In a significant step toward enhancing service delivery, the Okhahlamba Local Municipality officially unveiled a new fleet of vehicles and machinery today. This strategic investment is aimed at improving operational efficiency across key municipal departments.

The newly acquired fleet consists of three tipper trucks, three TLBs, a drop-side truck, an aerial platform truck, a motor grader, a roller, two 4×4 bakkies, and two sedans. Additionally, the municipality is expecting the delivery of a 14-seater Toyota Quantum and a 6,000-litre water tanker later this month to further strengthen its service capacity.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, His Worship, Mayor V.R. Mlotshwa highlighted that the acquisition follows a comprehensive assessment last year, which identified the urgent need to upgrade and replace the aging fleet previously decommissioned and auctioned.

The Mayor emphasised that the new fleet must be used responsibly, cautioning that any misuse of municipal assets will not be tolerated and will be met with strict consequence management measures.

Mayor Mlotshwa was joined by members of the Municipal Council and the management committee during the unveiling, underscoring the leadership’s united commitment to improving the lives of Okhahlamba residents through responsive and efficient service delivery.

Today the Okhahlamba Local Municipality held its third Imbizo in Newstand, a traditional South African gathering designed to promote community engagement and knowledge sharing. This event brought together residents from various wards, offering them the opportunity to engage directly with key government departments and agencies.

The primary goal of the forum was to enhance communication between citizens and essential public services. The participating organisations included:

1. Department of Home Affairs  

2. Department of Social Development  

3. South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)  

4. Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)

This initiative aimed to improve access to critical services and information, helping to create a more connected, informed, and empowered community within the Okhahlamba municipality.

In a powerful display of community support, the Okhahlamba Local Municipality Youth Office organised a special prayer session today for matriculants on the brink of their life-changing final examinations. This event, held just 19 days before the commencement of the crucial matric finals on 21 October, underscores the profound significance these exams hold for the future of our young scholars.

The gathering brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including religious leaders, local government officials, educators, and the matriculants themselves. Pastor Maphalala and Bishop Gabela led the prayers, infusing the session with spiritual guidance and encouragement. His Worship, the Mayor, Cllr. V.R Mlotshwa, Deputy Mayor, Cllr. N.E. Tshabalala, and Speaker, Cllr. S.Z Khumalo highlighted the community’s united front in supporting these young minds during this critical juncture in their academic journey.

The matric final examinations represent a watershed moment in the lives of these students, serving as a gateway to their future aspirations and careers. Recognising the weight of this occasion, principals and teachers from various schools across the municipality attended the event, some offering words of motivation and support to the nervous yet determined matriculants.

As these young learners stand on the precipice of this monumental challenge, the Okhahlamba Local Municipality extends its heartfelt wishes for success to all matriculants. We acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and resilience that have brought them to this point, and we have full confidence in their ability to excel.

To our dear matriculants: As you enter the examination halls, know that your community stands behind you, cheering you on. May you approach these finals with confidence, clarity of mind, and the determination to showcase your best efforts. Remember, these exams are not just a test of knowledge, but an opportunity to open doors to your dreams.

We wish you strength, focus, and brilliance throughout this exam season. Your success is our success, and we eagerly await the bright futures that await you beyond these final papers. Good luck, and may you emerge victorious in this significant milestone of your educational journey!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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The Okhahlamba Local Municipality recently hosted its second imbizo, a traditional South African gathering focused on knowledge sharing and community engagement. Held in Emmaus, this event brought together over 300 residents from various wards, facilitating direct interaction with key government departments and agencies.

The forum’s primary objective was to bridge the gap between citizens and essential public services. Participating organisations included:

1. Department of Home Affairs

2. Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

3. Department of Social Development

4. South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)

5. South African Police Services (SAPS)

6. Various municipal departments

This initiative aimed to improve access to vital services and information, fostering a more connected and informed community within the Okhahlamba municipality.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Okhahlamba Local Municipality marked Women’s Month with a colorful Phinifa and Doek Day celebration on Thursday. The event commenced with a poignant prayer and candle-lighting vigil honouring victims of gender-based violence, followed by an energetic fashion show and certificate awarding ceremony to graduates of The Women’s Skills Development programme.

The gathering featured empowering messages from key government entities and organisations, including the KZN Departments of Social Development and Sports, Arts and Culture, as well as the Gabriel Foundation. These addresses focused on educating and empowering young women, with various government departments offering their services throughout the event.

