DEMARCATION BOARD
In the picture is: (The Mayor of uMtshezi, Honourable Bongani Dlamini, the Mayor of Mbabazane, Mrs.
Phindile Strydom and the Chairperson of the Demarcation Board).
More than 350 people attended the Demarcation Board proceedings in the Mtshezi Town hall last Wednesday.
This gathering was also attended by five Amakhosi in Mtshezi and related areas. DEM 441 is the amalgamation
of Mbabazane into Mtshezi to form one Municipality under uThukela Municipality.
Escourt is the largest commercial centre in the Midlands region. The majority of the people are concentrated
in urban and farming areas but there are a few patches of high-density settlements within the informal areas.
The municipality boasts well-established industrial, commercial and residential areas as well as rich agricultural
farmlands.
The Chairperson of the Demarcation Board in a meeting held at Mtshezi Town hall told the attendees that in
previous years the board had allowed petitions in which they responded to. She added that the district
gatherings are aimed at giving way forward concerning the boundaries.
The Chairperson quoted the country’s Constitution on Section 26 processes that say “we intend to apply our
mind in this process” and it is because of 200 + members attending the meeting, making their views and
requesting for clarities and answers in which lead us to have this meeting. The Demarcation Board objectives
are as follow; the board ensure that there should be the establishment of municipality which will take care of
the people.
Promotion of socio-economic development, safe environment, demarcation boundaries to enable the
municipality to govern properly, integrated development, tax-in and out which brings development and to
make sure that these objects are achieved.
Different speakers from the Mbabazane differed at the go with the initiative saying that there is not adequate
representation from their side. They further said this is undermining the Mbabazane people and also
complaining about the venue which they claim it was initially supposing to be at Mbabazane.
Nevertheless, the Chairperson said it wasn’t about undermining anyone as they started this in 2011 and
received inputs from other community members. All have been made including media publication and the
Amakhosi were also informed.
The Board then gave platform to the Mayor of Mtshezi, His Worship the Honourable Bongani Dlamini who told
the people that we should give the board a chance to discuss whether we should meet with Mbabazane or
not. As a political head, representing 80-thousand people, the Mayor said we must look at what will help us to
make a living. People from Mbabazane contribute a lot in the economy of Mtshezi and get less from factories
such as Bacon Factory, Masonite, Nestle and others.
The Mayor reminded the people that they grew up not having these boundaries. He sighted an example that in
the morning, the taxis of Mbabazane leave the town area empty to Ntabamhlophe and other areas because
everybody comes to work to Mtshezi. In return they gain nothing.
The merger of the two municipalities will also save a lot of millions of rands to help the poor people. The
Mayor said we are coming to build the nation. He added that we are having families, relatives who are staying
in Mbabazane and who are not benefiting from Mtshezi. “The Mtshezi Municipality supports the
amalgamation as a regional economic hub.
The Mbabazane Mayor, Honourable Phindile Strydom also told the Demarcation Board that they set down as
Municipality and the people of Mbabazane never said anything. “The Demarcation Board must make an
advocacy”. She says they know that the National government discourage the boundaries. Mayor Strydom said
there should be an interaction with the Mbabazane people and they shall rely on the information from the
community.
The meeting was adjourned for more representation from other places such as Loskop which many believe
that the amalgamation will be beneficial for the community as there is no development which is brought by
the Mbabazane Municipality. The board has promised the people who attended the Demarcation Board
meeting that another gathering will be scheduled to get more inputs from the community.