Executive Mayor Councillor Busisiwe Khanye has outlined an ambitious programme aimed at improving service delivery, strengthening municipal finances and creating economic opportunities for residents of Dipaleseng.
This as the Municipality enters the final phase of its current Integrated Development Plan (IDP).
Delivering the 2026/27 State of the Municipal Address (SOMA), Mayor Khanye acknowledged the challenges facing the municipality but said the administration remains committed to restoring stability and improving the quality of life for residents.
“Today I stand before you humbled by the responsibility bestowed upon us to provide leadership to the people of Dipaleseng Local Municipality and honoured by the opportunity to reflect on our collective journey,” said Khanye.
The mayor said the municipality’s priorities remain aligned with national and provincial development goals, including economic growth, infrastructure development, financial sustainability, improved service delivery, youth empowerment and building capable institutions.
“We continue to position ourselves as a municipality committed to restoring dignity, improving livelihoods and unlocking local economic opportunities,” she said.
Financial recovery remains a priority
Khanye told residents that the municipality continues to operate under severe financial pressure due to high unemployment, low revenue collection and rising bulk service costs.
“Despite these challenges, the municipality has continued to implement various corrective interventions aimed at restoring financial sustainability and institutional stability,” she said.
She highlighted the municipality’s voluntary Financial Recovery Plan, adopted in October 2024, as a key intervention to improve governance, strengthen revenue collection and promote disciplined spending.
Khanye also appealed to residents and businesses to pay for municipal services.
“Paying for services is not merely a legal obligation; it is a contribution towards sustained service delivery for future generations,” she said.
Audit outcome improves
The municipality recorded a significant improvement in its audit performance, moving from a qualified audit opinion to an unqualified audit opinion for the 2025/26 financial year.
“It is through these processes that we have witnessed steadfast improvements in the audit outcomes which remained stagnant in a qualified audit outcome in the past three financial years and finally moved to an unqualified audit opinion in the 2025/26 financial year,” said Khanye.
She said the municipality remains committed to ethical governance, accountability and transparency.
Water infrastructure receives attention
Access to clean and reliable water remains one of the municipality’s top priorities.
Khanye said the municipality has undertaken several interventions to improve water quality and supply, including the rehabilitation of the Fortuna Water Treatment Plant, the appointment of qualified process controllers and the acquisition of new vehicles for municipal plumbers.
“Whilst challenges remain, particularly in relation to ageing infrastructure and financial limitations, the municipality has restored the supply of water in high-lying areas which historically did not receive sufficient water pressure,” she said.
The municipality has also entered into a support agreement with Karan Beef to improve the maintenance and operation of critical water infrastructure.
Addressing sanitation challenges
Mayor Khanye acknowledged ongoing environmental and sanitation challenges but said the municipality remains committed to improving wastewater treatment and environmental compliance.
“We remain committed to restoring all three dysfunctional wastewater treatment plants. We further commit to restoring environmental compliance and protecting the health and dignity of our communities,” she said.
She added that work on the Siyathemba Sewer Pipeline and Balfour North sewer upgrades is progressing.
Energy security and economic opportunities
The mayor said energy security remains a major concern for households and businesses.
“We acknowledge the frustrations experienced by residents during prolonged outages and infrastructure failures. However, significant work continues behind the scenes to stabilise and modernise the electricity networks,” she said.
The municipality is working with Eskom to improve electricity distribution and reduce energy losses linked to illegal connections.
Khanye also highlighted opportunities linked to the Just Energy Transition and the future repurposing of the Grootvlei Power Station.
“This initiative presents an opportunity to position Dipaleseng as a future green economy hub while creating employment opportunities, food security initiatives and new economic investment prospects,” she said.
Focus on job creation
Economic growth and employment creation remain central to the municipality’s agenda.
The municipality continues to work with stakeholders including Sasol, Sibanye-Stillwater, Eskom, development partners and local businesses to support investment and job creation.
The Executive Mayor announced that the municipality is finalising a Local Economic Development Strategy that will guide economic growth over the next five years.
“It is through this strategic plan that the municipality shall ensure that local economic growth and opportunities benefit our communities, particularly young people, women and emerging businesses,” she said.
Informal settlements to be formalised
The mayor described the formalisation of informal settlements as one of the administration’s most significant achievements.
“One of the most groundbreaking initiatives undertaken during this term of administration relates to the formalisation of informal settlements and the advancement of integrated human settlements within Dipaleseng Local Municipality,” she said.
The programme aims to provide residents with secure land tenure, access to municipal services and opportunities for property ownership.
A new township development in Grootvlei Extension 3 is also being advanced.
Key projects planned
Among the major projects highlighted for the 2026/27 financial year are:
- Installation of municipal services in Grootvlei Extension 3.
- Completion of the Grootvlei Community Hall.
- Upgrading of the Siyathemba Sewer Pipeline.
- Construction of the Siyathemba Sports Stadium.
- Construction of the Nthoroane Sports Stadium.
- Upgrading of Balfour North sewer infrastructure.
- Formalisation of 11 informal settlements.
- Construction of an Old Age Centre in Siyathemba.
- Expansion of the Smart Urban Climate Horticulture Project.
Khanye urged residents to work with the municipality by paying for services, protecting public infrastructure and reporting vandalism and illegal connections.
“The road ahead remains challenging, but we remain hopeful and determined. The resilience of our communities, the commitment of our workforce and the collective leadership of Council continue to inspire confidence that together we can build a stronger and more sustainable Dipaleseng,” she said.
