The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Western Cape delegation concluded its three-day 2026 Provincial Week programme in the Garden Route District Municipality on 20 August 2026.
The delegation engaged with provincial departments, the Auditor-General’s provincial office, the South African Local Government Association and various local municipalities to receive feedback and assess progress in implementing the 2025 Provincial Week recommendations. The programme aimed to strengthen local government service delivery and address persistent governance and infrastructure challenges.
The programme included briefing sessions with the MEC for Infrastructure, mayors, councillors and municipal managers, as well as site visits across the Garden Route District’s local municipalities, including Bitou, George, Knysna and Hessequa. The delegation acknowledged progress in most municipalities in implementing the previous year’s recommendations.
The delegation visited several key service delivery and infrastructure projects, including GO George, to assess progress with the integrated public transport system; the Rosedale Housing Project in Pacaltsdorp, George; the Fisher Haven Pump Station and Marlin Road; the Sanlam Nekkies N2 area and Charles Ford Pump Station in Knysna; and the Municipal Energy Plant and related energy resilience and renewable energy infrastructure at Hessequa Local Municipality in Riversdale.
GO George
GO George is George Municipality’s Integrated Public Transport Network, aimed at improving mobility across the municipal area. The delegation was informed that the service improves access to employment, education, healthcare, municipal services and other socio-economic opportunities, particularly for commuters from previously underserved communities.
According to the municipality, the system continues to contribute to affordable, reliable and safer public transport, with high levels of commuter satisfaction and improved connectivity between communities.
The delegation recommended sustained engagement between GO George, the taxi industry and all spheres of government to address route overlap, competition concerns, the integration of operators into the formal system, and the long-term viability and expansion of the service. It urged the municipality to engage urgently with the Western Cape Mobility Department and the National Department of Transport to resolve these issues.
Rosedale Housing Project
The Syferfontein Erf 325 (Rosedale) catalytic housing project is a joint initiative of the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure/Human Settlements and George Municipality. The mixed-use development comprises Breaking New Ground, First Home Financing and units for military veterans, providing 2 098 residential opportunities.
The delegation was informed that 1 644 serviced sites have been completed, while the final units of the 217-house Erf 325 East (Phase B3) development were handed over to beneficiaries in January 2026. In addition, 36 specialised accessible units for persons with disabilities have been completed and handed over, while 30 of the 41 targeted Integrated Residential Development Programme units for military veterans have been completed and occupied.
The delegation heard of several challenges, including contractor terminations, the incorporation of the re-occupation of informal settlements into the project and vandalism of sections nearing completion. Delays have also resulted from protracted legal challenges and the need to reappoint contractors following contract terminations.
The delegation also raised concerns about the apparent lack of clarity regarding how completed units were vandalised while a security company was responsible for safeguarding them. It further noted uncertainty around the municipal housing waiting list. While the municipality estimates the list at 20 000 households, this figure excludes many residents living in backyard dwellings, including households that do not qualify under outdated income thresholds but have subsequently moved into backyard accommodation.
The delegation recommended that all spheres of government and relevant stakeholders work together to accelerate the development of additional housing opportunities in George, particularly for residents who do not qualify under current social housing criteria.
It further recommended that the municipality reconsider building-plan regulations governing backyard structures to avoid further disadvantaging backyard dwellers. It also called for continued policy development and stronger planning alignment across national, provincial and local government to ensure that health, education, commercial and retail facilities are delivered alongside housing developments.
Fisher Haven Pump Station and Marlin Road
At the Fisher Haven Pump Station and Marlin Road, the delegation welcomed reports of improved functioning of the wastewater treatment works and measures implemented to repair and upgrade critical infrastructure.
However, it was informed of continued vandalism, ongoing sewerage spills and challenges in filling senior management vacancies. The delegation expressed concern about the number of vacancies and urged the municipality to intensify efforts to appoint suitably qualified officials. It also called for urgent intervention from the National Department of Water and Sanitation and National Treasury.
Sanlam Nekkies N2 Informal Settlement
The Sanlam Nekkies N2 informal settlement was among the new sites assessed during the 2026 Provincial Week programme and was not part of the 2025 recommendations.
Located along the N2, the site comprises municipal land and an adjoining portion owned by the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL). Sanlam donated the land to a non-profit organisation, which previously managed the area before vacating it. The site subsequently became neglected and was occupied by informal dwellers.
The delegation heard that the area is situated along river banks and is highly susceptible to flooding, making it unsafe and unsuitable for residential occupation. The municipality is engaging with SANRAL on the possible acquisition of the adjoining land, which is zoned for business development, and has initiated an open tender process to attract development proposals.
Charles Ford Pump Station
The Charles Ford Pump Station was also not part of the 2025 Provincial Week recommendations but is relevant to the water emergency resolutions adopted last year.
The pump station underwent emergency refurbishment following critical mechanical and electrical failures that reduced pumping reliability and system redundancy. This followed the failure of a duty pump in March 2025 at a station that supplies almost all of Knysna Municipality’s raw water.
The refurbishment is intended to restore standby pump redundancy and strengthen the system’s ability to replenish Akkerkloof Dam. Together with Knysna’s reservoirs at full capacity, this provides the municipality with only a limited storage buffer.
The delegation recommended that the relevant spheres of government and responsible departments fast-track the planning, authorisation and construction of the new dam and put interim contingency measures in place, given that current storage remains well below a safe margin.
It also advised the municipality to prioritise consequence management and community engagement to improve revenue collection, supported by a monitored turnaround plan, and to address recurring findings raised by the Auditor-General.
Hessequa Energy Project
The final site visited was the Municipal Energy Plant and its energy resilience, renewable energy and infrastructure innovation initiatives at Hessequa Municipality. This was another new site included in the 2026 Provincial Week programme and was presented as an example of how municipalities can pursue local energy security.
Delegation members generally supported the solar power project but questioned how local labour, students, young people and small businesses would benefit beyond the construction phase. They also raised concerns about the potential risk of increased costs for poorer households to fund future maintenance and repairs.
The municipality explained that revenue generated from feeding electricity into the grid, savings from using its own generation capacity and income from electricity sales would be ring-fenced for electricity services. This would include funding scheduled maintenance and upgrades without relying on increases in municipal rates.
Sustained implementation required
While acknowledging improvements, including better audit outcomes, steps towards political stabilisation and action plans implemented under Section 154 support, the delegation stressed that these gains must translate into consistent execution.
It called for stronger consequence management and sustained commitment from municipalities and other spheres of government to address long-standing infrastructure and governance weaknesses, particularly those arising from previous political instability.
The delegation emphasised that the development and implementation of action plans must be accompanied by measurable results, accountability and continued oversight to ensure that improvements in municipal governance translate into tangible and sustained improvements in service delivery.
Manelisi Ntsodo
25 August 2026
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