The City of uMhlathuze (CoU) was named the overall winner, securing more awards than any other municipality at the KwaZulu-Natal Municipal Excellence Awards held in Durban on Tuesday.
The KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) hosted the event to recognise those who have demonstrated exceptional performance and commitment to service delivery. The various categories included good governance, audit outcomes, best Integrated Development Plan (IDP), and cleanest town/city.
The CoU received a prize of R1 million, acknowledging their comprehensive excellence in municipal governance and service delivery. The CoU scooped an impressive seven awards. They had the best:
• Application of Geographical Information System.
• Spatial Development Framework.
• Collaboration between Municipality and Traditional Authority in Planning and Land Use Management.
• IDP 2024/2025.
• Sustainable Project – Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
• Clean Audit.
The CoU was placed third for Local Economic Development Strategy.
The uMlalazi Local Municipality was awarded R500 000 for achieving the title of the cleanest town in KZN, demonstrating its dedication to environmental stewardship and community well-being. uMlalazi also received awards for achieving a Clean Audit and being recognised for best-managed road infrastructure.
The MEC for Cogta Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi said the event served as a platform to highlight best practices and inspire all municipalities to strive for higher standards in serving their communities and fostering an environment conducive to investment.
“We recognised the tireless efforts of those who work daily to ensure that our communities receive the basic services they deserve: water, electricity, sanitation, and roads. These are not just amenities; they are the foundation of human dignity and progress," Buthelezi said.
Premier of KZN, Thamsanqa Ntuli, said it is through collaboration, dedication, and unwavering commitment that they see such excellence in governance.
Ntuli encouraged all municipalities to draw inspiration from this recognition and redouble their efforts in delivering efficient, transparent, and accountable governance that prioritises service delivery.
“I acknowledge the resilience of municipalities in overcoming challenges, including climate change-related disasters, and urged them to continue fostering partnerships between government, traditional leaders, businesses, and communities,” he said.
The Deputy Chairperson of the IFP in KZN, Inkosi Ntandoyenkosi Shabalala, congratulated CoU Mayor Xolani Ngwezi, for his steadfast leadership, as well as the municipal team, coalition partners Democratic Alliance (DA), African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), Freedom Front Plus (FFP), and National Freedom Party (NFP), Amakhosi, councillors, and staff.
“This remarkable achievement not only affirms the IFP’s good governance and commitment to service delivery but also proves detractors wrong — those who falsely claim that the City of uMhlathuze is in crisis. Instead, this victory highlights the city’s stability, efficiency, and commitment to improving the lives of its residents,” he said.
Councillor Christo Botha, the deputy mayor of CoU and member of the DA, said it was a phenomenal experience for the city to have won so many awards.
Botha said the city does have its challenges but at the end of the day, they are resolved.
“The award is testimony to what can be done if political parties work together and share the same goals for the voters in terms of service delivery, clean governance, and responsible financial management. It is a collective effort. I am proud of the inputs and the difference that the DA makes in the running of the city. It is a proud moment for me as deputy mayor,” Botha said.
Councillor Siboniso Thwala, of the ACDP, said people have lost hope in municipalities with bad audit reports but uMhlathuze has had clean audits for consecutive years, and also being number one in IDPs.
"This brings hope to members of the community we serve. The ACDP is proud of being part of the team that does well," Thwala said.
Lange Anneke, of the Freedom Front Plus, said the political parties have worked well together even at times when they did not agree on certain issues.
“We work around it. We are as good as we can get. It also took a lot of effort from Mayor Ngwezi,” she said.