The Joe Gqabi District Municipality (JGDM’s) annual Integrated Development Planning (IDP) Mayoral Outreach programme kicked off at the Walter Sisulu Local Municipality (WSLM) in Venterstad on Friday (12 September 2025).
The IDP Outreach programme provides a platform for interaction with communities, discussion on key
service delivery highlights of the district and engagement on plans that will inform the budget for the
next financial year (2025/26). In her presentation to the Venterstad community, the JGDM Executive Mayor, Councillor (Cllr) Nomvuyo Mposelwa, gave an extensive update on six (6) water and sanitation infrastructure projects within the WSLM, which have an estimated value of R26 million.
She explained that these projects address water treatment, sanitation and bulk infrastructure
development, and emphasized that; “these are aimed at improving service delivery, addressing aging
systems and supporting community growth and employment”.
Mposelwa stated that R7 million has been spent on the successful rehabilitation of Burgersdorp’s
sanitation infrastructure to combat the challenges of sewer spillages and pollution of river sources.
She pleaded with the community to safeguard municipal infrastructure, citing rising vandalism of the
same infrastructure that was recently refurbished in Burgersdorp.
A budget of R3 million has been approved for the Aliwal North Water Treatment Works Holding Dams,
which aims to ensure reliable water supply, particularly during periods of drought and high demand,
said Mposelwa.
Other projects in Maletswai include the initiation of the Asbestos Pipe Replacement, focusing on
replacing asbestos water pipelines to reduce water losses and improve water quality, and Bulk Water
Infrastructure for Housing Development to support new housing developments and therefore
improvement of living conditions.
Mposelwa said that the Jamestown Bucket Eradication and Sanitation project is nearing completion,
with all pump stations operational, representing a major achievement in the quality of sanitation in the
area.
The Executive Mayor said a budget of approximately R9.3 million has been allocated for the
Development of Oviston Oxidation Ponds Wastewater Treatment System and the Development of the
Venterstad Ponds Wastewater Treatment System to improve waste management and environmental
compliance.
Projects in the pipeline for outer years include a Rehabilitation of the Burgersdorp Sanitation
Infrastructure, Upgrading of the Maletswai Wastewater Treatment Works and Sewer Replacement.
Issues raised by residents included lack of employment opportunities, phase two of the upgrading of
the Venterstad sports facility and inconsistencies in general labour recruitment processes.
Ward 1 resident, Mthandazo Ntshinga, highlighted the issue of old infrastructure – noting that “the
ongoing projects to fix the infrastructure will assist greatly in the provision of constant water supply”.
Nombulelo Nkofu from Ward 10 stressed the importance of streetlights and employment opportunities
in her area, stating that “ward councillors must prioritise the employment of residents”.
Mposelwa said that going forward, the municipality would intensify community engagements to ensure
that no stakeholder is left behind. She explained that monitoring and evaluation would be enhanced to
ensure effective implementation of the institution’s service delivery mandate. She added that open
and timeous communication would be prioritised to ensure efficiency and transparency.
Mposelwa warned against the prevailing vandalism of municipal infrastructure – encouraging residents
to report culprits that sabotage the progress of development. In addition, she highlighted that the
municipality’s Suppliers’ Day campaign is ongoing as a concerted effort to capacitate local SMMEs
with the tendering process and compliance so that they can participate in procurement opportunities
advertised by the municipality.
The next IDP and Budget Outreach will take place in the Elundini Local Municipality (Nqanqarhu) on
the 17th of September. The date for the Senqu Local Municipality meeting will be communicated in
due course.
