The Council of the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality has successfully adopted the Oversight Report and Annual Report for the 2023/2024 financial year, as mandated by Section 129(1) of the Municipal Finance Management Act, 56 of 2003.

During a Council meeting held on the 27^th of March 2025, the Annual Report and the accompanying Oversight Report for the 2023/2024 financial year were thoroughly considered and subsequently adopted without reservations.

This adoption reflects the Municipality’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance in accordance with statutory requirements.

For further details, please download the documents provided below:

The Honourable Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, conducted a listening tour in Upington to engage with beneficiaries of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). The initiative aimed to provide a platform for community members to share their experiences, challenges, and suggestions for improving the program.

During the engagement, the Minister encouraged open dialogue, urging beneficiaries and residents to voice their concerns. Key issues raised included allegations of political interference, nepotism, and the mismanagement of resources. Community members expressed frustration over the low stipends provided, reports of individuals being required to present political party membership cards to access opportunities, and the recurring participation of the same individuals in the program.

In response, Minister Macpherson emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing these challenges, reaffirming his commitment to ensuring that the EPWP operates equitably and serves its intended purpose. He assured attendees that their feedback would be taken into consideration as the government works towards enhancing the program. The Minister further highlighted plans to transform the EPWP into a more effective pathway to permanent employment by partnering with the private sector to create job opportunities for skilled and trained beneficiaries.

The event was attended by several key stakeholders, including the MEC for Roads and Public Works, Fufe Makatong; MEC for Agriculture, Mase Manopole; Speaker of the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, Cllr. Stanley Peterson, and the Acting Municipal Manager of the District Municipality, Mr. Andre Phete.

Today, the Executive Mayor of the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, Cllr Maryna Basson, alongside the Executive Mayor of the Dawid Kruiper Municipality, Cllr David Kazi, Ward Councillors, municipal officials, and the humanitarian organization Gift of the Givers, distributed food parcels, blankets, clothing, and other essential materials to communities affected by the recent gale force storms. This critical relief effort also extended to the communities of the Kai !Garib Municipality, ensuring that those in need receive immediate support.

These efforts form part of a coordinated Multi-Sectoral Disaster Response, following extensive stakeholder engagements, daily planning sessions, and continuous reporting to implement a structured Rapid Response Strategy. Our approach ensures the most effective use of resources, drawing from both government and private sector contributions to maximize impact. Recognizing the urgency of the crisis, today marks just the beginning of many further interventions. While food and essential supplies are being provided, the immediate need for adequate shelter and other critical support remains a top priority. We are fully committed to addressing these challenges with the urgency and seriousness they demand.

The ZF Mgcawu District Municipality stands resolute in its commitment to the residents of Dawid Kruiper and Kai !Garib—we will not rest until their lives are restored to normal. Our communities deserve immediate, decisive, and unwavering action, and we will continue to work relentlessly to rebuild, restore, and provide relief where it is needed most. In this critical moment, we call upon all stakeholders—government, community organizations, and private sector partners—to unite in solidarity. By working together, we can amplify our response efforts, mobilize greater resources, and ensure a swift, effective, and lasting recovery for all those affected.

In a heartwarming act of service and dedication, the Executive Mayor of the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, Cllr. Maryna Basson recently responded to a heartfelt request from the Keidebees Intermediate School to assist a young learner in need. The school reached out to the Executive Mayor, seeking support for a child who was struggling to see properly in class due to his weak eyesight.

Upon learning about the situation, the Executive Mayor immediately took action, ensuring that the learner received an eye test and the necessary corrective glasses. Due to the severity of the child’s eyesight problem, specialized lenses were required. Determined not to let financial constraints stand in the way of the learner’s education and well-being, the Executive Mayor secured the funds and even contributed from her resources to fully cover the costs.

Thanks to this intervention, the learner now has a clear vision, significantly improving his ability to participate in class and engage with his education. The Keidebees Intermediate School have expressed immense gratitude, acknowledging that this act of kindness has had a profound impact on the child’s academic journey.

This initiative is a reflection of the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality’s unwavering commitment to serving the community—one person at a time if necessary. While large-scale projects are important, we take great pride in ensuring that even individual needs are met when possible. Every act of service, no matter how small, contributes to the well-being and development of our people.

The ZF Mgcawu District Municipality convened a series of meetings of the Disaster Management Advisory Forum between the 10th to the 12th of March 2025 in response to the devastating gale-force rains that have severely impacted communities within the Dawid Kruiper Municipality and the Kai !Garib Municipality. This Forum, comprising key Government Departments and Local Municipalities, plays a critical role in coordinating disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts across the District. 

These engagements served as a platform to assess the immediate needs of the affected communities and to ensure a swift, effective, and coordinated government response. A comprehensive plan of action was developed to address the current crisis, with a focus on rapid relief measures, infrastructure rehabilitation, and long-term disaster resilience. In line with the Disaster Management Act (57 of 2002) the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, as the coordinating authority, is committed to ensuring that disaster response efforts are implemented with urgency and efficiency. Government has a duty to act decisively to protect lives, restore essential services, and provide support to families who have been displaced or severely affected by this disaster. 

