IFP President Mangosuthu Buthelezi has heaped praise on the Ulundi Municipality for excelling ‘year after year’.
He was speaking at the Ulundi’s Community Achievers event held at the Prince Mangosuthu Regional Sports Complex on Saturday.
‘It pleases me to see this municipality exceeding its past achievements, positioning itself as one of the best run municipalities in KZN.
‘Year after year it receives a clean bill of health from the Auditor General, highlighting the sound financial management and strong leadership at our local municipality.
Ulundi, together with Zululand District Municipality, was chosen as a finalist in the 2016/2017 Municipal Service Excellence Awards.
This, Buthelezi said, was no small achievement.
‘The standards are rigorous. Assessors from the Office of the Premier evaluate the performance of municipalities across the province in terms of service delivery, budget implementation, audit opinions, management of human resources, risk management and inter-governmental relations.’Ulundi was also chosen in the category of Best Municipal Manager. And while we were still celebrating, another award was bestowed on Ulundi, this time from the MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works.
‘When we boast about our municipality, when we talk about good leadership and sound values, we are not just playing politics. Ulundi’s service excellence has been recognised by both opponents and friends, and it has certainly been recognised by us, the people,’ Buthelezi said
A prominent resident of Ulundi himself, Buthelezi said the municipality was built on a legacy created over many years by the erstwhile KwaZulu government.
‘During my tenure as the head of KwaZulu Governemnt, I ensured that corruption would never find a foothold and I held my ministers and officials to account to ensure a high standard of integrity.
‘Those who entered governance knew that it was not a means to riches, but a calling to service.
‘We worked hard, sacrificing our time and energy, often well beyond what could reasonably be expected because we knew that quality of life for millions of people depended on our efforts.
‘That work ethic and integrity were built into the fibre of governance in Ulundi, so that even now, 23 years into democracy, Ulundi still attracts a very special kind of leader.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
