Raymond Mhlaba Municipality

22/09/2026

Raymond Mhlaba Municipality Hosts Build-Up Activity for the District International Disaster Risk Reduction Commemoration

22 September 2026, Hogsback – In activating the District Annual Commemoration of International Disaster Risk Reduction in the Amathole District Municipality, the Raymond Mhlaba Municipality hosted the build-up activity for the commemoration, marking the start of a series of activities to strengthen disaster preparedness, prevention, and community resilience across the district.

The build-up activity, held in Hogsback, took the form of a training workshop for Disaster Management Volunteers within Raymond Mhlaba Municipality. The training focused on equipping volunteers with practical knowledge and skills to identify and assess disaster risks before they occur, while strengthening their understanding of disaster patterns and appropriate response measures.

A key component of the training was the importance of risk identification and historical disaster scanning. Volunteers were guided in examining the history of disasters within specific communities and geographic areas to better understand existing vulnerabilities and identify potential risks. This approach is intended to support proactive disaster risk reduction by enabling communities to anticipate and prepare for hazards, rather than responding only after disasters occur. The municipality's hosting of the activity also provided a platform to strengthen the capacity of local volunteers who serve as an important link between disaster management authorities and communities.

22/09/2026

The Hon Mayor of Raymond Mhlaba Municipality, Cllr Nomhle Sango, joins the call for urgent and collective action to end Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Femicide.

22/09/2026

POWERING PROGRESS: ESKOM RECOGNISES RAYMOND MHLABA MUNICIPALITY

Earlier today, the Raymond Mhlaba Municipality was recognised by Eskom for its commitment to responsible account management and its efforts to support sustainable electricity services to its communities.

The recognition was made during a visit by Eskom’s General Manager for the Cape Coastal Cluster, covering the Eastern and Western Cape, Mr M. Yedwa, accompanied by Eskom officials from East London and Cape Town.

During the engagement, Eskom acknowledged the Municipality’s progress in payment of its current account, including a R200 million write-off to date, and its continued efforts to work collaboratively with Eskom to ensure sustainable electricity services.

As part of the recognition, Eskom presented Raymond Mhlaba Municipality with a Certificate of Recognition in appreciation of its commitment and progress in managing its electricity account.
Municipal Manager Ms U.T. Malinzi, accompanied by Municipal Directors, welcomed the recognition and reaffirmed the Municipality’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Eskom.

“Raymond Mhlaba Municipality remains committed to good governance and service excellence. We recognise that strong intergovernmental relations are essential to addressing service delivery challenges and ensuring that our communities receive the best possible services. We value our partnership with Eskom and look forward to strengthening this relationship for the benefit of the people of Raymond Mhlaba,” said Ms Malinzi.

The engagement highlighted the importance of continued collaboration between the two institutions to ensure reliable, sustainable and quality electricity services for communities across Raymond Mhlaba Municipality.

21/09/2026

Bedford, let's talk TOURISM! 🌍

Do you run a B&B, a tour, a restaurant, a craft business or a local attraction in Bedford? The Raymond Mhlaba Municipality wants YOU at the table.

Join us as we establish the Bedford Community Tourism Organisation, a structure that will unite us and grow our local economy.
📍 Bedford Town Hall |
🗓️ 22 Sept 2026 |
🕚 11h00

UMANYANO KUPHUHLISO

17/09/2026

Raymond Mhlaba Municipality encourages registered voters who may be unable to vote on the Election Day to make arrangements to apply for a special vote.

📅 Applications open: 21 September 2026

A Special Vote provides eligible voters with an opportunity to cast their vote before Election Day, in accordance with the Electoral Commission (IEC) requirements.

📢 Don’t miss the application period. Make your voice count and participate in the electoral process.

To check eligibility: https://www.elections.org.za/pw/specialvotes/about-special-vote

Special Voting is available to eligible voters who meet the requirements and cannot cast their ballot on Election Day.

Remember, voters MUST vote at the voting station where they are registered. If visiting your registered voting station on Election Day will not be possible, a Special Vote allows you to cast your ballot at your registered voting station ahead of time.

There are two types of Special Voting:

Home Visit: For eligible voters who cannot travel due to a physical condition or disability (officials will visit you at your home within your voting district).

Voting Station Visit: For eligible voters who can travel to their registered voting station on the early voting days, but cannot do so on Election Day.

Applications open on 21 September 2026.

To check eligibility: https://www.elections.org.za/pw/specialvotes/about-special-vote

Know the requirements. Plan ahead. Make your vote count.

Get Up. Show Up. Vote. 🗳️

17/09/2026

What's happening today?

RAYMOND MHLABA MUNICIPALITY CONVENES IGR MEETING TO STRENGTHEN SERVICE DELIVERY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

eDikeni | 17 September 2026

The Raymond Mhlaba Municipality is currently convening an Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) meeting at the Municipal Council Chambers in eDikeni, bringing together key stakeholders to deliberate on matters relating to service delivery, development projects and the needs of communities across the municipality.

The multi-stakeholder engagement serves as an important platform for strengthening coordination between government stakeholders, sharing progress on projects and addressing service delivery matters affecting communities within Raymond Mhlaba Municipality.

