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Amathole District Municipality began its departmental strategic planning sessions on 02 December 2025. The programme aims to strengthen service delivery and improve coordination across all units. The Department of Strategic Planning and Governance held the first session at the Calgary Museum and Conference Centre.
What Happened
Director Luyanda Sovasi opened the session. He stressed the need for alignment, innovation and a shared commitment to better service delivery. He reminded officials that the department exists to support ADM’s core business by being strategic, knowledgeable and clear in its role. Sovasi encouraged staff to challenge old systems, improve turnaround times and adopt solution-driven approaches. He called for stronger teamwork and warned against working in silos.
“Let us have an ADM approach that does not work in silos but seeks to be united. Let us be ADM and not be defined and rigid to our units,” he said.
Municipal Manager Dr Bhekisisa Mthembu also attended the session. He commended the department for its contributions to ADM’s progress. He emphasized the municipality’s qualified audit opinion with fewer findings, calling it an important milestone.
“As we stride forward, the tone for 2026 should be about driving efficiency in all that we do, and this can be done by us not deviating from our policies and processes. We need to reposition ourselves to think big and act decisively,” he said.
Key Priorities Discussed
Units outlined strategies to strengthen internal coordination and improve communication with the public. They discussed enhancing ICT systems to speed up water and sanitation reporting and supporting resource mobilisation for financial and non-financial needs. Officials said these priorities will guide business plan development and shape institutional programmes in the coming year.
