Durban, South Africa – 26 March 2025 – The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) last night hosted the highly successful 2025 Municipal Excellence Awards at the Greyville Convention Centre in Durban. The event, spearheaded by MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, celebrated municipalities across the province that have demonstrated exceptional performance and commitment to service delivery.
The awards recognised achievements in various categories, including good governance, audit outcomes, best Integrated Development Plan, and cleanest town/city. The event served as a platform to highlight best practices and inspire all municipalities to strive for higher standards in serving their communities and fostering an environment conducive to investment.
Umlalazi Local Municipality was awarded R500,000 for achieving the title of the cleanest town in KwaZulu-Natal, demonstrating their dedication to environmental stewardship and community well-being.
The prestigious overall winner, the City of Umhlathuze, received a prize of R1,000,000, acknowledging their comprehensive excellence in municipal governance and service delivery.
In his remarks, MEC Buthelezi emphasised the importance of municipal services, stating, “Tonight, we recognise the tireless efforts of those who work daily to ensure that our communities receive the basic services they deserve: water, electricity, sanitation, and roads. These are not just amenities; they are the foundation of human dignity and progress.”
In his keynote address Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli emphasised that these awards recognise innovation, dedication, and excellence in local governance. He reiterated the importance of municipalities ensuring effective service delivery and upholding transparency and accountability.
“These awards shine a spotlight on municipalities that go above and beyond in serving their communities. It is through collaboration, dedication, and unwavering commitment that we see such excellence in governance. Municipalities must continue to work diligently to provide quality services and improve the lives of all residents in KwaZulu-Natal,” said Premier Ntuli.
The Premier encouraged all municipalities to draw inspiration from this recognition and redouble their efforts in delivering efficient, transparent, and accountable governance that prioritises service delivery. He also acknowledged the resilience of municipalities in overcoming challenges, including climate change-related disasters, and urged them to continue fostering partnerships between government, traditional leaders, businesses, and communities.
The 2025 Municipal Excellence Awards successfully underscored the importance of effective local governance and service delivery, celebrating the municipalities that are making a tangible difference in the lives of KwaZulu-Natal residents.
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