Mfolozi Municipality Presents Integrated Development Plans to Sokhulu Traditional Council
The Mfolozi Municipality, led by the Honourable Mayor, Councillor Xolani Bhengu, visited the Mthiyane Traditional Council of Sokhulu on 16 September 2026 to present its Integrated Development Plans (IDP). The municipality’s plans were presented by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Timothy Biyela, who represented Mayor Bhengu at the meeting. He was accompanied by the Speaker, Councillor Mkhangezeni Mthiyane, other Honourable Councillors and municipal officials. The Deputy Mayor briefed the Traditional Council on the work carried out by the Mfolozi Municipality’s leadership since taking office in 2021. He also outlined the programmes and projects that the municipality is implementing during the current financial year through to 2027/28. Inkosi Mthiyane expressed his appreciation to the leadership of the Mfolozi Municipality for the work it has undertaken. He welcomed the visible progress in the construction and improvement of roads leading to residents’ homes, although he noted that not all areas have yet benefited. Inkosi Mthiyane also welcomed the rollout of water infrastructure but raised concerns about the lack of follow-up when residents report problems that require attention. He said that progress is evident, although services have not yet reached every area. The Inkosi further highlighted the importance of following up with beneficiaries who receive support and resources to develop their businesses, to ensure that these businesses continue to grow and become sustainable.
Thusong Service Centre Week Brings Government Services and Environmental Awareness to Mfolozi Communities
The Thusong Service Centre, which provides access to various government services in communities, joined forces with the Department of Environmental Affairs under the Mfolozi Municipality, led by the Honourable Mayor, Councillor Xolani Bhengu, on 15 September 2026. The team visited Wards 05 and 14 as part of the activities marking Thusong Service Centre Week. Staff from the Mfolozi Thusong Service Centre visited Khayalethemba Non-Profit Organisation with the aim of bringing essential services and useful information closer to the community in Ward 05. The programme brought together various stakeholders, including the Department of Social Development (DSD), Old Mutual, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the Department of Environmental Affairs within the Mfolozi Municipality, and Thuba Agribusiness. Old Mutual provided financial education to senior citizens, highlighting the importance of managing money responsibly and preparing a budget before receiving an income. This enables people to plan for their needs, avoid unnecessary spending, and make better financial decisions. Senior citizens also benefited from various items, including walking sticks, umbrellas and blankets. The programme then proceeded to Ward 06 in Mzingazi, where the focus was on promoting cleanliness and encouraging residents to keep their surroundings clean. The Mfolozi Municipality was joined by Eskom-NTCSA, disaster management officials from KCDM, and representatives from the Departments of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, as well as Old Mutual. The campaign focused on raising awareness among community members about the importance of caring for their surroundings and disposing of waste responsibly. Community members were urged to take action and speak out when they see people disposing of waste improperly. It was emphasised that keeping the environment clean is everyone’s responsibility. Residents were therefore encouraged to work together with the municipality in combating illegal dumping and ensuring the creation of a clean and healthy environment.
uMfolozi Mayor Unveils Plans for Othini Community Hall and 100 Toilets
uMfolozi Municipality Honourable Mayor, Councillor Xolani Bhengu, accompanied by honourable councillors, introduced the contractor who will construct the Othini Community Hall in Ward 17, under the Mthiyane Traditional Authority in Mambuka. The new hall will include an office for inkosi, allowing community members to access assistance closer to home. It will also provide a suitable venue for the traditional leader to hold community meetings. Mayor Bhengu also announced plans for the construction of 100 toilets by King Cetshwayo District Muninicipality in the ward. He stressed that the 100 toilets are only the beginning, adding that the municipality aims to prioritise households that have not yet benefited from such services. The meeting was attended by Inkosi uMthiyane, members of the traditional council and community members. The traditional council expressed its appreciation to Mayor Bhengu for the development projects announced and extended its gratitude on behalf of Mthiyane Traditional Authority and the wider community. Inkosi Mthiyane called for cooperation throughout the construction process, particularly where temporary employment opportunities are concerned, saying that disagreements should not lead to conflict. He also urged community members to protect the new hall once it has been completed, emphasising that it belongs to the community. He appealed to residents not to damage public property when they have disagreements with the traditional leadership, but instead to seek peaceful ways of resolving their concerns.
