28/10/2026
𝗶𝗟𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆, 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
The iLembe District Municipality convened its final Council meeting of the 2021-2026 term on 28 October 2026, marking the conclusion of five years of governance, infrastructure development and service delivery under the leadership of Executive Mayor, Councillor Thobani Shandu.
Addressing Council, traditional leaders, stakeholders and residents, Mayor Shandu reflected on the achievements of the outgoing administration, highlighting the significant progress made in expanding access to water and sanitation services, strengthening governance and laying the foundation for future growth across the district.
The Mayor noted that the Council assumed office in 2021 amid considerable challenges, including the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, growing service delivery demands and infrastructure backlogs. Despite these pressures, the Municipality remained committed to improving the quality of life of more than 782,000 residents across the district through strategic infrastructure investment and responsible governance.
𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲
One of the defining achievements of the 2021-2026 Council has been the advancement of major water and sanitation projects valued at more than R4 billion across the district.
Among the flagship projects implemented during the term were:
- The Macambini Water Supply Scheme in Mandeni, valued at approximately R515.5 million.
- The Ndulinde Water Supply Scheme, valued at approximately R163.1 million.
- Phase 2 of the Southern Regional Bulk Water and Sanitation Project in KwaDukuza, valued at approximately R281.4 million, benefiting more than 7,500 households.
- Groutville D Sanitation Phase 2, valued at approximately R138.9 million.
- The Maphumulo-KwaDukuza Sub-Regional Water Scheme, valued at approximately R326.5 million, serving nearly 77,900 residents.
- The Umshwathi Regional Bulk Water Project, with an estimated value exceeding R2.2 billion, aimed at strengthening long-term water security for rural communities.
The Municipality also invested approximately R159.6 million in sanitation programmes, resulting in the construction of more than 10,000 VIP toilets in Mandeni.
𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀
A key milestone of the Council term was the launch of the Etete and Shayamoya Yard Connections Project, valued at R13.4 million and funded through savings generated from the Municipality's profit-share agreement with Siza Water.
The project is helping households transition from reliance on communal water points to more convenient yard-level connections, improving access to water while enhancing dignity and quality of life for residents.
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟵
The outgoing Council also undertook strategic planning to secure the future of water and sanitation services within the KwaDukuza concession area.
With the Siza Water Concession scheduled to conclude in 2029, Council initiated the legally required Section 78 assessment process to determine the most appropriate future service delivery model. The process aims to ensure uninterrupted service delivery, protect consumers and position the Municipality to meet future water and sanitation demands sustainably and affordably.
𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀
Throughout its term, the Municipality strengthened partnerships with national and provincial government departments, traditional leadership institutions, sector stakeholders and the private sector to unlock funding opportunities and accelerate infrastructure delivery.
The Council also prioritised sound financial management, improved oversight and institutional governance, ensuring that public resources were utilised responsibly to maximise service delivery outcomes.
𝗔 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
While acknowledging the challenges that remain, including ageing infrastructure, water losses, climate-related pressures and increasing demand for services, Mayor Shandu said the Council leaves office having established a strong foundation for future development.
"The story of this Council is one of resilience, delivery and progress. Together, we expanded access to water and sanitation, invested billions in strategic infrastructure, strengthened governance and positioned iLembe District Municipality for continued growth and development," said Mayor Shandu.
As the Municipality prepares for a new Council following the 2026 Local Government Elections, the outgoing administration expressed confidence that future leaders will build on the progress achieved over the past five years.
The final Council meeting served as an opportunity to reflect on a term characterised by significant infrastructure investment, improved service delivery and a commitment to transforming the lives of communities across the district.
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