The spirit of Christmas came alive in Kanoneiland and Grootdrink as the Executive Mayor, Cllr Maryna Basson, spent time with local children, personally handing over Christmas presents and sharing in moments of joy, laughter and excitement.

For many of the children, the visit was more than just about the gifts, it was about feeling seen, valued and remembered during a special time of the year. The children and their families expressed heartfelt gratitude for the kindness shown, describing the gesture as one that brought hope and happiness into their communities. This Christmas outreach reflects a continued commitment to bring joy to children who will remember these moments long after the holidays have passed.

During today’s Council meeting, the ZF Mgcawu District Municipal Council resolved that the ongoing water shortages in Kai !Garib Municipality require immediate and decisive intervention. Our communities have endured prolonged hardship and as reaffirmed during the South African Human Rights Commission inquiry, access to safe drinking water is a basic human right, one we cannot afford to compromise.

Council has mandated the Executive Mayor, Cllr Maryna Basson, to lead a dedicated ZFM team to urgently support Kai !Garib Municipality. Using our own limited resources, the District Municipality has begun delivering water to affected communities as a short-term measure to help stabilise the situation.

While this intervention is not a permanent solution, it is a necessary one. We will continue providing support within the constraints of our available resources, until the local municipality has the situation fully under control. We sincerely apologise to all residents for the distress caused by the water shortages. The District remains committed to standing with our communities, acting with urgency and doing everything possible to restore dignity and access to this essential service.

The ZF Mgcawu District Municipality hosted a powerful demonstration against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) outside its headquarters today, reaffirming its commitment to the national 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign. This year’s campaign is anchored under the national theme: “Letsema: Men, Women, Boys and Girls working together to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).”

Officials from various government departments, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality joined the demonstration, showing unified support and reinforcing the message that GBV requires a coordinated societal response.

The Executive Mayor of the ZFM District Municipality, Cllr Maryna Basson, urged officials to be the voice for those suffering in silence, stressing that GBV affects women, children and men. She reminded everyone to say no to any form of violence and never stand by when others are afraid to speak out. The Municipal Manager, Mrs Samantha Titus-Tatas, reinforced that GBV is a serious issue and that today’s gathering is about raising our voices for those who cannot. The ZF Mgcawu District Municipality remains committed to creating communities where everyone feels safe, valued and protected.

Together, we stand against GBV. Together, we protect our communities

The ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, under the leadership of the Executive Mayor, Cllr Maryna Basson, officially concluded its Cancer Awareness Month campaign under the theme “Every story is unique, every journey matters.” October serves as a powerful reminder to create awareness, honour the millions of lives touched by breast cancer, and reaffirm our collective commitment to equitable access to care and improved survival for all. Cancer doesn’t just affect those diagnosed; it impacts families, colleagues, and entire communities.

Throughout October, the District Municipality brought this message to life by turning awareness into action. Staff members participated wholeheartedly in a month-long programme that included wearing pink, contributing to care packs for those in need, and decorating their offices in creative, meaningful ways. These small yet powerful gestures reflected unity, compassion, and the understanding that awareness begins within our own spaces. The campaign fostered team spirit and heartfelt reflection, as staff shared personal stories and experiences about loved ones who had battled cancer. The sense of solidarity and empathy was felt across all directorates, reminding everyone that while cancer divides, community heals.

In her remarks, Executive Mayor Cllr Maryna Basson extended her gratitude to the Municipal Manager and staff for their enthusiastic participation and genuine effort in raising awareness. She commended the collective dedication that transformed the workplace into a space of hope and support. The Municipal Manager, Mrs Samantha Tatas-Titus, in turn, thanked employees for their creativity, laughter, and energy throughout the campaign. She also reminded everyone of the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and prioritising their own well-being. The ZF Mgcawu District Municipality is proud of its staff not only for spreading awareness but also for embodying the true spirit of care and humanity. Together, they have shown that every story is indeed unique and every journey truly matters.

Today, the Environmental Health Services Unit of the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, in partnership with Anglo American Kolomela Mine, the Department of Health Environmental Health Practitioners, the Tsantsabane Local Municipality, and various other stakeholders, hosted a Food Safety Awareness Showcase for SMMEs in the food business sector. The initiative provided small food business owners with the opportunity to demonstrate their practical cooking and hygiene skills by preparing meals on-site, turning theory into action.

Small food enterprises are the heartbeat of local communities, sustaining livelihoods and contributing meaningfully to local economies. However, many vendors find it difficult to translate food safety training into daily practice due to limited resources, low confidence, and the perceived complexity of compliance requirements. Through this project, the District Municipality, in partnership with Anglo American Kolomela Mine, Department of Health and the Tsantsabane Local Municipality, aims to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice by offering a supportive, hands-on platform where learning becomes doing.

The showcase encourages participants to realise that food safety compliance is not out of reach, and that with guidance and mentorship, they can meet and sustain the required health standards under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants (FCD) Act and Regulation R638. This showcase was more than an event it’s a step toward safer food, empowered entrepreneurs, and healthier communities.