Mfolozi Mayor Highlights Continued Community Development Projects
The Honourable Mayor of the Mfolozi Local Municipality, Councillor Xolani Bhengu, says community development will continue, ensuring that those who take office after the upcoming elections will find projects already underway. The Mayor said this during his visit to two wards on 10 September 2026. In Ward 14, he officiated the sod-turning ceremony for the Nsimbini Access Road, while in Ward 03 he officiated the sod-turning ceremony for the Nontuli Access Road. He also officially handed over the Ndlabeyilandula Access Road and a High Mast Light to the community. The event was attended by Honourable Councillors, municipal employees led by the Director of Technical Services, Dr Soni, traditional leaders and members of the community. The Mayor explained that as the roads are constructed, local residents are expected to benefit from employment opportunities created by the projects. He added that individuals who are not currently benefiting from such opportunities will also be identified. The Mayor also extended a helping hand to an elderly resident from Ward 14 after noticing that the resident’s spectacles were no longer in good condition. He offered to assist by purchasing a new pair of spectacles for him. The Mayor said the gesture formed part of the celebration of his birthday.
uMfolozi Municipality and Mthethwa Traditional Council Strengthen Cooperation on Development Plans
uMfolozi Municipality Honourable Mayor, Councillor Xolani Bhengu, accompanied by Speaker Councillor Mkhangezeni Mthiyane and fellow councillors, on 9 September 2026, presented integrated development plans to the Mthethwa Traditional Council in Dondotha. The meeting brought together King Mthethwa, traditional leaders, members of the Traditional Council, municipal managers and staff, led by the Director of Technical Services, Dr Manqoba Soni. Discussions focused on development plans for the wards falling under the Mthethwa traditional authority. The King encouraged greater cooperation, particularly between councillors and traditional leaders. He emphasised that the responsibility of councillors and the municipality is to deliver development to communities, stressing that collaboration is essential to ensuring that this is achieved effectively. Mayor Bhengu briefed the Traditional Council on the progress made since the current leadership took office. He explained that although the municipality is approaching elections, development programmes will not come to a standstill and will continue. Mayor Bhengu also presented the development programmes planned for the current financial year, highlighting that work to improve communities remains ongoing. He echoed King Mthethwa’s call for councillors and traditional leaders to work together in addressing the needs and priorities of the community. Members of the Traditional Council were given an opportunity to ask questions, make recommendations and provide updates on development projects that are still behind schedule. Traditional leaders also raised concerns about roads that become difficult or impassable during periods of heavy rain.
Injabulo ngethuthuko elethwe uMasipala waseMfolozi ku-ward 09
Kube yinjabulo emphakathini waku ward 09 kuMasipala waseMfolozi oholwa uMhlonishwa iMeya wakuMasipala waseMfolozi uKhansela uXolani Bhengu ngesikhathi kudluliswa umgwaqo uMtinya Access Road nelambu, ihigh mast light namuhla mhlaka 09 September 2026. Emhlanganweni obusehhlolo lomphakathi eDondotha, kuphinde kwethula usonkontileka ozokwakha iBhekinhlanhla Creche ku kuyo le ward. Abakwa-IEC abebeyingxenye yomhlangano bafundise umphakathi ngokumele bakuqikelele uma sekuvotwa. Imeya uBhengu ubonge abantu bakule ward ngokubekezela ngesikhathi besafake izicelo zale ntuthuko njengoba kade isizokwethulwa.
Injabulo kuhlatshwa isoyi lomgwaqo eFuyeni
Kuqhume umkikizo eFuyeni ku-ward 12 ngaphansi kukaMasipala waseMfolozi oholwa uMhlonishwa iMeya uKhansela uXolani Bhengu ngesikhathi lo masipala wethula ukwakhiwa komgwaqo iNhlangwini Access Road wethula ne-High Mast Light namuhla mhlaka 04 September 2026. IMeya uBhengu obuye abe ngukhansela kule ward ubehambisana noSomlomo uKhansela uMkhangezeni Mthiyane, abahlonishwa amakhansela, izimenenja nabasebenzi beholwa uMqondisi wakwaTechnical Services uDr Manqoba Soni. IMeya uBhengu uthe abakulethile kuyisicelo esaphuma kuwo umphakathi kunomhlangano. Uveze ukuthi intuthuko yinto elekelela abantu abaningi isikhathi eside yingakho uma ubheka eMfolozi izicelo eziningi nezinhlelo eziningi abazidlulisele emphakathini imigwaqo.
