uMfolozi Municipality Extends a Helping Hand to a Bereaved Family
The Honourable Mayor of uMfolozi Municipality, Councillor Xolani Bhengu, together with the Municipal Manager, Mr Fred Mazibuko, fulfilled a promise made to the Mnyango family of Cinci in Ward 11 by providing assistance after the family tragically lost six members. They handed over a cow, mobile toilets, and groceries to the family. Mayor Bhengu comforted the family, assuring them that the municipality would continue to support them during this difficult time.
uMfolozi and King Cetshwayo Municipalities Unite in Support of Bereaved Family in Ward 11
The leadership of uMfolozi Local Municipality, led by the Honourable Mayor, Councillor Xolani Bhengu, together with the leadership of King Cetshwayo District Municipality, led by the Honourable Mayor, Councillor Sikhumbuzo Dlamini, visited the Mnyango family in Ward 11, Cinci on Monday, 02 February 2026.. The family lost six members in a tragic accident involving a motor vehicle and a truck that occurred on the N2 near Mtubatuba on Friday. The leaders, accompanied by Honourable Councillors, local priests, and the Municipal Manager of uMfolozi Local Municipality, Mr Fred Mazibuko, conveyed their words of condolences to the family and expressed their deep sorrow over the incident. The leaders stated that they had come to offer their support, encourage the family, and assured them that assistance would be provided during this difficult time. The family expressed their gratitude for the visit and support shown by the leadership during this painful period. The family indicated that they had lost the mother of the household and her three generations. The funeral service will be held on Sunday.
uMfolozi Municipality Honours Top Matric Achievers
The Mayor of uMfolozi Municipality, Councillor Xolani Bhengu, praised learners from schools under the uMfolozi Municipality who performed well in last year’s matric examinations. The top ten learners were awarded at the Matric Excellence Awards ceremony held at Mbonambi Town Hall today, 27 January 2026. During the ceremony, ten top-performing schools were also awarded, along with three schools that showed significant improvement. Principals from all uMfolozi high schools attended the event, as well as Member of Parliament Hon. Nhlanhla Hadebe, councillors, education officials, parents, and municipal staff led by the Municipal Manager, Mr Fred Mazibuko, together with representatives from various municipal committees. Learners received certificates, trophies, R1 500 vouchers, and laptops. The overall top learner received a cash prize of R10 000, the second-placed learner received R5 000, and the third-placed learner received R3 000. Mayor Bhengu encouraged schools to share strategies for improving academic results so that all schools within the uMfolozi Municipality can perform well. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between schools and communities in ensuring that schools are safe. Honourable Hadebe applauded the Class of 2025 for their outstanding results and expressed hope that the Class of 2026 will continue this strong performance. He further encouraged other municipalities to work closely with schools in fostering partnerships that support learners and help them succeed.
uMfolozi Municipality Launches Back-to-School Campaign
The leadership of uMfolozi Local Municipality, led by His Worship the Mayor, Councillor Xolani Bhengu, has encouraged learners at Khanyiselisizwe High School in KwaMendu to continue striving for excellence, following the school’s achievement of a 100% matric pass rate in the previous academic year. Mayor Bhengu, accompanied by councillors and the Municipal Manager, Mr Fred Mazibuko, visited the school to officially launch the municipality’s Back-to-School support campaign as the 2026 teaching and learning programme gets underway. During the visit, the Mayor congratulated departmental subject advisors, the school principal, educators, and the School Governing Body for their outstanding performance. The Mayor reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to supporting schools across uMfolozi wherever possible, as part of its contribution towards improving the quality of education. He further announced that the programme introduced this year to assist learners awaiting their matric results—by providing newspapers in secure locations—will be continued. This initiative responds to the reality that many communities within uMfolozi are located far from fuel stations and newspaper outlets. As part of the visit, Mayor Bhengu presented learning materials to the learners and committed the municipality to installing a high-mast light outside the school to enhance learner safety during evening study hours. The school principal, Ms Thobile Magwaza, expressed her appreciation to the uMfolozi Municipality leadership for their continued support and for maintaining a close relationship with the school throughout the year.
Heritage Commemoration of King Cetshwayo kaMpande
The Honourable Mayor of uMfolozi Local Municipality, Cllr Xolani Bhengu, was part of the heritage commemoration event of King Cetshwayo kaMpande. The event began at Port Dunford – ‘Esikhaleni seNkosi’, and proceeded to Eshowe at kwaGqikazi, where the King passed away. The event was attended by members of the Royal Family, traditional leaders from the Royal Household, and regimental coordinators led by Prince Thulani of eZibindini; the MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture, Honourable Mntomuhle Khawula; the Mayor of King Cetshwayo District Municipality, Cllr Sikhumbuzo Dlamini; the Mayor of uMlalazi Local Municipality, Cllr QT Xulu; councillors; as well as representatives from the KwaZulu-Natal Amafa Institute. The programme concluded at the Fort Nongqayi Museum Village, where honoured guests and leaders conducted a walkabout inside the facility, touring the premises and engaging closely with the rich historical exhibitions on display.