We recognize that the scale of this crisis requires a multi-sectoral approach. As such, the District Municipality will work closely with both the public and private sectors to expedite relief efforts and infrastructure recovery. Collaboration between government, businesses, and civil society is essential in rebuilding our communities and strengthening resilience against future disasters. 

We urge all stakeholders, including community organizations and private sector partners, to join hands in this critical moment. Every effort, every resource, and every act of solidarity will make a difference in alleviating the suffering of our people. Government remains steadfast in its commitment to providing immediate assistance and implementing sustainable solutions to mitigate the impact of natural disasters. 

The ZF Mgcawu District Municipality assures the residents of Dawid Kruiper and Kai !Garib that we will not rest until normalcy is restored. Our people deserve nothing less than swift and decisive action, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that relief and recovery efforts are conducted efficiently, transparently, and with the urgency that this crisis demands. 

The Executive Mayor of the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, Cllr Maryna Basson in collaboration with the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA), formally handed over Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to 35 young learners enrolled in the National Water Waste Treatment & Process Controller Learnership program.

This initiative, designed to empower young people, particularly women, was underscored by speeches from the Executive Mayor, Cllr. Basson, and the Acting Municipal Manager, Mr. Andre Phete. Both leaders addressed the learners, expressing their encouragement and pride in witnessing these young individuals take a significant step toward building sustainable careers in Water Management.

Of the 35 beneficiaries, 90% are young women between the ages of 18 and 35. Having completed the initial four months of theoretical training, they are now set to embark on the practical phase of their program. Over the next eight months, they will gain invaluable hands-on experience in Water Waste Treatment and Process Control at the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality. A special word of appreciation was extended to the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality for providing these learners with the opportunity to complete their practical training there.

This collaboration is an investment in the future of these young people and their communities, equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in a critical industry for the nation. With the support of programs like this, the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality and LGSETA are ensuring that these young learners have the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to succeed and make a lasting impact in their field.

The ZF Mgcawu District Municipality has officially approved its 2024/2025 adjustment budget, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to responsible governance, financial sustainability, and the well-being of the communities it serves. This approval ensures that the municipality remains aligned with its financial objectives while effectively addressing emerging needs and challenges.

As outlined in the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), municipalities are required to periodically review and adjust their budgets to ensure alignment with actual revenue collection and expenditure patterns. The approval of an adjustment budget enables the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality to reallocate resources where they are most needed, ensuring efficient and effective governance. During the budget adjustment proceedings, a presentation was made by the Provincial Treasury, emphasising its ongoing commitment to collaborate with the District Municipality.

The Council welcomed the Audit Committee’s Report, highlighting its importance in strengthening transparency and accountability. The recommendations provided serve as a roadmap for management to enhance financial controls, mitigate risks, and improve service delivery. The ZF Mgcawu District Municipality expresses its gratitude to all stakeholders, including the Provincial Treasury and the Audit Committee, for their continued support and engagement. Through collective efforts, the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality reaffirms its commitment to transparent leadership, financial prudence, and good governance.

The District Municipality will continue to implement the best financial practices and accountability measures to ensure that public funds are managed effectively and in accordance with legal and ethical standards.

𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐔𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐙𝐅 𝐌𝐆𝐂𝐀𝐖𝐔 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐓 𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐏𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘

Notice is hereby given in terms of the Local Government Act: Municipal Systems, 2000 (Act 32/2000), that a Council Meeting of the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality will take place on Friday, 28 February 2025 at 10:00 in the Council Chambers. Please book your seat with Mr. B. Feris on 054 337 2850

Mr. A. Phete

Acting Municipal Manager

In terms of section 21(a) of the Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, read with section 127(5)(a) of the Municipal Finance Management Act, Act 56 of 2003, members of the public, communities within ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, government institutions, the private sector and civil society are hereby invited to comment on the Draft Annual Report for the 2023/2024 financial year.

The Report can be accessed on the Municipal Website: www.zfm-dm.gov.za as well as at the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality (Head Office)

Written comments must be addressed to the Office of the Municipal Manager,      Private Bag X6039, Upington, 8800. Please send your comments to Ms. Martha Clarke at mclarke@zfm-dm.gov.za

The closing date for submission of comments and representations is Friday, 28 February 2025

  Mr. IGA De Waal

 Acting Municipal Manager

A powerful windstorm swept through Augrabies in the Kai !Garib Municipal area in the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality on the 4th of February 2025, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Preliminary assessments conducted by the Mayor of Kai !Garib Municipality, Councillor Marshall Matthys, alongside municipal officials, reveal extensive damage to households, the local school, surrounding farms, and municipal offices. Entire roofs were ripped from buildings, and many families have been left in turmoil, grappling with the aftermath of the storm. 

In response to the disaster, the Department of Social Development, COGHSTA, and other relevant stakeholders have joined the assessment teams to evaluate the support and assistance required for the affected communities. The team met with the affected residents to gather information on their needs and concerns. The storm has also caused widespread power outages, with electricity yet to be restored.

Based on the findings of these assessments the Interdepartmental Response Team will be developing a comprehensive recovery plan that addresses the needs of the affected communities. We will keep the community informed of our progress and provide regular updates on our recovery efforts.

ISSUED BY THE ZF MGCAWU DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY