10-07-2025
Mopani budgets R2.7bn for service delivery
PHALABORWA – The Mopani District Municipality (MDM) has approved a total budget of R2.728 billion for the 2025/26 financial year.
This was revealed by MDM Mayor Pule Shayi during his State of the District Address (Soda), held at the Mopani TVET College in Phalaborwa on Friday, July 4.
Shayi stated that R1.868 billion, or 68% of the overall budget, has been allocated to the operational budget. A further R638 million, making up 23.39% of the total, has been set aside for capital projects.
Additionally, 2.79% of the budget will go toward servicing historical debt owed to Lepelle Northern Water and the Department of Water and Sanitation.
Highlighting the district's priorities, Shayi emphasised that water infrastructure remains central to MDM's development agenda. He reaffirmed the municipality's commitment to ongoing investment in this area and provided an update on the Lulekani Water Scheme Project in Ba-Phalaborwa.
Phase 1 of the project, which focuses on communities in Ward 3 (Benfarm) and Ward 15 (Bico), is now 96% complete. It has so far created 60 job opportunities and supported 20 small businesses.
Phase 2A, serving Humulani in Ward 13, is 99% complete, having created 29 jobs and benefited 12 small enterprises.
Phase 2B, also in Humulani, is 95% complete and includes borehole development, equipment installation, electrification, a package plant, and the construction of an elevated steel tank.
Meanwhile, Phase 2C in Kurhula, also in Ward 13, has reached 98% completion. This phase has generated 50 jobs and supported 13 local enterprises.
Looking ahead, the municipality plans to continue the Lulekani Water Scheme Project in Benfarm during the next financial year, with a budget of R43.7 million allocated for its implementation.
The mayor also gave a brief overview of projects taking place in the district's other four local municipalities: Giyani, Tzaneen, Letaba, and Maruleng.
Before beginning his address, Shayi took a moment to acknowledge Phalaborwa United Football Club, which recently won the district play-off.
The team will now move on to the provincial play-offs, where they will compete for promotion to the second division.
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