Greyville Convention Centre, Durban – 25 March 2025
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government hosted a prestigious Municipal Excellence Awards ceremony, where Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli delivered heartfelt closing remarks recognising the outstanding achievements of municipalities across the province.
Held at the Greyville Convention Centre, the event served as a powerful celebration of innovation, clean governance, resilience, and collaborative leadership in local government. Premier Ntuli lauded the strides made in service delivery, financial management, and climate resilience, emphasising the vital role municipalities play in improving the lives of KZN’s citizens.
“Municipalities are the backbone of our communities,” Premier Ntuli stated. “Tonight, we celebrate not only their excellence but their commitment to unity, transparency, and progress.”
The Premier highlighted the success of the District Development Model (DDM), which fosters a united government approach under the ONE-PLAN-ONE-BUDGET framework. He praised the remarkable increase in clean audits, noting that 86 cents of every rand spent in the province is now accounted for in clean or unqualified audit environments—an achievement that underscores the hard work of mayors, Municipal Managers (MMs), and Chief Financial Officers (CFOs).
Addressing the audience, which included mayors, councillors, traditional leaders, and government stakeholders, Premier Ntuli also reflected on the challenges faced during recent climate-related disasters. He expressed admiration for the courage and commitment of municipal officials who worked tirelessly during flood emergencies.
“Our resilience has been tested by floods and climate change, but we have emerged stronger, guided by the dedication of local government officials who serve our people with honour,” he said.
Traditional leadership was another focal point of the Premier’s address. He emphasised the importance of integrating traditional leaders into governance structures to foster community cohesion and inclusivity.
“We must harness the power of traditional leadership to promote unity and self-reliance. This aligns with the vision of uMntwana waka-Phindangene—a KwaZulu-Natal built on pride, dignity, and service,” Ntuli affirmed.
The evening culminated with warm congratulations extended to all nominees and winners. Premier Ntuli encouraged continued collaboration across all sectors to build a resilient, inclusive, and service-driven KwaZulu-Natal.
“This is an era of new hope,” he concluded. “Let us move forward together to inspire a province that leads by example—where communities thrive, governance is responsive, and every citizen can dream of a better tomorrow.”