Deputy Minister Gina calls for urgent implementation of uMkhanyakude One Plan

The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Nomalungelo Gina, has called for urgent and coordinated implementation of the District Development Model (DDM) in the uMkhanyakude District Municipality to accelerate service delivery, unlock investment and create jobs in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

 

Speaking at the Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) DDM Political Hub engagement in eMkuze yesterday, Deputy Minister Gina who is the DDM Champion for the region, urged all spheres of government, public entities and development partners to work with greater urgency to finalise the review and implement a focused One Plan One Budget that responds directly to the district’s most pressing development priorities.

 

uMkhanyakude is the second-largest district in KwaZulu-Natal, and shares borders with Mozambique, Eswatini and Mpumalanga province. With a population of more than 700 000 people, according to Census 2022, the district continues to face serious development challenges, including cross-border crime, ageing water infrastructure, illegal water connections and unreliable water supply affecting about 40% of the population.

 

Thus, the quarterly political hub is intended to strengthen intergovernmental coordination, consolidate planning and fast-track catalytic projects that can improve basic services, crowd in investment and support inclusive economic growth across the district.

 

Hosted by the District Mayor, Mr Siphile Mdaka, at Ghost Mountain Inn, the engagement noted progress since the previous virtual hub, including ongoing challenges including enhancing good governance and accountability in the municipal administration.

 

The meeting was attended by Big 5 Hlabisa Local Municipality Mayor Themba Khumalo; Inkosi Mtubatuba Municipality Mayor, Cllr Mxolisi Mthethwa; and officials from national, provincial and local government. Eskom and the South African National Roads Agency Limited also provided updates on progress, implementation challenges and areas requiring further coordination.

 

“We now need to move with speed in driving key strategic and catalytic projects for uMkhanyakude District. I commit that this DDM is going to function, and we will make it deliver for the people of uMkhanyakude,” said Deputy Minister Gina.

 

Deputy Minister Gina emphasised that the District One Plan One Budget must identify the lead department, responsible agencies and spheres of government accountable for implementation, while matters requiring intergovernmental intervention must be clearly flagged so that political champions can help unblock delays.

 

She further called for a decision-matrix dashboard to strengthen monitoring and evaluation of priority projects, saying the Hub must have a clear line of sight on progress, responsibilities, timelines and implementation challenges. This, she said, would improve accountability and enable faster intervention where delivery is delayed.

 

Highlighting the importance of infrastructure and other catalytic projects, Deputy Minister Gina said these interventions were essential for creating jobs, attracting investment and improving long-term development prospects in the district.

 

She said infrastructure capacity, project execution and institutional competence were critical indicators of a municipality’s ability to deliver services, attract investors and improve the lives of residents.

 

“All of us must have a clear imagination of what uMkhanyakude can look like in a decade if all identified projects are successfully implemented in each local municipality. It is this spirit of building for the next generation that must ignite our collective commitment to deliver a better uMkhanyakude,” she said.

 

Deputy Minister Gina said the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) would continue to promote the use of science, technology and innovation to strengthen evidence-based decision-making in the region.

 

“The Department will thus lead a process to identify innovative solutions to improve socio-economic transformation of the district,” she said.

 

The engagement received updates on several priority projects at different stages of implementation. These include the Mosvold Hospital staff housing development, budgeted at R359 million, which is 48% complete and has created employment opportunities for local residents.

 

Other projects include the Manguzi Hospital upgrade, valued at R110 million, which is in the planning and reporting phase, and the Mtubatuba Community Health Centre, budgeted at R550 million, which has reached conceptual design stage, with approvals expected soon.

 

The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster outlined the Jersey Barriers project as a key infrastructure intervention aimed at combating cross-border vehicle in uMkhanyakude.

 

The Jersy Barriers are physical wall structures designed to prevent vehicles stolen in South Africa from being moved across the border into Mozambique. Installation is being coordinated at the Manguzi/Mozambique border and has reached 40% completion.

 

Cllr Mdaka said protecting communities and securing the borders was non-negotiable. “The Jersey Barriers project demonstrates how coordinated government action can deliver practical solutions to crime. We remain committed to supporting all initiatives that safeguard residents and properties in uMkhanyakude,” said the Mayor.

 

He said the DDM was bigger than a government programme. “It is about government working with the private sector, with the intention of ensuring that every partner understands what others are doing and where collaboration is required.”

 

Mayor Mdaka also highlighted development opportunities in agriculture, tourism and cross-border trade routes involving Mozambique and Eswatini, saying all these should reduce the high unemployment rate in the region.

 

The meeting concluded with a call on all partners to translate the commitments of the Hub into measurable action. Communities must see visible progress from the DDM through improved services, completed projects and expanded economic opportunities.

 

ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, TECHNLOGY AND INNOVATION

 

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