MAYOR ANNOUNCES R1,1 BILLION BUDGET DURING THULAMELA SOMA 2025
THULAMELA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY: STATE OF THE MUNICIPAL ADDRESS 2025/2026, BY MAYOR CLLR A.S RAMBUDA, 20 JUNE 2025, GEORGE PHADAGI TOWN HALL AT 12H00
This year marks the 49th anniversary of the 16June 1976, Soweto Uprising and was celebrated under the theme: “Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation through Technology and Partnership”
We are here today to deliver the state of the municipal address for 2025/2026 financial year. Let me extend my gratitude to the institution of higher learning our partners in development, University of Venda and Vhembe TVET College. Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.
Having an education puts us in the best place to have a secured future for ourselves. We can think outside the box to come up with productive ideas which can do us good. Vhanwe vha divhi vha manwalo vha ri “Muthu a sa vhali u a vhala-vhala” Dr. Ntavhanyeni Phaswana”.
We bow our heads in tribute to: Our struggle icon and a freedom fighter, Dr. Tshenuwani Farisani. “Extraordinary man, who led an extraordinary life “said, President Cyril Ramaphosa during the funeral on the 7th of June 2025.
Lance Corporal Rinae Nemavhulani: South African soldiers who were part of a mission to bring peace in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Victims of gender-based violence. Mafhungo a tevhelaho ndi masinda-mbilu.
“Thohoyandou police station has earned the grim distraction of being ranked number one in South Africa for reported rape and sexual offences.
A devastating milestone that has triggered outrage, concern and urgent calls for intervention from activists, community leaders, Vho-Thovhele and politicians” Haya mafhungo a toda uri ri farisane ri lwe na dambi lo ri welaho. Ri rothe ri do kunda. Fhatuwani Mudzulapo wa fhano Thohoyandou uri” Let the chairperson of the Justice Portfolio Committee come to Thohoyandou and see this mess. This is no longer a backlog -it is a breeding ground for predators.”
Thohoyandou tops the provincial list for contact crimes with 743 reported cases from January to May 2025. Fhano Thulamela ri na vhaswa vhane, vho dzhia maga a u lwa na vhutshinyi ha u tambudzwa ha Vhafumakadzi, Vhaswa na Vhaholefhali:
Murangi Maxwel Ndou – o di funga a reila basigiri u bva fhano Limpopo u ya Western Cape. Mudzulapo wa Ward 04 Thengwe (Tshithuthuni) April 2025. Pfano Ungedzani o di funga a gidima u bva Pretoria u swika fhano Thohoyandou Thavhani Mall. Mudzulapo wa Ward 09 Tshidzini May-June 2025.
Let me also take this opportunity to congratulate Thulamela Traffic Division Top official: Manager Registration and Licensing Mr. Zacharia Nesane for been appointed as 1st Vice President of the Institute of Traffic, Licensing and Metro Police Officer of Southern Africa – ITLMPOSA-(SADC). Those are our champions for 2025. Khari vha tikedze kha u lwa na zwiito zwa u tambudzwa ha Vhafumakadzi, Vhana na Vhaholefhali
We want a municipality in which everyone is safe.Thulamela stand for peace and justice.We stand for democracy and compassion.We stand for equal rights for women, for persons with disability and for children’s. So, this afternoon Madam speaker, let us speak of the municipality we want.
And let us speak of the work we must do- and the work we are doing. The council of Thulamela Municipality took a resolutions that are hereunder:
Above all: Thulamela Municipality first! Clean Audit first! Service delivery first! Collection of revenue first!
Furthermore, on the 30th of May 2025, the council took a resolution to enhance the following policies: Tariff policy Credit control and debt collection policy Budget policy Indigent subsidy policy Property rates policy
This will lead Thulamela Municipality to obtain clean Audit in the next financial year. Working together we can do more! To undertake this task, we need a municipality that works for the people . We need a municipality that is capable and competent, underpinned by professional public service. Thulamela municipality should treats all people with dignity, humility and respect. Our Councillors are more than ready to serve our communities with complete dedication and our public servants are ethical, skilled and properly qualified. OUR MOTTO SAYS: WE SERVE WITH DEDICATION
We will continue to work with traditional leaders, pastor’s forum, youth and people living with disabilities in the implementation of Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for 2025/2026 financial year. We will expand our support to traditional leaders that require assistance drawing on the lessons of District Development Model (DDM).