uMfolozi Leaders Supported Matric Class of 2025 and Distributed Newspapers for Results
As the uMfolozi community awaited the release of the 2025 matric results, the Honourable Mayor Cllr Xolani Bhengu, councillors, education officials and various non-profit organisations came together to motivate and support matric learners across the municipality. Mayor Bhengu, accompanied by the Speaker of Council, Cllr Mkhangezeni Mthiyane, and the Whip, Cllr Celimpilo Makhunga, visited learners in Dondotha, Mzingazi and Sokhulu to offer guidance and reassurance during this critical period. During the engagements, Mayor Bhengu emphasized the importance of perseverance and resilience, particularly for learners who were preparing to further their studies at institutions of higher learning. He encouraged learners to remain positive about their future and highlighted education as a key driver of personal and community development. The Mayor also reassured learners who were concerned about their performance, urging those who did not achieve the results they had hoped for not to lose hope. He explained that several opportunities existed for learners to improve their matric results, including supplementary programmes, re-writing examinations, and enrolling in technical and skills-based courses. Officials from the Department of Education also participated in the engagements, where they outlined various post-matric support programmes, including career guidance services, bursary opportunities, and access to higher education institutions. Community organisations reaffirmed their commitment to supporting learners and ensuring that all young people were given opportunities to succeed. The engagements conveyed a strong message of unity, hope and shared responsibility for the development of young people in uMfolozi. Learners and parents were reminded that matric results did not define one’s future, and that setbacks could be used as a steppingstone towards success.
Mayor Bhengu Leads Festive Season Roadblock Operation to Promote Safer Roads
The Honourable Mayor of uMfolozi Municipality, Cllr Xolani Bhengu, delivered a strong message of road safety, tolerance and mutual respect during a roadblock operation held on the N2 near Mbonambi on Thursday, 04 December 2025. The roadblock was organised by the uMfolozi Municipal Traffic Unit in partnership with various stakeholders, including Mbonambi SAPS, traffic officers from Empangeni and Mtubatuba, the Santaco’s Hlokomela, and the uMfolozi Fire Department. Mayor Bhengu was accompanied by councillors and departmental managers, led by the Municipal Manager, Mr Fred Mazibuko. During the operation, officials inspected the road worthiness of vehicles, checked the validity of driving licenses, verified the presence and condition of fire extinguishers for goods and passenger transport vehicles, and conducted several other safety assessments. Mayor Bhengu urged drivers to respect road rules and exercise patience towards one another to help prevent the Christmas-season accidents commonly referred to as “festive fatalities”. He emphasized that the holiday period should be a time of joy, family gatherings and celebration, not a time of loss and mourning caused by road accidents. He wished all drivers and passengers a safe and peaceful festive season.
UMfolozi Municipality Supports Farmers with Training
Farmers from Bhiliya in Ward 17 under uMfolozi Municipality, led by the Honourable Mayor Councillor Xolani Bhengu, returned home with vaccines, dipping chemicals, spraying equipment, and feed supplements after attending a farmers’ forum held on Thursday, 04 December 2025. The forum, organised by the uMfolozi Department of Local Economic Development (LED), was attended by local farmers, the ward’s acting councillor and Speaker of Council, Cllr Mkhangezeni Mthiyane, various councillors, Municipal Manager Mr Fred Mazibuko, and municipal staff. Dr. Mondli Ngcamu from TWK Agri provided farmers with training and information on proper livestock care. Mayor Bhengu emphasized the importance of farmers receiving this knowledge, explaining that the municipality invited a veterinary expert because livestock is a valuable economic asset. Cllr Mthiyane reassured the farmers that, as their acting ward councillor, he is present and attentive to the community challenges, and that efforts are underway to address these issues in collaboration with various departments.
Umfolozi Ward 17 Farmers Trained on Livestock Health and Management
The Mfolozi Municipality, led by Honourable Mayor Councillor Xolani Bhengu, hosted a farmers’ forum on Sunday, 30 November 2025, where livestock farmers from Ward 17 in Magwetshana dip, were equipped with knowledge on the importance of livestock and proper animal care.The session was attended by Mayor Bhengu, Speaker and acting Ward Councillor Mkhangezeni Mthiyane, Deputy Mayor Councillor Timothy Biyela, councilors, officials from uMfolozi LED office, Dr Ngcamu from TKW, local izinduna, and livestock farmers. Dr Ngcamu provided detailed education on livestock management and its significance. Farmers also had an opportunity to ask questions about various livestock-related challenges. The local induna Makhanya expressed appreciation for the initiative, emphasising that owning livestock without knowledge is unhelpful, as animals eventually suffer due to poor management. Mayor Bhengu highlighted that the strength of many households’ economies lies in the kraal, taking proper care of livestock is essential. The Municipality further supported farmers with dipping treatment and tick-spray medication.
Ntuthunga Shop Owners Encouraged to Register Legal Trading Permits
Shop owners in Ntuthunga, ward 13 under the Mfolozi Municipality, were encouraged to register for legal trading permits to operate within the law on the 26th of November 2025 during a business compliance blitz. This initiative formed part of a campaign to ensure that businesses comply with trading regulations. The campaign included participation from the uMfolozi Local Economic Development (LED) office, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Customs, SAPS, the King Cetshwayo Environmental Health Department, the uMfolozi Fire and Traffic Departments. Shop owners were advised not to sell expired food or illegal products. Deputy Mayor Councillor Timothy Biyela commended the Ntuthunga business owners for managing their shops and not renting them out, highlighting that their efforts help sustain the local economy and prevent it from shifting to other areas.