Thapelo Mpatlanyane
uMngeni Local Municipality has been ranked the top municipality in KwaZulu-Natal for ensuring households have access to essential services, according to the Provincial Spatial Integration Report 2024/25.
The report, released by the KwaZulu-Natal government, measures how well municipalities provide residents with basic services and socio-economic opportunities.
uMngeni achieved a 93.75% access score, which reflects the percentage of households with access to sufficient water, basic sanitation, refuse removal, electricity for lighting, housing and environmental health, safe and healthy living environments, healthcare services, and food security.
Mayor Christopher Pappas welcomed the results, saying they are proof of the municipality’s commitment to improving the daily lives of residents.
“This ranking is a reflection of the hard work of our council, administration, and community partners in ensuring that residents of uMngeni live with dignity, security, and access to the most basic services. While there is still work to be done, we are proud to be leading the way in KwaZulu-Natal,” he said.
The municipality said the ranking underlines that access is a cornerstone of socio-economic development, and that its performance shows how strategic investment and good governance can improve living conditions.
uMngeni reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the standard while continuing to invest in infrastructure upgrades, expanding service delivery, and creating what it described as a healthier, more inclusive environment for all communities.
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