The meeting further provides an opportunity for stakeholders to report on interventions being implemented, identify challenges that may be hindering service delivery, and collectively explore solutions to ensure that government programmes respond effectively to the needs of communities.

Welcoming attendees to the meeting, Hon. Mayor Cllr Nomhle Sango, emphasised the importance of regular IGR engagements in promoting transparency, accountability and effective communication between government and the communities it serves. “It is important that we come together in these sittings because they provide us with an opportunity to receive updates on the projects and service delivery matters taking place in our communities. As government, we have a responsibility to account to the public and to ensure that communities are informed about progress, challenges and interventions. This platform allows us to engage openly, ask the necessary questions and ensure that we have clear answers on matters that affect our people.”

The Mayor further highlighted the importance of collaboration among government institutions and stakeholders in addressing challenges experienced by communities, noting that effective service delivery requires collective effort, proper coordination and a shared commitment to improving the lives of residents.

The IGR meeting will continue with engagements on various municipal and government programmes, projects and service delivery matters, with stakeholders expected to provide updates and contribute towards identifying practical interventions.

17/09/2026

🐕🐈 RABIES VACCINATION CAMPAIGN

Raymond Mhlaba Municipality, in partnership with the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture - Veterinary Services, invites community members to bring their dogs and cats for a rabies vaccination campaign.

📅 Date: 17 September 2026
⏰ Time: 09h00–14h00
📍 Venue: Msobomvu Community Hall

💉 Protect your pets, your family and your community against rabies. Bring your dogs and cats to the vaccination campaign.

All community members are encouraged to participate.

17/09/2026

🌾 EL NIÑO AWARENESS DAY – PROTECTING YOUR FARM & LIVELIHOOD

Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality, in partnership with the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture, invites farmers, farmer associations and community members to attend **El Niño Awareness Day advisory sessions.

Farmers will receive practical guidance on:
✅ Water management during drought
✅ Crop resilience and drought-tolerant crops
✅ Livestock care during dry conditions
✅ El Niño preparedness

📍 Upcoming Sessions:

📌 Balfour – 17 September 2026
Mpofu Training Centre | 10h00

📌 Adelaide – 21 September 2026
Adelaide Town Hall | 10h00

📌 Middledrift – 22 September 2026
Bonakele Milner Ntsangani Multi-Purpose Centre | 10h00

📌 KwaMaqoma – 23 September 2026
Cape College | 10h00

📞 Contact: Ms Mkosana A – 083 296 3786

🌱 All farmers are welcome. Let’s prepare today to protect our farms, livelihoods and food security.

16/09/2026

PEACE OVER EVERYTHING: NDINDWA FAMILIES RECONCILE IN A COMMUNITY PRAYER

16 September 2026, Ndindwa Village – The Raymond Mhlaba Municipality, in partnership with the Eastern Cape Department of Community Safety and a range of stakeholders, hosted a peace-building prayer at Ndindwa Community Hall, bringing residents of Ndindwa Village together under one roof in pursuit of unity and healing.

Held under the theme "Kwakulawula uxolo lodwa, ngezwi lakho Thixo", the gathering was led by the Ministers' Fraternal and attended by government officials, local leaders, and community members, who came together not only to pray, but to reaffirm a shared commitment to a village where families live without fear.

The prayer follows a tragic incident in which community members lost their lives after being burnt to death, a loss that left deep wounds across the village. The matter has since been concluded in court, with the offenders sentenced to life imprisonment. While justice has taken its course, the community acknowledged that a court judgment alone cannot restore what was broken between neighbors, and that the work of healing remains in the hands of the people of Ndindwa themselves.

Delivering the welcoming remarks, Hon Mayor Cllr. Nomhle Sango told those gathered that peace is not something a community inherits from outside; it begins with each individual. “You have to be at peace with yourself, which will then make it easy for you to forgive other people," she said, underscoring that reconciliation within families and among neighbors is the foundation on which a peaceful community is built.

Mayor Sango’s message set the tone for a session in which faith leaders, government, and residents stood on common ground. In one of the most moving moments of the session, the two affected families were given an opportunity to reflect on how the incident had affected them and to share their journey towards finding peace. The two families have made peace with one another, a reconciliation that carries enormous weight in a village where families live side by side, share the same spaces, and raise their children together.

For Ndindwa Village, the impact of such gatherings extends well beyond the prayers offered on the day. A community at peace is one where children can move safely, where local businesses can trade with confidence, and where residents are able to participate fully in development programmes intended to improve their lives. Peace, in this sense, is a service delivery issue as much as a moral one.

16/09/2026

WEATHER ALERT | LEVEL 2 DISRUPTIVE RAIN WARNING [KWAMAQOMA & ADELAIDE]

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Level 2 Disruptive Rain Warning for Thursday, 17 September 2026 to Friday,18 September 2026 affecting KwaMaqoma areas.

Residents are advised to:
• Avoid traveling during severe weather where possible
• Stay away from flooded roads and low-lying areas
• Secure loose objects around homes
• Remain indoors during thunderstorms
• Follow official weather updates

For 24hr emergency assistance, please contact Municipal Fire and Disaster Services on 046 645 7402 or Ward Councillors and Ward Committees.

The Municipality urges all community members to remain vigilant and prioritize safety at all times.