MESSAGE OF SUPPORT BY REV. THULASIZWE BUTHELEZI DURING THE CITY OF UMHLATHUZE GALA DINNER CELEBRATING THE 11TH CONSECUTIVE CLEAN AUDIT ACHIEVEMENT
EMPANGENI CIVIC HALL
20 February 2026
Programme Director;
Ngikhuleke eMakhosini aseNdlunkulu;
Abantwana baseNdlunkulu bonke abakhona phakathi kwethu;
Premier of our Province, Honourable Thamsanqa Ntuli;
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Honourable Velenkosini Hlabisa;
His Worship, the Mayor of King Cetshwayo District Municipality, Cllr Dlamini;
His Worship, the Mayor of the City of uMhlathuze, Cllr Xolani Ngwezi;
Deputy Mayor, Cllr Botha;
Speaker, Cllr Seze;
Members of the Executive Committee;
Members of the MPAC;
All Councillors of the City of uMhlathuze;
Izinduna zamakhosi;
Senior Management of the City of uMhlathuze;
Representatives of the Ratepayers’ Associations;
Representatives from faith-based organisations;
Leaders of the Business Community;
All political parties present;
Members of the media;
Distinguished Guests;
Good evening.
Programme Director, allow me to express my sincere appreciation to the Mayor of the City of uMhlathuze, Councillor Ngwezi, and the entire leadership team, under the stewardship of the City Manager, for inviting us as the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. We regard this occasion not merely as a celebration, but as a benchmark for municipalities across our province.
Achieving eleven consecutive clean audits is an exceptional accomplishment. A clean audit affirms that a municipality’s financial statements are credible and reliable; that internal controls are effective; that oversight is exercised diligently; and that consequence management is implemented where necessary. In essence, it reflects sound governance and institutional maturity.
As the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, our central objective in the local government sphere is to strengthen public confidence through transparency, ethical leadership, and accountability. The City of uMhlathuze’s consistency over the past decade significantly advances this objective. Such sustained performance does not occur by chance; it is the result of deliberate leadership, disciplined financial management, capable administration, and an entrenched culture of accountability.
Receiving a clean audit once is commendable. Sustaining it for eleven consecutive years positions this municipality among the leading institutions not only in KwaZulu-Natal but nationally.
We are mindful that several municipalities in our province have, in past years, struggled to attain clean audit outcomes, with some receiving repeated disclaimers. In addition, there were instances where municipalities failed to fully spend their Municipal Infrastructure Grant allocations on critical bulk infrastructure projects such as water and roads. The return of unspent funds to the National Treasury represents a missed opportunity to deliver essential services to communities who need them most.
In response, we have engaged mayors directly and made it unequivocally clear that no municipality in KwaZulu-Natal should fail to utilise funds allocated for service delivery. As a department, we intensified support interventions, deploying technical teams to municipalities experiencing planning and implementation challenges to ensure effective expenditure and improved governance outcomes.
The performance of the City of uMhlathuze strengthens the standing of KwaZulu-Natal nationally. At the National Good Governance Awards, conferred by Honourable Hlabisa, our province secured thirteen awards—many of them for clean audits—including recognition for uMhlathuze. Notably, Ulundi Municipality was nationally acknowledged for consistently spending 100% of its conditional grants over a five-year period.
The Cape Winelands District Municipality in the Western Cape was honoured for achieving eleven consecutive clean audits. Today, uMhlathuze has matched that milestone and continues to build upon it.
As we look ahead, we carry the responsibility to surpass the thirteen awards previously achieved at the National Good Governance Awards. Based on the continued progress we are witnessing here, I am confident that this target is attainable.
It is important to emphasise that clean audits are not an end in themselves. They are instruments of public trust. They signify that every rand collected from ratepayers and allocated by government is accounted for and directed toward improving the lives of our people.
When communities learn that their municipality has obtained a clean audit, it reinforces confidence in local government. It assures residents that their municipality is stable, accountable, and focused on development. At a time when public trust must be continually earned, achievements of this nature help restore faith in our institutions.
This moment calls to mind the words of the late Founder and President Emeritus of the Inkatha Freedom Party, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who reminded us that:
“Leadership is not about position, but about responsibility. It is about serving with integrity and ensuring that what is entrusted to you is protected for future generations.”
The City of uMhlathuze has established a standard worthy of emulation. While many municipalities across KwaZulu-Natal are working diligently to improve their audit outcomes—and we acknowledge their progress—tonight uMhlathuze stands as tangible proof that excellence in municipal governance is achievable, sustainable, and replicable.
To the Mayor, Councillor Ngwezi; the City Manager; senior management; councillors; and every official who has contributed to this milestone—this achievement belongs to you. It reflects political stability, administrative competence, and a shared commitment to ethical governance.
As KZN COGTA, we remain steadfast in our commitment to support municipalities throughout the province in attaining similar outcomes. We will continue strengthening oversight, building institutional capacity, and ensuring adherence to legislative prescripts. We also look to leading municipalities such as uMhlathuze to mentor and inspire others within the local government sphere.
Ngiyathokoza