Deputy Mayor Cllr. N.E Tshabalala delivered an inspiring message of hope to the attendees. She addressed critical issues such as the feminisation of poverty, HIV/AIDS prevention, gender equality, and the pressing concerns of gender-based violence and teenage pregnancy. Cllr. Tshabalala reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to improving the lives of young women in the community.

The event saw impressive community participation, with attendees adhering to the dress code. The municipality expressed gratitude for the strong turnout and extended thanks to all stakeholders and government departments for their invaluable support and educational contributions.

In a bid to enhance the operational efficiency of the Okhahlamba Municipality, a comprehensive two-day Strategic Planning session was convened at the Alpine Heath Resort from 18 to 19 April, 2024.

During these sessions, the council and municipal officials engaged in robust discussions covering various critical aspects. Topics ranged from formulating policies and strategies for the upcoming financial year to addressing service delivery bottlenecks identified through the IDP/Budget Roadshow process, alongside reviewing the draft budget. Additionally, presentations were delivered by key stakeholders to enrich the deliberations. The session was facilitated by Mr. Eric Sithole of Nsikayezwe Management Consultants.

His Worship, Mayor V.R. Mlotshwa underscored the importance of establishing strategic alliances to propel the municipality forward, ensuring the realisation of its strategic objectives aimed at uplifting the lives of its citizens. He also stressed the significance of upholding the municipality’s clean audit status as a pivotal priority.

The overarching goal of these sessions is to enhance the municipality’s performance by prioritising community needs and effectively allocating resources within the constraints of the municipality’s budget.

The council, alongside stakeholders and municipal officials, reaffirmed their unwavering dedication to collaborating synergistically despite the escalating economic challenges, both locally and globally.

The Okhahlamba Local Municipality was honoured last night at the Municipal Excellence Awards, hosted by the KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, for achieving and sustaining a clean audit. We take great pride in announcing that for the 2022/2023 financial year, we have secured our ninth consecutive clean audit outcome from the Auditor General of South Africa. This marks our ninth clean audit within a ten-year period, a testament to our unwavering commitment to fiscal responsibility. We are profoundly humbled by this achievement.

Despite facing significant challenges during the 2022/2023 financial year, our municipality has remained steadfast in maintaining a clean administration.

A crucial factor contributing to our consistency is the collective dedication of our staff, whom we proudly consider as family. Together, we operate with a shared vision to empower and improve the lives of those we serve. Additionally, we have diligently implemented National Treasury circulars to enforce cost-containment measures and adhere to sound financial management practices. Furthermore, we have successfully adapted to new political leadership, fostering a positive working relationship based on oversight and a shared commitment to progress.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the council, our dedicated staff, oversight committee members, government departments, stakeholders, and the Okhahlamba community for their unwavering support throughout the year. Our success reflects your ongoing commitment, and we are truly grateful for your continued support.

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Today Okhahlamba Local Municipality hosted its annual Matric Excellence Awards ceremony which was led by His Worship, Cllr. V.R Mlotshwa. The awards ceremony commemorated the top 30 highest academic achievers across the municipality.

In his keynote address Cllr. Mlotshwa reminded the learners that “The path to achieving success is always undergoing development” and encouraged them to always remember their roots.

The Bergville Circuit Manager Cluster outperformed Estcourt CMC and Mnambithi CMC. The Bergville CMC secured an 88,9% pass rate followed by Estcourt CMC (81.7%) and Mnambithi CMC (78.4%). The Emangwaneni Circuit secured a 91.2% pass rate with its Class of 2023 securing 436 bachelor passes, 250 diploma passes, 127 higher certificate passes and one national senior certificate pass. The top-performing schools in the Bergville CMC were Amazizi High School, Qhozo High School, Maqoqa High School and Bambazi High School. All of these schools secured a 100% pass rate.

The top five learners in the Bergville CMC were: Bhekithemba Sthembiso Nduduso Xaba (Amaphisi High School), Sbongakonke Alwande Khumalo (Amangwane High School), Alwande Zamakhuze Bulelani Zikalala (Ngcongcosi High School),  Edwin Ntokozo Ngubeni (Ubulinga High School), and Asanda Nobuhle Zikode (Ukhahlamba High School).

The event was attended by councillors, learners, parents, teachers, principals, dignitaries from the Department of Education and municipal officials.

We would like to congratulate the Class of 2023, the CMC and all the schools under it, the student governing bodies and everyone who contributed to this success on their remarkable achievement.