought renewed hope to the residents.
During an engagement with residents at the Nokaneng Sports Ground, Premier Ndlovu and MECs outlined key interventions aimed at improving service delivery. These include ongoing water infrastructure projects, from the Water Treatment Works to the Kuilen Reservoir, aimed at enhancing water supply to affected communities. A commitment to implement more than ten projects, valued over R162 million in the 2026/27 financial year by various departments, was also made.
The Premier also acknowledged the high unemployment rate in the municipality and outlined initiatives to address it. “A major hybrid rice project and agro-processing initiatives, established through a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Mpumalanga, are expected to create up to 388 000 job opportunities across the province. The anticipated Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market is also set to support approximately 150 000 small-scale farmers,” the Premier emphasised.
Further economic interventions include the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA), which facilitated 135 job opportunities through the funding of SMMEs during the 2024/25 financial year. Through the Premier’s Youth Development Fund (PYDF), R10 million has been invested in five youth-owned enterprises.
For service delivery and infrastructure development, the government committed to electrify 438 households, build two new clinics to improve healthcare access, and road infrastructure upgrades at Katjibane, Nokaneng, and Senotlelo.
The outreach programme also delivered immediate benefits to residents, with the Premier handing over wheelchairs, sports equipment, school shoes to learners, and title deeds to beneficiaries.
Residents expressed appreciation for the government’s hands-on approach. “I would like to thank the Premier and his cabinet. As a young woman in grain farming, I stand proud today to have benefitted from the agriculture programme through land support. I am now able to farm commercially in efforts to end poverty and create employment. I urge all young people to seize the opportunities offered by our caring Provincial government,” asserted Mmina Libeya Marapyane.
See more pictures...https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1amHDnHZdT/