On Monday evening, the first day of the Mpumalanga Assembly, SALGA took the opportunity to recognise and honour the outstanding contributions of various municipalities within the province. This celebration underscored the vital role that local government plays in driving development, fostering community engagement, and ensuring service delivery reaches every corner of Mpumalanga.

A Night of Celebration and Recognition

Speaking at the event, SALGA Deputy Chairperson, Councillor Nomsa Mtsweni, expressed her pride and appreciation for the dedication demonstrated by local government officials and their teams. “Tonight, we celebrate those who have transformed challenges into platforms for progress — leaders with integrity, vision, and resilience. We also pay tribute to the countless municipal officials, technical staff, community partners, and volunteers whose tireless efforts often go unnoticed but are the backbone of effective service delivery,” she said.

Highlights of the Excellence Awards

The awards ceremony highlighted exemplary achievements across several categories, encouraging municipalities to continue striving for excellence:

• Best Geographic Information System (GIS): Awarded to Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, recognising innovative use of digital mapping technology to improve urban planning, service delivery, and infrastructure development.
• Best Performing District Municipality on Local Economic Development Stakeholder Management: Presented to Nkangala District Municipality, acknowledging efforts in fostering partnerships among local businesses, government, and community organisations to stimulate economic growth.
• Best Performing Local Municipality in Capacitating Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs): Awarded to Thembisile Hani Local Municipality for its successful initiatives in providing relevant skills training and support programmes that empower local entrepreneurs.
• Best Municipality on Migration Management: Recognising Ehlanzeni District Municipality’s effective policies and programmes in managing internal migration and ensuring inclusive services for all residents.
• Best Municipality on Municipal Health Services: Awarded to Nkangala District Municipality, highlighting improved healthcare delivery and health promotion activities at municipal clinics and outreach programmes.
• Best Municipality on Arts, Culture, and Heritage: Presented to Nkomazi Local Municipality, celebrating its efforts to preserve and promote local cultural heritage through projects, festivals, and events.
• Best Municipality in Combating Gender-Based Violence and Femicide: Recognising Steve Tshwete Local Municipality’s proactive approach in addressing GBV through community awareness campaigns, support services, and partnerships.
• Best District Development Model (DDM) Coordinating District: Awarded to Nkangala District Municipality for its exemplary coordination and implementation of integrated district development strategies.
• Best Transport Forum Coordination: Presented to Ehlanzeni District Municipality, acknowledging its effective management of transportation planning and service delivery frameworks.

The event also recognised municipalities for specific operational excellence:

• Runner-up for Implementation and Cascading of the Performance Management and Development System (PMDS): Thembisile Hani Local Municipality, for its commitment to staff development and performance accountability.
• Best District Municipality on Implementation of PMDS: Ehlanzeni District Municipality, for embedding performance management into daily operations to improve service quality.
• Best Local Municipality on Implementation of PMDS: Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, promoting a performance-driven culture amongst municipal staff.
• Best Municipality in Addressing Climate Change and Biodiversity: Nkangala District Municipality, demonstrating leadership in environmental sustainability initiatives and climate resilience.
• Best Municipal Environmental Management Team: Recognising Ehlanzeni District Municipality’s outstanding efforts in promoting environmental conservation and sustainable practices.
• Best Municipality in Fire and Rescue Services By-laws and Performance: Multiple awards were presented to Gert Sibande District Municipality, Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, Victor Khanye Local Municipality, and Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality for their comprehensive fire safety regulations and effective emergency response services.

Significance of the Awards

These awards serve as a reminder that local governments are key drivers of community development and social stability. They motivate municipalities to continually improve service delivery, adopt innovative solutions, and foster inclusive growth. SALGA’s recognition aims to inspire a spirit of healthy competition and a shared commitment towards building resilient, prosperous, and better-performing local governments across Mpumalanga and beyond.

Looking Ahead

As SALGA’s Mpumalanga Assembly continues, the focus remains on strengthening governance, capacity building, and citizens’ participation. The organisation believes that through collaboration, transparency, and dedication, local governments can meet the diverse needs of their communities and achieve sustainable development goals.

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