To address service delivery issues, several cabinet members visited Newcastle on Wednesday, 26 March 2025, as part of the District Development Model (DDM) Cabinet Day initiative.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government explained that this initiative reflects its commitment to improving service delivery by aligning provincial leadership with community needs, thereby tackling key challenges head-on.
Led by KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, the DDM Cabinet Day offered a platform for direct dialogue between government officials, residents, and stakeholders, ensuring swift resolution of critical issues. Premier Ntuli and his Executive Council also reviewed ongoing projects, prioritised infrastructure development, and strengthened services in sectors such as health, education, water supply, and economic growth.
“This intervention aligns with the 7th Administration’s vision of a people-cantered government that prioritises efficiency, accountability, and tangible progress in improving the lives of KwaZulu-Natal citizens,” stated the KZN Provincial Government.
Councillor Thembelihle Mthembu, Acting Mayor of Amajuba District Municipality, opened the event by highlighting the need to shift from identifying problems to implementing sustainable solutions.
He further described the DDM as a framework that drives cooperative governance, integrated planning, and effective service delivery.
Local mayors, municipal managers, officials, and Cluster Chairs convened at the Amajuba District Municipality offices for strategic discussions. The municipality’s communications unit noted that the session emphasised a unified, results-focused approach, refining the District One Plan, optimising DDM hubs and clusters, and preparing for Amajuba Cabinet Day.
Moreover, the Amajuba District Municipality underscored that the session laid the groundwork for better coordination and impact in planning and service execution.
Premier Ntuli was accompanied by key provincial figures, such as the MECs for Transport and Human Settlements, Public Works, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Sports, Arts and Culture, Social Development, Education, Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, and Agriculture, along with representatives from the Department of Health.
During their oversight visit in Newcastle, they inspected the following projects:
· The Madadeni Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade, now operational.
· The P483 Blacktop patching project.
· The Department of Education’s upgrade of Isikhalisezwe High School, 95% complete.
· The Masihambisane Sports Facility upgrade in Osizweni, 91% complete.
· Repairs to four sinking homes in Madadeni.
· The AC Pipe Replacement Project in Arbor Park, addressing water infrastructure issues.
· The Monte Vista Fitness Centre, with phase one completed.
· Newcastle Airport.
· Newcastle Provincial Hospital, where theatre and roofing upgrades are nearing completion.
· The stalled H39 Housing Project in Madadeni, now under review.
· The new Unisa facilities, overcoming delays and advancing.
· The Hospital Street Housing Project, set for completion by November 2025.
KZN Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer began his inspection at Fairleigh Hall in Ward 25, where he identified challenges such as asbestos roofing in homes—posing health and storm-related risks—limited electrification, and infrastructure decay, including potholes on roads to the CBD.
Additionally, Meyer pointed to progress, including the R300 million Hospital Street Housing Project, which has engaged 38 subcontractors and created over 120 jobs. He also highlighted a university catalytic project tied to the 2035 vision of positioning Newcastle as an economic hub.
Speaking to Newcastillian News, Meyer said, “While there are concerns about a few things such as delays and cost overruns, my department will address this. Where assistance is needed in certain backlogs, the Department of Public Works will assist where possible. However, there is good development going on with these two projects.”
MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma, reviewing the P483 blacktop patching, observed, “Over the past years and over the past couple of months, prolonged rainfall and floods have caused the deterioration of our road infrastructure. As the department we continue to do major rehabilitation and resealing of our roads.”
He noted that the Department of Transport has deployed over 55 high-tech trucks province-wide, each with nine crew members addressing potholes.
“We are also investing in the new technology and construction material. This is part of adapting to the new severe weather patterns caused by the Climate Change,” Duma concluded.
Moreover, Duma engaged with the Vezubuhle community, isolated by floodwaters from recent rainfall. He outlined an interim alternative route and a long-term fix, stating, “The flooded bridge and the road belongs to Newcastle Local Municipality, but they say they have no capacity to assist the community. We have decided to speed up interventions working with the municipality and the Department of Water and Sanitation. For now, we want to ensure access for the community. We will need to deploy 1200m concrete pipes and on the alternative route. This will be suitable for one way crossing. We will also need to add few tons of ordinary quarry for back filling and levelling out will be explored.”
Addressing residents in Madadeni, Premier Ntuli emphasised accelerating service delivery in the Amajuba District, noting that the initiative deepens government-community ties to address socio-economic challenges within Newcastle and its neighbouring communities.
With Newcastle now central to service delivery improvements and project completion, what are your views on these efforts?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Comments 5
I note that most of the suburbs of Newcastle were not mentioned. Seems that the areas that actually PAY for service delivery, are ignored.
It shows where the cabinet members know how to secure votes.
Sad that the majority of rate payers are so blatantly pushed aside and disregarded.
I hope that the challanges that were identified in all the areas that were visited will be attended to. Hopefully when they visit next time they will find progress in our town.
I see the visit as a good means of monitoring how ever I feel that this kind of excersise should be intensified.
Only fancy mouth watering statements,
No mention at all, about fixing potholes, street lights, speed humps marking etc ( town infrastructure), ..
All talk and no action.Our once beautiful town is now decrepit and a shadow of it’s former self thanks to an inept and dysfunctional council.
I saw a truck full of rubble and about 10 municipal workers with brooms and shovels, putting rumble on the road completely destroyed .. the same day it rained and all the rubble was washed away🫣😀🥹🫡 along the way to plaza mall from madadeni. What a waste of taxpayers money.. is this what the people deserve. At this rate I don’t see Newcastle progressing.
More talk than action.