Deputy Minister engages ZFM as DDM Political Principal
On Monday, 30 March 2026, the Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy, Ms Samantha Graham-Maré, in her capacity as the District Development Model (DDM) Political Principal of the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, held an engagement meeting with political and administrative leadership across the district as part of a two-day oversight and support visit. Over the course of the visit, the Deputy Minister received a comprehensive report from each local municipality within the district.
These reports outlined the work currently being undertaken, key successes achieved and the challenges being experienced by municipalities. Importantly, the discussions did not only focus on the implementation of the District Development Model, but also on how the Deputy Minister and national government can assist the district in addressing service delivery challenges being experienced on the ground.
As part of the programme, the Deputy Minister also conducted site visits to various projects that are currently underway, as well as projects planned for future implementation. These included the Kameelmond Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Upington Energy Park and the upgrading of the Upington North Bulk Supply Station, among others. These projects are critical to strengthening infrastructure, improving energy security, and supporting economic growth and investment within the district.
The Executive Mayor of the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, Cllr Maryna Basson, reiterated the importance of integrated planning and cooperation between all spheres of government, the private sector and communities. She emphasised that only through working together in a coordinated and integrated manner can opportunities for growth, investment and development be realised across the district. This engagement provided the Deputy Minister with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the realities within the ZF Mgcawu District, including the vast distances between towns, ongoing infrastructure challenges, energy needs, economic opportunities and the day-to-day challenges faced by municipalities. The Deputy Minister closed off the two-day engagement by emphasising that the collective goal of all spheres of government must always be to ensure the delivery of fast, effective and reliable services to the people of the ZF Mgcawu District.
