Umdoni Municipality News

02/06/2026

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS:
‼️SMME AND COOPERATIVE SUPPORT PROGRAMME‼️

02/06/2026

UMDONI’S APPROVED BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE 2026/27 FINANCIAL YEAR

01/06/2026

UMDONI MUNICIPALITY INTENSIFIES RURAL ROAD REHABILITATION

Umdoni Municipality’s Phase 1 of the massive rural road rehabilitation programme is nearing completion. This ambitious initiative has brought tangible improvements to 15 rural wards, with work conducted on two roads per ward, ensuring that communities across the municipality benefit from safer, more accessible infrastructure.

🚧The regravelling programme has focused on:🚧

1. Reshaping and widening rural roads to improve accessibility and safety.
2. Adding a fresh layer of gravel material to restore the cross fall and camber, ensuring proper drainage and durability.
3. Opening mitre drains to enhance stormwater management and prevent erosion.
4. Compacting and processing gravel to deliver a smoother, more resilient surface finish.

This structured approach reflects Umdoni’s commitment to service delivery excellence, ensuring that rural communities are not left behind in infrastructure development.

By rehabilitating the rural road network, the municipality is not only improving mobility but also strengthening socio‑economic development. Better roads translate to easier access to schools, clinics, markets, and workplaces, directly empowering residents and supporting local economic growth.

The Mayor Cllr MJ Cele‑Luthuli emphasized the importance of this milestone; “The rehabilitation of our rural road network is a clear demonstration of Umdoni’s dedication to service delivery and community upliftment. Roads are the lifelines of our communities and by investing in their renewal, we are investing in the future of our people. This programme ensures that every ward feels the impact of development and it is a step forward in building a stronger, more connected community.”

As Phase 1 nears completion, Umdoni Municipality reaffirms its pledge to accelerate infrastructure renewal and continue delivering impactful projects that improve the daily lives of residents. The rural road rehabilitation programme stands as a testament to the municipality’s vision of inclusive development and sustainable service delivery.

“Working Together to Build Better Communities”

ISSUED BY:
UMDONI MUNICIPALITY

01/06/2026

UMDONI COUNCIL APPROVES SERVICE-DELIVERY DRIVEN 2026/27 BUDGET

Umdoni Municipality has adopted its 2026/27 Final Budget, reaffirming its commitment to service delivery excellence, infrastructure development and community empowerment.

Delivering the budget speech, Mayor Cllr MJ Cele-Luthuli highlighted the municipality’s achievements and future plans:
“While challenges persist, our work on the ground speaks for itself. We remain committed to delivering tangible improvements that uplift the daily lives of our residents.”

SERVICE DELIVERY ACHIEVEMENTS:
1. Refurbishment and official opening of Dumisa Community Hall and Skills Centre (Ward 5).
2. Completion of Mafithini Tar Road (Ward 9) and Nsongeni Tar Road (Ward 16).
3. Electrification of Mbetheni, pending commissioning of smart meters.
4. Ongoing projects include Amalangeni Bridge (Ward 11, 90% complete) and Oswanini Community Hall (Ward 7, 15% complete).

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Operating Revenue: R408.8 million
2. Operating Expenditure: R459.3 million
3. Capital Budget: R84.1 million

TARIFF ADJUSTMENTS:
5% increase across services; 33% increase for residential refuse collection.

INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT:
1. A significant portion of the budget is dedicated to infrastructure, including:
2. Road Upgrades: Emaromeni (Ward 14), KwaXulu (Ward 18), Nkanini (Ward 19).
3. Community Facilities: Nkululeko Hall (Ward 6), Oswanini Hall (Ward 7).
4. Urban Roads Rehabilitation: R8 million allocated for Beach Road, Palm Road, Lotus Drive, Venus Crescent, and Williamson Street.
5. Rural Roads Rehabilitation: R18 million for re-gravelling and construction of steep hills.
6. Street Lighting & Verge Maintenance: R6.5 million combined allocation.
7. Fleet & Waste Management: R14.7 million for yellow plant, R3.4 million for skips, R11 million for landfill site maintenance.

ELECTRIFICATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES:

1. Electrification of Qwembe (Ward 4) and Mahwaqa (Ward 3) at R900,000.

Special programmes supporting youth bursaries, gender initiatives, disability, HIV/AIDS, elderly care, indigent families, and sports development with a combined allocation exceeding R8 million.

LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
1. SMME & Cooperative Support: R1 million
2. Agriculture Tractor Programme: R100,000
3. One Home, One Garden Programme: R300,000

The municipality is also prioritising significant investment in the rehabilitation of municipal assets to strengthen infrastructure and guarantee sustainable, impactful service delivery for all communities.

Mayor Cele-Luthuli concluded by calling for collective responsibility: “Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Together, we must deliver services that restore dignity and create lasting opportunities for all residents of Umdoni.”

ISSUED BY:
UMDONI MUNICIPALITY

28/05/2026

UMDONI COUNCIL RESOLVES TO EMPLOY MR DD NAIDOO AS ACTING MUNICIPAL MANAGER

The sitting of Umdoni’s Ordinary Council Meeting held on 27 May 2026, resolved to employ Mr DD Naidoo as the Acting Municipal Manager for a period of three months, ending in August 2026.

This resolution was taken in line with the provisions of the Municipal Systems Act, 32 of 2000, and the Municipal Structures Act, 117 of 1998, which empower Council to designate an Acting Municipal Manager to ensure continuity of administration and stability in municipal operations.

The appointment of Mr Naidoo underscores Council’s commitment to maintaining effective governance and advancing service delivery during this transitional period. His leadership will provide the necessary administrative oversight.

The Mayor Cllr MJ Cele-Luthuli reaffirmed Council’s dedication to transparency and service delivery. “This decision ensures that the Municipality continues to function smoothly, with a clear focus on serving our residents and strengthening confidence in our institution.”

Umdoni Municipality assures all stakeholders that service delivery remains a top priority, and the administration will continue to work tirelessly to meet the needs of the community.

ISSUED BY:
UMDONI MUNICIPALITY

27/05/2026

22/05/2026

‼️PUBLIC NOTICE‼️

22/05/2026

‼️MEDIA STATEMENT‼️