A 5 Year focus: Achievements and Milestones of Langeberg Municipality

Posted: 07 October 2021

The Minister of the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, officially proclaimed the 1st of November 2021 as the day when South Africans will take to the polls to elect councils for all district, metropolitan and local municipalities in each of the country's nine provinces (Local Government Elections).

In response to this, SALGA is rolling out a Local Government Transition Campaign, which includes the following objectives:

As the 4th term of the local government administration draws to an end, some of the milestones that have been achieved by Langeberg Municipality include the following:

Service Delivery
From 1 July 2016 to 30 April 2021, the Langeberg Municipality has spent a total of R 211, 78 million to upgrade and improve infrastructure within the municipal area as follows:

• Roads R52 million
• Electricity R39,28 million
• Water R42,43 million
• Waste Management R14,91 million
• Storm Water R15,55 million
• Sewerage and Sanitation R47,55 million

Growth and Development: New serviced plots
Bulk water and electrification services installed for 505 serviced stands in Kanana, Nqkubela, to address the housing backlog of residents living in the area.

Libraries for Ashbury and Nkqubela
New and modern libraries have been built. A relaxed environment with free internet access, for reading, learning and doing school homework.

Safeguarding facilities
The Robertson Civic, Willem Thys, Barnard and Happy Valley Community Halls have been fenced. The Callie de Wet and the King Edward sports fields have been fenced. The water and sewerage installations were fenced. The Robertson Library was fenced.

New Traffic Office
A new traffic office in Ashton was built as there was a shortage of office space.

Govan Mbeki Awards 2018
The Langeberg Municipality was recognised for the outstanding performance in the delivery of the McGregor Housing Project as a category winner for the best integrated residential development programme. The project consists of 418 new housing units.

Road Infrastructure
Paving and resealing of road projects completed in all five towns; The road to Zolani Cemetery was upgraded; Reconstruction of Wolhuter street and upgrade of the bus route in Nkqubela was completed.

Storm Water System
Major upgrades to the storm water system in Bonnievale, Ashbury and Ashton were completed in various phases.

New Transfer Station
A new transfer station was built in Ashton, to ensure that solid waste continues to be managed effectively. This station is to facilitate the collection and transport of solid waste.

New Drop-off Facility
A new drop-off facility was constructed in Bonnievale for residents to conveniently drop-off household and garden waste. Households were provided with wheelie bins to promote non-littering behaviour and provide adequate means to dispose of litter.

Wastewater treatment works
Upgrade of the Wastewater Treatment Works in Montagu to increase the capacity to filter large amounts of sewerage water. New sewerage tankers have been purchased.

Water supply infrastructure
The establishment of boreholes in Montagu was a critical project to find alternative water sources. A new 3.0 mega litre reservoir in Nkqubela was built to increase the storage capacity of water for residents. The Silwertrand bulk water pipeline, was upgraded as a continued drive to replace aging infrastructure.

Disaster Management
Disaster Management was provided with life saving equipment; Informal settlements were provided with fire detection alarms; Peace Officers were trained and appointed to assist the Law Enforcement Department.

Electrical Infrastructure
Increased the networks infrastructure and capacity for new electrical connections. Some major projects include:

• Replaced an 11kv Switchgear at Ashton Main Substation.
• Installed an 11kv Switchgear at Brinks Substation.
• Re-routed the 11kv line at McGregor Sports Field.
• Replaced 66kv Transformers at the Robertson Main Substation.
• Electrification of the Bonnievale, Boekenhoutskoof area.
• Replaced and repaired streetlights.

Prestige Agri Awards
Giving recognition to Langeberg’s top agricultural workers in honour of their significant contribution to the South African economy.

New Sports Grounds
A new sports ground was built in Nkqubela. The field’s astro turf surface is the first of its kind in the municipal region; Upgrades were done to the Van Zyl street, King Edward, Happy Valley, McGregor and Zolani Sports facilities.

Special Projects
A puppet show was presented to learners at primary schools to create awareness around bullying, drug and alcohol abuse; Langeberg Kultuurkis is held annually to encourage young talent in the arts and drama sector.

Job opportunities
Local residents have received job opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) that empower them with learning new skills.

Clean Audit
Langeberg Municipality received Clean Audits from the Auditor-General. This accomplishment symbolises the municipality’s great leadership commitment to a clean administration, good governance and sound financial management.

Accessible services
A payment solution of outside vendors and online platforms was rolled out to simplify payment of accounts and buy electricity.