Govan Mbeki Local Municipality is a Category B municipality located in the western region of the Gert Sibande District Municipality in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa.
Overview
| Type of municipality: | Local Municipality (Category B) |
| MIIF classification: | B1 (secondary city) |
| Province: | Mpumalanga |
| District: | Gert Sibande |
| Municipal code: | MP307 |
| Seat: | Secunda |
| Number of wards: | 32 |
| Total area: | 2,955 km² (1,141 square miles) |
| Population: | 310,117 (in 2022) |
| Executive mayor: | Nhlakanipho G Zuma |
About
Previously known as the Highveld East Local Municipality, Govan Mbeki Local Municipality is geographically situated in the western part of the Gert Sibande District Municipality in a region known as Cosmos Country.
The municipality is named after Govan Archibald Mvunyelwa Mbeki, who was a politician and leader of the African National Congress.
Govan Mbeki Local Municipality covers an area of 2,955 km² (1,141 square miles), making it the second-smallest local municipality in the Gert Sibande District as it accounts for 9% of its geographical area.
The administrative headquarters/seat of Govan Mbeki Local Municipality is in Secunda, which also serves as the seat of the district municipality.
The municipality is divided into 32 wards.
Govan Mbeki Local Municipality is bordered by:
- Dipaleseng Local Municipality to the southwest
- Lekwa Local Municipality to the south
- Msukaligwa Local Municipality to the east
- Steve Tshwete Local Municipality in the Nkangala District to the northeast
- Emalahleni Local Municipality in the Nkangala District to the north
- Victor Khanye Local Municipality in the Nkangala District to the northwest
- Lesedi Local Municipality in the Sedibeng District in Gauteng Province to the west
Population
According to the South African National Census of 2022, Govan Mbeki Local Municipality has a population of 310,117 people, compared to 340,091 in 2016, and 294,538 in 2011.
The municipality has a population growth per annum of 0.5%.
According to the 2022 Census, 25.4% of the population is under the age of 15, 69.8% is between 15 and 64, and 4.7% is over 65.
Racial makeup
According to the 2022 Census, 80.5% of the population in Govan Mbeki Local Municipality describe themselves as Black African, 16% as White, 1.5% as Coloured, and 1.5% as Indian/Asian.
Languages
According to the 2022 Census, 47.4% of the population speaks isiZulu as their first language, 15.9% speak Afrikaans, 7.7% speak isiNdebele, 6% speak Sesotho, and 23% speak other languages.
Economy
The main economic sectors of Govan Mbeki Local Municipality are manufacturing, trade, mining, and construction.
Municipal council and management
The municipality is under S139 administration, effective from October 2018.
The Govan Mbeki municipal council is comprised of 63 members elected by mixed-member proportional representation.
Thirty-two councillors are elected by first-past-the-post voting in 32 wards, while the remaining 31 are chosen from party lists so that the total number of party representatives is proportional to the number of votes received.
| Composition of Council (No. of seats by political party) | – ANC: 26 – DA: 17 – EFF: 13 – VF PLUS: 3 – ARP: 2 – ATM: 1 – IFP: 1 |
| Controlling party | Hung Council |
| Executive Mayor | Nhlakanipho G Zuma |
| Deputy Executive Mayor | n/a |
| Speaker | Fikile F Magagamela |
| Chief Whip | MJ Mtsweni |
| Other Council Members | – AV Mbokazi (MMC: Finance) – PD Mtshali (MMC: Corporate Services) – TP Mtsweni (MMC: Planning Development) – YT Ngxonono (MMC: Civil Engineering) – ME Nsibande (MMC: Community Services) – SI Sibanyoni (MPAC Chairperson) – L Ziwele (MMC: Energy) – JP Zwane (MMC: Budget and Revenue Enhancement) |
| Municipal Manager | Elliot N Maseko |
| Chief Financial Officer | M Moloto |
| Senior Management | – L Dube (Regional Manager: Region 1) – S Gumede (Regional Manager: Region 2) – IMT Jezile (Chief to Staff) – D Maake (Director: Planning and Economic Development) – MR Mashiane (Regional Manager: Region 3) – R Maswanganyi (Director: Electrical and Mechanical Engineering) – V Mlangeni (Director: Civil Engineering) – N Raisa-Mlandu (Director: Community Services) |
| Communications Officers | Lucky Mhlongo (Communications) |
Corruption
After allegations of extensive corruption, a forensic investigation was launched by the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG). The Section 106 forensic investigation report released in 2020 revealed extensive political interference in its administration.
The report revealed abuse of municipal assets and property, non-implementation of council resolutions, awarding of bursaries without following procedures, and advertisement of tenders without following legislation.
Senior positions were occupied by politically affiliated individuals who lacked the minimum required qualifications or even a matric certificate.
In addition, several companies that got preferential treatment had senior politicians on their payroll. The senior politician and executive mayor, Ms Thandi Ngxonono, was implicated in the report and took special leave.
In September 2024 the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, revealed that his office would investigate funds that went missing in 2017 that had been meant to renovate a theatre in Secunda.
Towns/places
Below are the towns/places in Govan Mbeki Local Municipality.
- Bethal
- Charl Cilliers
- Eendraght
- Embalenhle
- Emzinoni
- Evander
- Kinross
- Leandra
- Secunda
- Trichardt
Contact details
The contact details of Govan Mbeki Local Municipality are listed in the table below.
| Postal Address: | Private Bag X1017, Secunda, 2302 |
| Physical Address: | Horwood Street, Secunda |
| Telephone: | 017 620 6000 |
| Fax: | 017 634 8019 |
| Email: | callcentre@govanmbeki.gov.za |
| Website: | www.govanmbeki.gov.za |
| WhatsApp: | 083 790 0659 |
| Fraud and Corruption Line: | 0800 212 319 |
