Tabling of the 2022/2023 Annual Report by the mayor of KwaDukuza, Cllr. Lindile Nhaca at the occasion of the full council meeting on 25 January 2024

Speaker of council;

Whip of Council;
Members of the Executive Committee;
Members of Council;
Representatives of the Local House of Traditional Leaders;
Auditor General of South Africa, Senior Manager, Mr. Martin Coates, and Assistant Manager Mrs. Zainab Ebrahim,
CoGTA Chief Director, Municipal Finance, Dr Joey Krishnan;
Chairpersons of the Performance Audit Committee,  Mr. Meyiwa;
Chairpersons of the Audit Committee, Ms N Mchunu;
Municipal Manager and Senior Management;
Interest groups;
Members of the fourth estate;
Ladies and Gentlemen:

I greet you all as we convene our first full council meeting in the new year  2024. We welcome you with complements and best wishes for the year ahead. As we do, we look forward to a year filled with endless possibilities in the knowledge that we have been revived and armed with with more strength, wisdom and a sense unity as a council with a common purpose of implementing our electorate mandate which seek to improve the quality of life for all. 

Therefore the year 2024 is an important year as we commemorate 30 years of our freedom and democracy. It also marks the 28 anniversary since the establishment of developmental local government under the democratic dispensation.

Audit outcomes

As part of commemorating our achievements, we have just received news from the auditor general indicating that we have obtained our 18th consecutive Unqualified Audit Opinion with few matters of emphasis.

This is a significant achievement which demonstrates our continued success. I'm also delighted that our annual performance audit has received an unqualified audit with no findings which is generally known as a Clean Audit. Our commitment to adhere to legal regulations is clearly demonstrated by the outcome we have achieved. It serves as evidence of our responsible approach to managing public funds.

We are looking forward to attending two other matters which were identified by the AG. Repeat findings continue to prevent our municipality from obtaining a clean audit.

Ladies and gentlemen, the purpose of the Annual Report is to document the municipality's activities during the previous financial year. This includes an evaluation of our performance in delivering services and implementing the budget. This report before you offers a glimpse into the municipality's challenges, accomplishments and how they align with the Council's objectives for the year under review. It sets the tone for implementing our short and long-term strategic plans. 

By definition, its serve as an instrument for accountability based on the commitments we have made to the people.

Somlomo, allow me to present the context of which the 2022-2023 annual report was captured.

It was during the year under review where we witnessed a gradual recovery from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic coupled with the impact of the provincial unrests – the recovery process out of this economic downturn was relatively sluggish. Whilst this was the case, we were impacted by the floods and thereafter received funding for the restoration of infrastructure which its progress forms part of the report before you.

This report has undergone rigorous scrutiny from the Annual Report Drafting Committee and I also wish to take this opportunity to thank the team responsible for developing this report. It would also be unfair to not recognise and appreciate the efforts and inputs from oversight committees, internal auditors, and members of council.

I also wish to highlight how the municipality performed in delivering services as reflected on the Annual Report.
On organizational performance, there was a total of one hundred and four (104) performance targets for 2022/2023.

• 80 targets were fully achieved, totaling 77%
• 24 targets were not met totaling 23%

As much we have improved on our targets, I strongly believe that we can achieve better in the future towards creating a better life for all.

I want to emphasise that there are very important dates to be diarise by stakeholders and members of the public who wish to submit comments of this Annual Report. This process is critical for those who appreciate participatory democracy to make the voices heard.

The Annual Report will be placed in all KwaDukuza Municipal Libraries, Municipal Offices and on the Municipal Website. The opportunity to view and make comments will be open from 31 January 2024 until 13 February 2024. Only written submissions will be accepted within the set time period.

I would like to express my gratitude to the Performance Management team, the entire management, Audit Committees responsible for compiling, commenting this draft report. I also extend my appreciation to all Councilors for their contribution and commitment towards realising our collective vision and making a difference in the lives of our people.

To all members of MPAC led by Cllr. T. Mkhize. This job is not easy, as a committee we trust that you will deliver this process with objectivity, diligence, and integrity.

Members of council and the public, I invite you to make the necessary inputs towards improving this report.

Madam Speaker, I hereby table the 2022-2023 Annual Report for consideration in terms of Section 127 of the MFMA read with item number C987.

Thank you!