Injabulo uMasipala waseMfolozi wethula izinhlelo zentuthuko ku-ward 01
Kube nenhlokomo kwaqhuma ihlombe ngesikhathi uMhlonishwa iMeya yoMasipala waseMfolozi uKhansela uXolani Bhengu edlulisa umgwaqo iTshwilitshwili Access Road emphakathini waku ward 01 KwaSokhulu, waphinde wahlaba isoyi lomgwaqo ozokwakhiwa iThukwini Access Road namuhla ngoLwesine mhlaka 3 September 2026. Umhlonishwa uBhengu ubehambisana nabahlonishwa amakhansela, uMqondisi wakwaTechnical services uDr Manqoba Soni, izimenenja nabasebenzi. Bekukhona nabenhlangano eyengamele ukhetho (IEC), izinduna kanye nomphakathi. Ubongele abantu bakwaSokhulu ngesishabasheki esibakhongela intuthuko ukhansela uMaKhumalo Cele. Ubongele lo mphakathi ngomsebenzi wokwakhiwa kwe we-Satellite Police Station esiqaliwe ukwakhiwa njengoba umphakathi usuzothola ukusizakala eduze. Ube esethula nosonkontileka abazokwakha umgwaqo uThukwini Access Road. Abakwa IEC bagqugquzele umphakathi ngosuku lomhlaka 4 November wabachazela kanye nosuku lokubhalisela ukuvota okuyipesheli kulabo abagulayo, abadala kanye nabangeke befinyelele ezikhungweni zokuvota ngosuku luka wonke wonke.
uMfolozi Municipality Hands Over Road, High Mast Lights and Renovated Sport Facility to Communities
The Honourable Mayor of uMfolozi Local Municipality, Councillor Xolani Bhengu, on 02 September 2026, handed over the Khumalo Access Road as well as High Mast Lights in Mphathiswano and Sabhuza communities. Mayor Bhengu also proceeded to Ward 11, where he handed over a refurbished Mawombe Sports Field to the community. The sport field was installed with a new perimeter fence. He also handed over a High Mast Light in the same ward. Mayor Bhengu was accompanied by councillors, the Director of Technical Services, Dr Manqoba Soni, managers, and municipal employees. He encouraged communities to develop a culture of congratulating those who have already received the development they had requested, as this is a sign that development will eventually reach other areas as well. Mayor Bhengu said that the projects he was handing over form part of the municipality’s ongoing development programme and are initiatives that have been implemented annually. Officials from the IEC explained to attendees what they can expect during the upcoming elections. They explained that there will be a white ballot paper for voting for a councillor, a yellow ballot paper for voting for a political party in the municipality, and a green ballot paper for voting for a political party in the district council. They further explained that special voting will take place on 2 and 3 November 2026 for eligible voters, including those who are ill and those unable to travel to voting stations. Applications for special votes may be submitted between 21 September and 12 October 2026, either online or at IEC offices. The general election will take place on 4 November 2026.
uMfolozi Municipality Marks the End of Women’s Month with a Celebration of Women
The uMfolozi Local Municipality, led by the Honourable Mayor, Councillor Xolani Bhengu, today, 31 August 2026, celebrated Women’s Month with female councillors, female employees, and women serving on ward committees as the municipality marked the conclusion of Women’s Month. During the event, various stakeholders, including the South African Police Service, Social Development, and Health officials, provided guidance to women employed by the municipality on self-care and informed them about the support services and departments available to assist them when facing challenges. Pastor Lungi M, who was the guest speaker of the day, emphasised the importance of self-love and self-confidence among women. The Honourable Mayor expressed his appreciation to the municipality’s female employees, stating that they remain valuable not only during Women’s Month but throughout the year. Mayor Bhengu and the Municipal Manager, Mr Fred Mazibuko, also thanked all the women who participated in the event by presenting them with gifts.