We are seeing great progress as we implement Integrated Development Planning, which enables all key role players in government departments, business, labour and community-based organizations to work together. We want municipality with a thriving economy that benefit all.
BUDGET OVERVIEW 2025/2026 FINANCIAL YEAR. Fellow Councillors, I present to this council the 2025/2026 financial year Budget In terms of the Municipal Finance Act (Act 56, of 2003).
Without any further ado, allow me to present to this esteemed house through some key highlights from our 2025/2026 budget. For the 2025/2026 financial year, Thulamela Local Municipality presents:
Our Total budget for 2025/2026 financial year is R 1.1 billion. Money allocated for Service delivery is R 204. 1 million. Our communities deserve better quality services. Operating Budget for 2025/2026 financial year: R955.2 million. Our Revenue collection: Stands at 45%. Equitable share allocation: R624.8 million. MIG Allocation: R 138.7 million. EPWP Allocation: R3.8 million.
I am pleased to announce to you that we have budgeted the following amount for our key departments. Budget for Corporate services: R 146.0 million. Budget for Community services: R 154.7 million. Treasury and Finance: R95.0 thousands. Technical service: R330.9 million. Planning & Development: R77.4 thousands. Budget for Executive Council: R152.8 million
The budget tabled today was influenced by the current challenges faced by our communities and the opportunities we foresee in order to build a better tomorrow. The high unemployment rate within our communities, lack of sustainable services, the growing allocation of residential sites in almost all our villages which need roads infrastructure, water and electricity. The above-mentioned challenges need all of us to work together.
Fellow Councillors, the budget process is also guided by National Treasury Circulars for all municipalities to conform to sections in the MFMA (Municipal Finance Management Act)
The budget summary is illustrated as follows: Tariffs generally increased by 4.3% as per MFMA Circular No: 130 except in cases where cost benefit analysis and consumer affordability have been applied. Salaries and Wages increased by 5.1% as per collective bargaining agreement. The remuneration for Councilors has increased by 5.1%, while awaiting the Upper Limits Gazette.
Provisions increased from R86 million to R90 million, and inverse relationship with the payment rate which has remained constant while debtors increase. Depreciation is the requirement of GRAP presentation in respect of assets. It has been provided for R86 million in 2025/2026 financial year, minor increase for additions/unbundled assets. Furthermore, general expenditure has decreased for operational efficiency and cost containment measures. Repairs and Maintenance has increased to R83 million and includes re-gravelling of streets, rehabilitation of streets, electricity, Machinery and equipment etc.
The capital budget for 2025/2026 financial year has decreased by R6 million (3% decrease) compared to what was budgeted for in 2024/2025 financial year, not a significant/material change.
Total capital budget will be funded as follows:
| Source of Fund | Draft 2025/2026 | Draft 2026/2027 | Draft 2027/2028 |
| MUNICIPAL Infrastructure Grant | 132 776 000 | 128 456 000 | 137 735 000 |
| Neighborhood Development Grant | 2 100 000 | 0 | 0 |
| ISDG | 100 000 | 150 000 | 150 000 |
| Own funding | 49 361 128 | 45 881 536 | 48 838 004 |
| TOTAL | 184 337 128 | 174 487 536 | 186 723 004 |
CAPITAL PROJECT ROADS AND STORM WATER
Let me take this opportunity to report on the Capital Project status and update. I am happy to announce that previous financial year we completed the following projects: Tshilamba Street Phase 3 in Ward 03: R69 517 808.8 Thohoyandou K&K Portion Maniini Street in Ward 41: R93 480 059.98
CAPITAL PROJECT UNDER CONSTRUCTION
The following Project are under construction.
