The eMadlangeni Local Municipality is a Category B municipality within the Amajuba District Municipality, located in the northwestern corner of the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa.
Overview
| Type of municipality: | Local Municipality (Category B) |
| MIIF classification: | B3 (small towns) |
| Province: | KwaZulu-Natal |
| District: | Amajuba |
| Municipal code: | KZN253 |
| Seat: | Utrecht |
| Number of wards: | 6 |
| Total area: | 3,539 km² (1,366 square miles) |
| Population: | 36,948 (in 2022) |
| Executive mayor: | Mzwakhe Buthelezi |
About
The eMadlangeni Local Municipality is geographically located in the eastern and northern regions of the Amajuba District Municipality, 52 kilometres east of Newcastle and 68 kilometres west of Vryheid on the R34, bordering the Mpumalanga Province in the north.
The municipality was previously known as the Utrecht Local Municipality.
The eMadlangeni Local Municipality covers an area of 3,539 km² (1,366 square miles), making it the largest of three local municipalities in the Amajuba District, as it accounts for half of its geographical area.
The municipality comprises 6 wards.
The eMadlangeni Local Municipality is bordered by:
- Newcastle and Dannhauser Local Municipalities to the west
- Endumeni and Nquthu Local Municipalities in the uMzinyathi District Municipality to the south
- AbaQulusi and eDumbe Local Municipalities in the Zululand District Municipality to the east
- Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Local Municipality in the Gert Sibande District Municipality in the Mpumalanga Province to the north
The administrative headquarters/seat of the eMadlangeni Local Municipality is in Utrecht, one of the oldest towns in KwaZulu-Natal Province, as it was established in 1854.
The land where the town of Utrecht is was bought from the Zulu King, Mpande.
This small valley situated at the foot of the northern end of the Drakensberg, known as the Balele Mountains, with the Inchuba River (Schoonstroom) running through it, was chosen by the then settlers for its beauty, peace, and tranquillity.
The eMadlangeni Local Municipality is home to the Balele Game Park and Caravan Resort, which attract tourists to the area.
Population
According to the South African National Census of 2022, the eMadlangeni Local Municipality has a population of 36,948 people, compared to 36,869 in 2016 and 34,442 in 2011.
The municipality has a population growth per annum of 0.68%.
According to the 2022 Census, 29.3% of the population is under the age of 15, 64.3% is between 15 and 64, and 6.4% is over 65.
Racial makeup
According to the 2022 Census, 92.7% of the population in the eMadlangeni Local Municipality describe themselves as Black African, 5.7% as White, 1.3% as Coloured, and 0.1% as Indian/Asian.
Languages
According to the 2022 Census, 87.9% of the population speaks isiZulu as their first language, 6.1% speak Afrikaans, 1.7% speak English, and 4.3% speak other languages.
Economy
The main economic sectors of the eMadlangeni Local Municipality are tourism, agriculture, industry, and services.
Municipal council and management
The eMadlangeni municipal council is comprised of 11 members elected by mixed-member proportional representation.
Six councillors are elected by first-past-the-post voting in 6 wards, while the remaining 5 are chosen from party lists so that the total number of party representatives is proportional to the number of votes received.
In the election of 1 November 2021, the African National Congress (ANC) lost its majority, with both the ANC and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) winning four seats on the council.
| Composition of Council (No. of seats by political party) | – ANC: 4 – IFP: 4 – DA: 1 – EFF: 1 – NFP: 1 |
| Controlling party | Hung Council |
| Executive Mayor | Mzwakhe Buthelezi |
| Deputy Executive Mayor | PF Chongo |
| Speaker | PX Qwabe |
| Chief Whip | SM Khoza |
| Other Council Members | – M.M Booysen – N.A Madida – F Mlambo – H.M Mthethwa (Exco) – V.C Ndlovu – F.G.S Smook |
| Municipal Manager | Grace Mavundla |
| Chief Financial Officer | Wellington Mtusva |
| Senior Management | – Njabulo Kheswa (HOD: Planning and Infrastructure Services) – Zamokuhle Mkhize (Director: Corporate Services) – S.F Mtshali (Director: Planning and Economic Development) – Wellington Mtusva (HOD: Budget and Treasury Services) – A.R Reynard (Chief Protection Services) – Zanele Sithebe (HOD: Community Services) – TP Zondi (Manager: LED) |
| Communications Officers | Ayanda Mabaso |
Towns/places
Below are the towns/places in the eMadlangeni Local Municipality.
- Groenvlei
- Utrecht
Contact details
The contact details of the eMadlangeni Local Municipality are listed in the table below.
| Postal Address: | P.O. Box 11, Utrecht, 2980 |
| Physical Address: | 34 Voor Street, Utrecht, 2980 |
| Telephone: | 034 331 3041 |
| Fax: | 034 331 4312 |
| Email: | info@emadlangeni.gov.za |
| Website: | www.emadlangeni.gov.za |
