Alfred Nzo District Municipality rolls out R2.65m social budget and water projects in Ntabankulu

Residents in Ntabankulu are being directly consulted on how millions in public funds will be spent — with water access, jobs and youth support at the centre of the district’s 2026/27 budget plans.

The Alfred Nzo District Municipality has begun a five-day outreach programme in partnership with Ntabankulu Local Municipality, presenting its draft budget to communities in Wards 01 to 04. The sessions include political leaders, councillors and traditional authorities engaging residents on planned projects and priorities.

At the heart of the discussions is water security — a long-standing issue in many parts of the Eastern Cape. The municipality says a borehole has already been installed in Ward 01, while upgrades to the Rhwantsana Water Treatment Works are ongoing. Once complete, the project is expected to supply clean drinking water to villages including Nkumba, Lugangatho, Mhleleni and surrounding areas.

Beyond water, the draft budget outlines several economic and social programmes aimed at local communities. In Ward 04, 10 small construction businesses are expected to receive training through a skills development and mentorship initiative. The municipality is also planning to support an agricultural school project to stimulate job creation.

The financial breakdown shows R2.65 million allocated to social programmes targeting youth, the elderly and people living with disabilities. A further R6.03 million is earmarked for local arts, sports development and upgrades to Thusong Centres, while R2.5 million has been set aside for disaster management.

An additional R500,000 bursary fund is planned to assist students — a move that could ease pressure on families struggling with access to higher education funding in rural areas.

For communities across Alfred Nzo, the outreach matters because it opens a rare window to influence how public money is spent. However, it remains a draft budget, meaning final approvals and timelines may still change.

Local impact is clear: access to water, skills development and education support directly affect livelihoods in some of the province’s most underserved villages.

The municipality is expected to continue consultations before finalising the budget.

Residents are encouraged to attend remaining sessions or follow updates as decisions move closer to implementation — especially those hoping to benefit from job programmes, bursaries or infrastructure upgrades.