The Executive Mayor Cllr Lusanda Sizani
By: Kaya Mntsantsa
Engcobo
Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) has taken significant strides in transforming its socio-economic landscape through robust infrastructure development, targeted economic interventions, and community-focused service delivery, as revealed in the 2025 State of the District Address (SODA).
Addressing a packed audience of provincial dignitaries, traditional leaders, and community stakeholders, the Executive Mayor Cllr Lusanda Sizani who was in his usual element reflected on the district’s journey toward inclusive development, despite facing deep-rooted structural and financial constraints.
Significant Improvements in Basic Services
Once plagued by severe backlogs in basic services, the rural municipality has recorded noteworthy progress in water and sanitation provision. In 2012, over 76,000 households lacked access to piped water. By 2024, that figure had dropped to 41,700—a 5.9% annual decrease. Similarly, households without hygienic toilets dropped from 83,100 to 27,300, a 10.5% yearly improvement.
This turnaround has been driven by the successful implementation of legacy water projects, including the Xonxa Dam Transfer Scheme, Tsomo and Lubisi Water Treatment Works, and Gqaga electrification project. These projects collectively aim to improve water access to over 120 villages in deep rural communities.
Under the innovative “Water Tuesdays” initiative, the municipality now conducts weekly visits to water infrastructure sites to monitor progress, address service challenges, and engage communities.
Economic Growth and Investment
The district’s contribution to the Eastern Cape economy has expanded significantly. In 2024, CHDM added R45.6 billion to the provincial GDP—up from R18.9 billion in 2014—representing over 8% of the province’s GDP. Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality alone accounted for nearly half of this figure.
Agriculture, however, remains an underperforming sector, contributing just 4% to the district’s economy. To combat this, the Chris Hani Development Agency (CHDA) has championed large-scale agricultural initiatives, including the Qamata Food Aggregation and Agri-Hub, targeting over 3,000 youth through learnerships supported by the BCE Institute and UIF.
The agricultural hub will benefit from an R25 million investment, with vegetables produced on 500 hectares feeding into government supply chains, schools, and hospitals. A complementary Fertilizer Blending Plant is under development to create a closed-loop agricultural economy.
Boosting Skills and Employment
Between 2023 and 2025, the CHDA spearheaded skills development initiatives benefitting over 227 youth across all local municipalities, providing training in construction, electrical work, agriculture, and civil engineering. Over the next two years, this will scale up to reach 4,000 beneficiaries through R300 million in public-private partnerships.
Additionally, SMME support from the Office of the Premier and Department of Economic Development injected over R6 million into youth-led businesses and provided loans to small enterprises in the Enoch Mgijima area.
Infrastructure Expansion and Road Revitalization
Infrastructure development remains a cornerstone of the municipality’s agenda. Between 2021 and 2025, CHDM invested over R1.4 billion in water and sanitation projects, impacting more than 6,400 households. Refurbished wastewater treatment facilities, improved bulk water supply schemes, and new water reticulation networks have been rolled out in areas such as Emalahleni, Sakhisizwe, Intsika Yethu, and Dr AB Xuma.
The Eastern Cape Premier’s office also played a vital role, completing projects like the Fikile Gwadana Road, Greenlands Farm Route, and Msawawa’s primary relief road, collectively valued at over R90 million. These projects aim to link rural communities to industrial hubs, improving access to economic opportunities.
Further enhancing regional mobility, SANRAL committed R1.1 billion to upgrade various sections of the R61 National Route, creating jobs and capacitating local SMMEs.
Financial Management and Revenue Recovery
Despite a limited revenue base, CHDM closed the 2023/24 financial year with R4.1 billion in total revenue. The district has also seen marked improvements in grant spending, achieving 100% utilisation of conditional grants for three consecutive years. Water revenue collection rose from 11% to 30% between 2023 and 2025.
To tackle low revenue collection from households, CHDM introduced smart water meters, rolled out debt amnesty to indigent households totaling R500 million, and intensified community awareness campaigns.
The district was proud to note that it attained a funded budget status for 2025/26 and improved its audit outcomes, with more municipalities moving toward unqualified opinions.
Inclusive Participation and Youth Empowerment
CHDM continues to prioritize public accountability. Residents contributed concerns about water access, road maintenance, and youth safety, which the municipality is actively addressing. In response to a resident’s call for reviving the District AIDS Council, the Mayor confirmed plans for its reinstatement.
The municipality also celebrated outstanding achievements by local athletes, artists, and learners. Notable mentions included Big Brother finalist Uyanda Hlangabezo, rugby stars Andisa Ntsila and Yaw Penxe, and schools like Phakamani SS and Nosimo Technical for their exceptional academic performance.
Looking Ahead
Planned projects for 2025/26 include the R45 million Dordrecht bulk water supply, major upgrades to Indwe town’s sanitation, and further wastewater treatment works in Engcobo and Bushmanskrans. These projects will continue to strengthen the district’s infrastructure and improve residents’ quality of life.
In the Mayor’s words, “Despite our financial limitations, we remain a government driven by the needs of our communities. We strive to create a district that is economically competitive, socially inclusive, and environmentally sustainable.”
