The Joe Gqabi District Municipality (JGDM) successfully convened its Fourth Ordinary Council Meeting today, marking the final sitting of the 2025 calendar year and officially ushering Council into recess until 15 January 2026.
The meeting focused on critical service delivery imperatives, governance oversight, and long-term district development planning. The sitting adopted several significant resolutions aimed at strengthening service delivery, enhancing land management, and charting a unified development path for the district.
In her address, the Executive Mayor described 2025 as a year defined by “resilience, collaboration and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the people of Joe Gqabi.” She highlighted several key achievements across governance, infrastructure and basic services, including 100% expenditure of the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) Grant, a 47% expenditure of the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) at end November, surpassing the Division of Revenue Act(DoRA) target of 45%, with intensified efforts underway to reach the 60% Resource Allocation System (RAS) target.
Furthermore, she highlighted significant progress made by the institution on Water Treatment Works refurbishments in Maclear, Ugie, Barkly East, Lady Grey and other towns – improving reliability and water quality.The Executive Mayor mentioned the appointment of contractors for Phase 2 of the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG)-funded Sterkspruit Waste Water Project, as well as the attainment of water quality compliance above 90% across most systems throughout the year, among this year’s achievements.
Key Resolutions adopted by Council
1. Status of Tracked Council Resolutions
Council noted progress on the implementation of resolutions across directorates for the second quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year, reaffirming its commitment to continuous oversight and accountability.
2. Outspans: Approval of Future Land Use Recommendations
Council received the report on the current status of outspans owned by JGDM and approved
recommendations that:
All four outspans be valued prior to transfer or disposal.
Given their underdeveloped state, the outspans be disposed of or transferred.
Current informal users who expressed no objection to vacating and requested first right of refusal be considered during future processes.
3. Endorsement of the Reviewed District Development Model (DDM) One Plan Council endorsed the reviewed JGDM DDM One Plan, a long-term planning instrument aligning all spheres of government behind a coordinated approach to development, service delivery, and economic growth. This endorsement paves the way for submission to local municipalities for concurrent endorsement and subsequent submission to the Provincial Executive Council (PEC) and ultimately the National Cabinet for adoption.
4. Approval of In-Committee Items
Council approved resolutions arising from its In-Committee deliberations, ensuring that sensitive matters discussed in closed session acquire full legal standing as Council resolutions.
5. Report on Resolutions Taken by the Executive Mayor and Mayoral Committee Council noted and approved the resolutions taken by the Executive Mayor and the Mayoral Committee.
Council noted and approved the resolutions taken by the Executive Mayor and the Mayoral Committee during the 2025 cycle, as required by Section 63 of the Municipal Systems Act.
Presiding over the last meeting of 2025, the Speaker, Councillor Mzukhona Bomela, emphasised the importance of robust governance and year-end reflection. “This sitting marks not only the conclusion of our official business for 2025, but also a reaffirmation of this Council’s commitment to accountability, oversight, and responsive governance. The resolutions we adopted today lay thegroundwork for accelerated service delivery as we enter the new year,” said the Speaker.
Both the Speaker and Executive Mayor reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to ethical leadership, improved service delivery and transparent governance.“Our goal is to build a municipality that our residents can trust,” said the Executive Mayor, adding that 2026 must prioritise water and sanitation upgrades, financial sustainability, and deepened district–local coordination.
The Executive Mayor, Cllr Nomvuyo Mposelwa, highlighted the strategic importance of the decisions, particularly the endorsement of the DDM One Plan and the outspans land-use resolutions.
“The Council’s decisions today strengthen our long-term development vision and ensure that our district continues to build a foundation for inclusive growth. By endorsing the reviewed DDM One Plan, we are aligning Joe Gqabi with national planning directives while addressing the real service delivery needs of our communities. We look forward to returning in 2026 with renewed energy to serve our people,” expressed the Executive Mayor.
Council now officially enters recess and will resume its duties on 15 January 2026. Administrative functions of the Municipality continue uninterrupted during this period.
