Today the Okhahlamba Local Municipality held its third Imbizo in Newstand, a traditional South African gathering designed to promote community engagement and knowledge sharing. This event brought together residents from various wards, offering them the opportunity to engage directly with key government departments and agencies.

The primary goal of the forum was to enhance communication between citizens and essential public services. The participating organisations included:

1. Department of Home Affairs  

2. Department of Social Development  

3. South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)  

4. Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)

This initiative aimed to improve access to critical services and information, helping to create a more connected, informed, and empowered community within the Okhahlamba municipality.

In a powerful display of community support, the Okhahlamba Local Municipality Youth Office organised a special prayer session today for matriculants on the brink of their life-changing final examinations. This event, held just 19 days before the commencement of the crucial matric finals on 21 October, underscores the profound significance these exams hold for the future of our young scholars.

The gathering brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including religious leaders, local government officials, educators, and the matriculants themselves. Pastor Maphalala and Bishop Gabela led the prayers, infusing the session with spiritual guidance and encouragement. His Worship, the Mayor, Cllr. V.R Mlotshwa, Deputy Mayor, Cllr. N.E. Tshabalala, and Speaker, Cllr. S.Z Khumalo highlighted the community’s united front in supporting these young minds during this critical juncture in their academic journey.

The matric final examinations represent a watershed moment in the lives of these students, serving as a gateway to their future aspirations and careers. Recognising the weight of this occasion, principals and teachers from various schools across the municipality attended the event, some offering words of motivation and support to the nervous yet determined matriculants.

As these young learners stand on the precipice of this monumental challenge, the Okhahlamba Local Municipality extends its heartfelt wishes for success to all matriculants. We acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and resilience that have brought them to this point, and we have full confidence in their ability to excel.

To our dear matriculants: As you enter the examination halls, know that your community stands behind you, cheering you on. May you approach these finals with confidence, clarity of mind, and the determination to showcase your best efforts. Remember, these exams are not just a test of knowledge, but an opportunity to open doors to your dreams.

We wish you strength, focus, and brilliance throughout this exam season. Your success is our success, and we eagerly await the bright futures that await you beyond these final papers. Good luck, and may you emerge victorious in this significant milestone of your educational journey!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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The Okhahlamba Local Municipality recently hosted its second imbizo, a traditional South African gathering focused on knowledge sharing and community engagement. Held in Emmaus, this event brought together over 300 residents from various wards, facilitating direct interaction with key government departments and agencies.

The forum’s primary objective was to bridge the gap between citizens and essential public services. Participating organisations included:

1. Department of Home Affairs

2. Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

3. Department of Social Development

4. South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)

5. South African Police Services (SAPS)

6. Various municipal departments

This initiative aimed to improve access to vital services and information, fostering a more connected and informed community within the Okhahlamba municipality.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Okhahlamba Local Municipality marked Women’s Month with a colorful Phinifa and Doek Day celebration on Thursday. The event commenced with a poignant prayer and candle-lighting vigil honouring victims of gender-based violence, followed by an energetic fashion show and certificate awarding ceremony to graduates of The Women’s Skills Development programme.

The gathering featured empowering messages from key government entities and organisations, including the KZN Departments of Social Development and Sports, Arts and Culture, as well as the Gabriel Foundation. These addresses focused on educating and empowering young women, with various government departments offering their services throughout the event.

Deputy Mayor Cllr. N.E Tshabalala delivered an inspiring message of hope to the attendees. She addressed critical issues such as the feminisation of poverty, HIV/AIDS prevention, gender equality, and the pressing concerns of gender-based violence and teenage pregnancy. Cllr. Tshabalala reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to improving the lives of young women in the community.

The event saw impressive community participation, with attendees adhering to the dress code. The municipality expressed gratitude for the strong turnout and extended thanks to all stakeholders and government departments for their invaluable support and educational contributions.

Imeya kamaspala uKhahlamba uMnuz Vikizitha Mlotshwa utshele abezindaba ukuthi banezingxoxo nomunye umnikazi we Plazi elise duze nedolobha ngenhloso yokuthi alidayisele umaspala wasoKhahlamba.

Uthi inhloso yokuthenga leli Plazi ukwakha kabusha idolobha lase Bergville libe sezingeni lamadolobha amakhulu asesifundazweni sakwaZulu-Natal.

Uthi uyajabula ngoba nendawo yokusebenza yosomabhizinisi abancane yase Bergville isiphelile abanye bayasebenza kuyo manje futhi isezingeni eliphezulu.

UMlotshwa uthi usengalala nobuthongo uma kungaba nedolobha elisha e Bergville elihlelikile isifiso sakhe leso.

UMlotshwa ukusho lokho njengoba bekulalelwa isicelo sebheyili sika Mnuz Mlungisi Hlongwane osolwa ngokudlwengula indodakazi yakhe eyiNkosi yesifazane yesizwe samaNgwane inkosi uNontobeko Hlongwane.

UMlotshwa uthi kumele kube nesithangami samadoda ase Bergville ukuze kukhuzwe umkhokha ohlasele amadoda eBergville adlwengula abasifazane nezingane.

In a bid to enhance the operational efficiency of the Okhahlamba Municipality, a comprehensive two-day Strategic Planning session was convened at the Alpine Heath Resort from 18 to 19 April, 2024.

During these sessions, the council and municipal officials engaged in robust discussions covering various critical aspects. Topics ranged from formulating policies and strategies for the upcoming financial year to addressing service delivery bottlenecks identified through the IDP/Budget Roadshow process, alongside reviewing the draft budget. Additionally, presentations were delivered by key stakeholders to enrich the deliberations. The session was facilitated by Mr. Eric Sithole of Nsikayezwe Management Consultants.

His Worship, Mayor V.R. Mlotshwa underscored the importance of establishing strategic alliances to propel the municipality forward, ensuring the realisation of its strategic objectives aimed at uplifting the lives of its citizens. He also stressed the significance of upholding the municipality’s clean audit status as a pivotal priority.

The overarching goal of these sessions is to enhance the municipality’s performance by prioritising community needs and effectively allocating resources within the constraints of the municipality’s budget.

The council, alongside stakeholders and municipal officials, reaffirmed their unwavering dedication to collaborating synergistically despite the escalating economic challenges, both locally and globally.

Happy Easter!

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome all our tourists visiting the area, and welcome back home people that have traveled to be with their families.

Please travel safely if you’re traveling and maintain the rules of the road.

Our Essential and Emergency services will be operational throughout this Easter Weekend.

If any assistance is required, please call our Emergency Control Centre hotline on: 0800 111 455.