The KwaZulu-Natal delegates to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) commended the uMngeni and Richmond local municipalities for securing public-private partnerships to develop public infrastructure and for ensuring projects are completed on time.
The delegation expressed this sentiment on the second day of the NCOP’s Provincial Week programme in the province during a visit to the Howick taxi rank and the adjacent Ithala shopping centre. They are being refurbished after the municipality secured the R30 million required for the project by working with the private sector.
Speaking to the NCOP delegation, uMngeni municipality Mayor Chris Pappas told the NCOP MPs and members of the provincial legislature (MPLs) that the redevelopment of the uMngeni taxi rank is the cornerstone of the Ithala rejuvenation strategy, which seeks to restore order, drive foot traffic and create a modern commuter gateway. “Crucially, this expansion is underpinned by the tripartite partnership between Sivusa Retail, the uMngeni municipality and the uMngeni taxi association to ensure that the rejuvenated taxi rank is not only an infrastructure project but a sustainable community-centred development,” said Mayor Pappas.
On the third day of the programme during a visit to the Richmond Local Municipality, the MPs were also pleased that the municipality had completed the Siyathuthuka/Magoda main road. The municipal manager, Mr Bheki Mswane, also briefed the NCOP delegation about the road’s role as a critical link for residents in the Greater Indaleni area and the Siyathuthuka, Indalani and Magoda communities. He added that the road was previously in poor condition, which affected mobility and economic activity in the area.
Mr Mswane also mentioned that the 1,5-kilometer road took the municipality nine months to complete at a cost of R13,996,172, with community spin-offs through appointing three locally based companies and creating 13 jobs. It has also improved access, reduced vehicle maintenance and enhanced connectivity.
Richmond Mayor Melikhaya Ngcongo, who was also part of the meeting, took the opportunity to show the delegation other recently completed projects. One of these was the Sheti bridge and upgrading of the greater Indaleni passage because after the 2021 flood disaster in the area, the bridge and the road connecting greater Indaleni and Richmond were at risk of collapse. This project cost R21,645,603 and brought community benefits such as the appointment of three local companies, the creation of 16 jobs and disaster risk reduction, among other things.
He also mentioned the upgrading of stormwater infrastructure and the road from Khetho to Mjintini. According to Mayor Ngcongo, this project was implemented to mitigate the impact of recurring flooding due to inadequate drainage infrastructure in the Indaleni area. This project cost R29,099,135.81, which was spent on 2,1 kilometers of tared surface road and 3,6 kilometers of stormwater pipes. It took the municipality 18 months to complete, creating 35 local jobs and awarding contracts to eight local companies.
MPs and MPLs described these successful projects as pockets of excellence that should be emulated by other municipalities in the uMgugundlovu district and other municipalities in KZN.
Temba Gubula
21 November 2025
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