The Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM), in collaboration with the Lekwa Local Municipality, succesfully hosted the District Mayoral Imbizo on Friday, 16th May 2025 at Sakhile Stadium in Standerton. The event, led by GSDM Executive Mayor Cllr. Walter Mngomezulu together with Lekwa Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr. Sifiso Mngemezulu, drew a large and enthusiastic crowd of residents, civic leaders, and stakeholders. It served as a vital platform for strengthening participatory democracy, fostering community engagement and addressing key service delivery issues particularly those related to water and sanitation infrastructure.
Importantly, the imbizo gave residents an opportunity to voice their concerns directly to leadership and these inputs were noted and acknowledged by officials for follow up. The event was warmly received by the community, creating a sense of hope and reassurance that longstanding water challenges in the municipality would be addressed.
District Executive Mayor Cllr. Walter Mngomezulu stated: “This Imbizo is not just about hearing our communities but showing them, the tangible steps taken to ensure sustainable service delivery starting with water and sanitation.”
Lekwa Executive Mayor, Cllr. Sifiso Mngemezulu said the Imbizo was significate in addressing wide range of pressing matters, with particular focus on service delivery issues.
“The Imbizo provided a valuable platform for engagement with the people of Lekwa and will play a crucial role in strengthening our Rapid Service Delivery Programme. Through this initiative, we are committed to accelerating the pace and efficiency of delivery essential services to our residents,” he stated.