Bold Targets Set for Mpumalanga’s Development

The Mpumalanga Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) has laid out an ambitious plan to drive service delivery and improve governance over the 2024-2029 period.

This was the focus of a strategic planning session held recently, where senior management and departmental officials aligned their priorities with the 7th Administration’s vision.

MEC Speed Mashilo emphasized that the department’s role is central to addressing key provincial challenges, including inclusive growth, job creation, poverty alleviation, and strengthening ethical governance.

“We must ensure that municipalities improve their audit outcomes, that traditional leaders receive the necessary support while remaining accountable, and that public service is professionalised to uphold the principles of good governance and ethical leadership.”

“This merger must not be a mere structural alignment but a transformation that directly benefits communities,” Mashilo said.

Among the key targets set for the next five years, CoGHSTA aims to:

• Deliver 25,000 serviced sites and acquire five land parcels in prime locations to support sustainable human settlements.
• Construct 11,827 low-cost housing units and 100 Community Residential Units (CRUs) to enhance access to affordable housing.
• Provide 10 social and economic facilities, such as community halls and early childhood development centres, to uplift communities.
• Register 10,000 title deeds to empower homeowners with full property ownership rights.
• Ensure 1,421,721 households gain access to clean water as part of efforts to improve basic service delivery.

The department reaffirmed its commitment to driving impactful change and ensuring sustainable development for the people of Mpumalanga. “We are not just setting goals; we are making a commitment to the people we serve,” Mashilo concluded.

With these plans in place, CoGHSTA aims to translate its vision into actionable programmes that will make a tangible difference in communities across the province.