| PROJECT NAME | AMOUNT | PROGRESS |
| Ha-Makhuvha Ring Road (MIG) in Ward 25 & 29 | R108 417 807.45 | 75% completed. |
| Upgrading of internal streets from gravel to paving (R293) towns (OWN) Thohoyandou Unit K to L Streets in Ward 41. | R38 828 963.25 | 83% Physically completed. |
| Mapate Access Road (MIG) in Ward 34. | R123 268 480.12 | Site Hand Over was conducted on 29 April 2025. Work commenced on the 13th of May 2025. Currently at 4 % progress. |
| Lwamondo Territorial Council Access Road (MIG in Ward 34. | R113 408 189.87 | Site Hand Over was conducted on 29 April 2025. Work commenced on the 13th of May 2025. Currently at 3,5 % progress. |
| UIF to Shell Garage in Ward 22. | R25 000 000.00 (2023/24) R16 000 000.00 (2024/25) | Three contractors are on site. Currently 97% progress. |
OTHER COMPLETED PROJECT ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Tshiulungoma Demarcation fence in Ward (20). Mutale Hall Paving in (Ward 03). Thulamela Municipality head office clear view in (Ward 22). Rehabilitation of street -Hollywood to Sibasa Road in Ward (17 & 21). Tshikombani Traffic Station in Ward (27, 28 & 32). Makonde Stadium Boundary Wall in Ward (Ward 10). Mbaleni Cemetery Boundary Wall in Ward (17). Tshilamba Arts & Culture Center (Ward 03) 95% To be completed by the end of June 2025.
INEP 2024/2025 ELECRIFICATION PROJECT The previous financial year Electricity project are as follows: Ha-Luvhimbi Electrification 81 Units: 99% Construction busy handing over to Eskom and Snag list. Tshilavulu Electrification 148 Units: Completed and energized. Munangwe Electrification 83 Units :99% Construction busy handing over to Eskom and Snag list. Khubvi Electrification 163 Units: 99% Construction busy handing over to Eskom and Snag list. Ha- Makhuvha Electrification 82 Units: 99% Construction busy handing over to Eskom and Snag list.
Working together with social partners we will finish this work. We want a municipality where there is work. Where every person can earn a decent living and realize their potential. Where the rights of workers are protected and working conditions improved. We need to ensure that growth creates jobs, especially for young people.
The tourism sector is growing rapidly in our municipality with fifty tourists visited our municipality last year. A good story to tell.
Areas of attraction are: Lake Fundzudzi Makuya Park Thavhani Mall Thohoyandou Botanical Garden Nandoni Dam Hotel and Lodges
We want a municipality, where no one goes hungry. Since the dawn of democracy, we have worked together to reduce poverty. Today we have employed 1619 EPWP. Through this Programmes, we are alleviating the worst effect on poverty. But we have to do much more to end poverty. We must do much more to ensure that women in particular no longer face a hopeless struggle to feed and clothe their childre To ensure that the economy has the skills it needs Vhembe TVET College and the University of Venda are next door to increase the production of artisans.
This is the part of the shift we are undertaking towards education and skills development that combine formal learning with job training. Fellow Councillors, all of these things that we speak today are possible. Let us speak of the pride we have for our municipality and for all that we have achieved. Let us speak of the determination that won us freedom and that drives us towards now to a municipality.
With this determination, we will work together to make this an era of growth, progress and transformation. We will work together to build the municipality that works for all. In conclusion, Madam speaker, transformation in Thulamela belongs to all of us. The private sector, communities, traditional leaders, and civil society must work together as co-owners of this municipality. We call on investors to seize the vast opportunities we are unlocking. We urge our youth who are working elsewhere to come back home to bring their skills, network and investment back to build Thulamela Municipality of our dreams.
Let’s grow Thulamela together. Together with our communities behind us, we will deliver on the promise of a better life for all. Let’s move Thulamela forward and vison 2030 status. I urge our Councillors to work together with our communities and all stakeholders.