Today, the Political Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Forum convened at the Tsantsabane Local Municipality, chaired by the Executive Mayor of the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, Councillor Maryna Basson. She was joined by the Speaker of Council, Councillor Stanley Peterson, and the Mayor of Tsantsabane, Councillor Helena English. The session focused on progress made following the South African Human Rights Commission’s inquiry into service delivery and governance challenges within municipalities.

The Commission had raised serious concerns regarding systemic service delivery failures and the resulting violations of basic human rights. The Commission had requested that municipalities submit specific documentation as part of the inquiry process, and cautioned that failure to do so would constitute non-compliance with legal implications.

Today, the Political Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Forum convened at the Tsantsabane Local Municipality, chaired by the Executive Mayor of the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, Councillor Maryna Basson. She was joined by the Speaker of Council, Councillor Stanley Peterson, and the Mayor of Tsantsabane, Councillor Helena English. The session focused on progress made following the South African Human Rights Commission’s inquiry into service delivery and governance challenges within municipalities. The Commission had raised serious concerns regarding systemic service delivery failures and the resulting violations of basic human rights. The Commission had requested that municipalities submit specific documentation as part of the inquiry process, and cautioned that failure to do so would constitute non-compliance with legal implications.

Municipalities were reminded that they have a legal and ethical obligation to ensure compliance with legislative requirements and to submit all required documentation by Friday, 31 October 2025.

The District Municipality emphasised that while each municipality operates autonomously, local government remains one sphere working towards one goal of improving the lives of our people. As public servants, we are bound by a shared duty to serve our communities with integrity, accountability and urgency. The forum concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening intergovernmental coordination, improving service delivery outcomes, and ensuring that the people of the ZF Mgcawu District receive the quality of service they rightfully deserve

The ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, together with its five Local Municipalities (Kai !Garib, Dawid Kruiper, Tsantsabane, Kgatelopele and !Kheis Local Municipalities), appeared before the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) as part of the Commission’s provincial inquiry into the state of service delivery in the Northern Cape. The inquiry focused on critical human rights concerns relating to water provision, sanitation, municipal governance, and the broader challenges impacting service delivery. The Commission noted that the inquiry followed numerous complaints raised by communities across the province regarding access to basic municipal services. The Municipal Manager of the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, Mrs. Samantha Tatas-Titus led the delegation, supported by senior management.

The Municipal Manager noted that municipalities are operating under serious financial strain, with a shortage of technical and specialised skills and aging infrastructure requiring major investment. These challenges are further compounded by historic structural inefficiencies, including bloated staff components, as well as limited project management capacity needed to implement and sustain service delivery improvements. Each  of the five Local Municipalities outlined systemic barriers impacting service delivery in their respective areas, including water quality concerns, supply disruptions, maintenance backlogs, and infrastructure deficits.

The ZF Mgcawu District Municipality concluded the session by outlining the support currently provided to Local Municipalities in line with its constitutional mandate. This support includes technical advisory assistance, the coordination of disaster management and infrastructure planning and the facilitation of intergovernmental relations to improve alignment across spheres of government, and capacity-building support where resources allow. Mrs. Tatas-Titus emphasized that while the challenges are serious and deep-rooted, they cannot be resolved overnight, but require collaborative governance, predictable funding, and strengthened institutional capacity.

The Commission acknowledged and welcomed the District Municipality’s frank and sincere engagement, noting that accountability, transparency and truthful reporting are critical to restoring public confidence in local government. The Municipal Manager expressed appreciation to the Commission for holding municipalities accountable and reaffirmed the District’s commitment to improving service delivery outcomes with urgency, realism and measurable actions.

The ZF Mgcawu District Municipality is proud to announce that it has been recognised for its exemplary financial management during the Local Government Indaba Awards Gala Dinner, hosted by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Mr Velenkosini Hlabisa. The ZF Mgcawu District Municipality was awarded in recognition of its outstanding achievement in achieving 100% Conditional Grant Expenditure. This significant reflects our institution’s unwavering commitment to good governance, transparency, and accountability. The award was accepted by the Speaker of ZFM, Councillor Stanley Peterson and the Municipal Manager, Mrs. Samantha Tatas-Titus.

This accolade stands as clear testimony to the collective leadership of Council in exercising effective oversight, as well as the diligence of the administration in upholding the highest financial standards. It is also an affirmation that ZF Mgcawu District Municipality remains steadfast in its commitment to service excellence and prudent financial stewardship for the benefit of our communities. The ZF Mgcawu District Municipality extends its gratitude to all Councillors, Management and staff members who continue to demonstrate resilience, discipline and unwavering dedication to building a District defined by accountability and excellence.

Today, the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality proudly participated in the nationwide Charity Drive Campaign launched by the Department of Justice.

The campaign is aimed at bringing hope to vulnerable children, including survivors of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and those in rehabilitation programmes. Through the donation of new or preloved child-friendly books and toys. In the true spirit of care and compassion, our staff dressed in colourful clothes while contributing generously by donating books, toys and sanitary products.

At ZFM District Municipality, we believe that every child deserves the gift of joy, learning and dignity. We are honoured to be part of a campaign that will change lives, restore hope and stand in solidarity with survivors of GBVF. Together, we continue to build a District where care, compassion and community stand at the centre of all we do.