Maila’s SOLMA focuses on accelerating services in Fetakgomo Tubatse
GA MOTODI
The mayor of Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM), Eddie Maila, presented a R1.3b budget, that will mainly focus on the expansion of the road network by constructing roads in rural areas and the electrification of households.
Maila was speaking during the annual State of the Local Municipality Address (SOLMA) held at a packed Ga-Motodi Sports Complex in Burgersfort on 7 August.
Maila expressed his gratitude to the people of Fetakgomo Tubatse for attending the occasion in large numbers.
Honouring the event was Queen Mother Manyaku Thulare, Sekhukhune District Municipality’s (SDM) executive mayor, Cllr Minah Bahula, MEC for public works, infrastructure and roads, Ernest Rachoene, the mayors of local municipalities in the SDM and leaders of various political parties.
Maila told the crowd that, in 2023, the FTLM council gave approval for the City Development Strategy.
“The municipality is planning towards that goal, and we want our community to share that vision. Our quest for city status is underpinned by the urgent need to address the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and social inequality. The development of the city will attract significant investment, stimulate economic growth and help overcome socio-economic issues,” Maila said.
He said that when the council was inaugurated in November 2021, they made a decision that the municipality must spend conditional grants for the intended purpose, and within the stipulated time. “We are proud to report that, to date, the municipality has been consistently spending conditional grants as per directive and no money was ever returned to Department Treasury due to poor planning or non-spending.”
On the municipality’s success and awards, the mayor assured the community that the FTLM is in good hands. He added that during the 2025 South African Local Government Association Awards, Fetakgomo Tubatse was conferred with two, reflecting its dedication to sound and prudent financial management.
“The municipality received an award for being one of the six municipalities in Limpopo that did not incur fruitless and wasteful expenditure. This is an indication that municipal funds are utilised efficiently,” said Maila. According to him, the second award was for sustaining an unqualified audit opinion and spending 100% of conditional grants. He said the FTLM’s mission is to attain a clean audit opinion, and all their efforts are channelled towards that objective.
The mayor’s presentation focused on key infrastructural achievements, as well as plans to accelerate service delivery in the 2025/26 financial year.
He said the municipality has made strides in the electrification of households, which has reduced a significant backlog on household connections.
He confirmed that the electrification projects at Mandela East, Ga-Selepe, Ga-Nkoana, Phiring, Ga-Moraba, Magabe Park and Majaditshukudu are all completed, only awaiting Eskom to energise. “The municipality will continue engagements with Eskom to find ways to supply electricity to households that have been connected.”
The construction of roads in rural areas has been a top priority, which he said has improved access and mobility.
Maila reiterated that since the 2022/23 financial year, the municipality has invested significant resources towards this goal. “We can confidently report that road construction has improved mobility for our communities and enhanced economic activity in those areas,” he said.
Some of the roads the municipality is currently developinginclude the Maepa, Dresden, Praktiseer Shushumela and Ga-Mokgotho access roads. Those in Magakala, Mashung, Mareseleng, Ga-Debeila to Mohlaletsi and Apiesdoring to Manoke are all completed.
Other notable projects earmarked for the 2025/26 fiscal year include the construction of the Burgersfort Regional Landfill Site in Dresden, Kgopaneng Sports Complex Phase 2, the storm water drainage system at Mashifane Park and many others.
In concluding his address, he vowed the FTLM will continue to engage other stakeholders to collaborate on projects that will fight the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and social inequality.
