Richmond | uMgungundlovu District | 4 March 2026 - KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli together with Members of the Provincial Cabinet led the Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) outreach programme in the uMgungundlovu District Municipality on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.

The engagement took place at the Richmond Primary School Sports Field in the Richmond Local Municipality and brought together provincial and local government leaders to engage directly with communities on service delivery challenges and development priorities.

Bringing Government Closer to Communities

Operation Sukuma Sakhe is a flagship service delivery programme designed to strengthen coordination between provincial and local spheres of government. The initiative aims to identify and resolve service delivery bottlenecks that affect communities and delay the implementation of government programmes.

The programme provides a platform for residents to raise concerns and interact directly with government leadership on issues affecting their daily lives.

The event was attended by the District Mayor of uMgungundlovu, Mzi Zuma, mayors from local municipalities within the district, traditional leaders, Members of the Executive Council, and senior government officials.

Community Voices on Key Service Delivery Issues

During the engagement, community members raised a range of issues requiring government intervention. These included infrastructure development, water supply challenges, housing delivery, road maintenance, electricity provision, and crime prevention.

Operation Sukuma Sakhe provides an important participatory governance platform where communities can voice their concerns, share suggestions and engage with decision-makers responsible for delivering essential services.

Honouring Community Centenarians

The programme concluded with a special moment recognising centenarians from the district who attended the event. Certificates of recognition, cakes and gifts were presented to the elderly residents in appreciation of their remarkable longevity and their contribution to community life.

Premier Ntuli praised the centenarians as custodians of knowledge, wisdom and cultural heritage, emphasising the importance of respecting and honouring senior citizens in society.

“The Bible says you must respect your parents so that your years on earth may be long. The centenarians in our midst are testament to the importance of this commandment. We are honoured to have you here today. Your presence is a gift to us,” said Premier Ntuli.

He added that reaching more than a century of life is a rare achievement and expressed gratitude for the wisdom and experience the elderly continue to share with younger generations.

Strengthening the Spirit of Ubuntu

The Premier concluded by encouraging communities to continue embracing the values of Ubuntu by caring for senior citizens and recognising their role in preserving history, culture and moral guidance within society.

Operation Sukuma Sakhe remains a central pillar of the Provincial Government’s commitment to responsive governance, community participation and improved service delivery across KwaZulu-Natal.