MIDDELBURG — Nkangala District Municipality Executive Mayor Thomas Ngwenya says a significant portion of the

municipal budget will be allocated to water initiatives across the district.

Speaking to the Highveld Chronicle during the municipality’s Draft Budget Indaba held on Thursday, 09 April 2026,

Ngwenya said the draft budget highlights ongoing water challenges in eMalahleni, Thembisile Hani and Dr JS Moroka local

municipalities.

The draft budget, presented by Acting Chief Financial Officer Alice Stander, forms part of the 2026/27 Medium Term

Revenue and Expenditure Framework (MTREF) and was approved on 25 March 2026. Community outreach programmes,

covering all six municipalities, will commence on 17 April, with final approval scheduled for 27 May.

Ngwenya said once the process is finalised, the municipality will be able to clearly outline key priorities raised by

communities. However, water challenges remain the primary concern.

“We are already aware that water is the main challenge in the district. Many residents frequently experience water shortages.

Communities in eMalahleni, Thembisile Hani and Dr JS Moroka are facing a water crisis. We will return to communities to

confirm whether this remains the top priority. This indicates that a significant portion of our budget will be directed towards

addressing water challenges,” he said.

Looking ahead to the 2026/27 financial year, the municipality plans to collect R728 million, a decrease from the R781

million projected for the 2025/26 financial year. Revenue is projected at R621 million for 2027/28 and R686 million for

2028/29.

Operational expenditure is set at R671 million for the current financial year, with projections of R536 million and R626

million for the following two years.

In terms of funding from provincial and national government, eMalahleni is set to receive R48 million in the current

financial year, with no allocations projected for the following two years. Emakhazeni will receive R300 000, while Steve

Tshwete has no allocation for the current and upcoming financial years.

Thembisile Hani is expected to receive R213 million, R131 million and R198 million over the three-year period. Victor

Khanye will receive R13 million in the current financial year, with no further allocations projected. Dr JS Moroka is

allocated R900 000 this year, followed by R10 million in each of the next two financial years.

The district municipality itself is projected to receive R32 million in 2026/27, with further allocations of R18 million and

R16 million for the 2027/28 and 2028/29 financial years respectively.

Ngwenya has called on residents across the six municipalities in Nkangala District to participate in the upcoming community

outreach programmes.

“Our outreach programmes will move from one municipality to another, where we will present the draft budget and

departmental plans to communities. This is an opportunity for residents to understand the plans and contribute their views.

Public participation is essential, as guided by Section 152(1)(c) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, which

promotes community involvement in local government,” he said.