By Johnathan Paoli
The Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB is exploring the possibility of establishing a new metro in KwaZulu-Natal, which could mark the addition of South Africa’s ninth metro.
Board chairperson Thabo Manyoni said on Wednesday that a decision on the feasibility of the new metro, potentially merging the Msunduzi and Richmond local municipalities, is expected before the 2026 local government elections.
he discussions form part of a broader strategy to improve governance and service delivery in the region.
The proposed metro aims to address the growing administrative needs and population dynamics of the area.
However, it remains uncertain if the metro can be fully established in time for the upcoming local elections.
Manyoni emphasised the board’s commitment to a thorough research and consultation process that incorporates the input from all affected by the decision.
“We are dedicated to ensuring that any new metro is viable and meets the needs of its residents. The decision will be made based on comprehensive research and stakeholder input,” he said.
In tandem with the feasibility study, the board is conducting a series of consultations to educate stakeholders about the ward delimitation process, which is crucial ahead of the local government elections.
These consultations are designed to include traditional leaders, ward councillors, municipal officials and community members across all municipalities in KwaZulu- Natal.
Every five years, as mandated by the Municipal Structures Act, the board is responsible for delimiting wards.
Manyoni praised the process as essential to ensure equitable representation, especially in light of the increasing number of registered voters in South Africa.
The board has highlighted the importance of maintaining balanced voter distribution across wards in order to ensure fair and effective governance.
For instance, in a municipality with 30,000 voters and 10 wards, each ward should ideally have around 3,000 voters, allowing for a 15% variation to accommodate population changes.
“The sharp increase in registered voters necessitates adjustments in ward configurations. Our goal is to ensure that every citizen has equitable representation in local governance,” Manyoni said.
The board’s education initiative on demarcations began in July this year, with plans for nationwide public consultations to follow.
These consultations, while not mandated by legislation, are a testament to the board’s commitment to enhancing public engagement and ensuring that communities are informed and able to participate meaningfully in the demarcation processes.
Once draft wards are proposed, extensive community consultations will be conducted between March and April next year to gather public input before finalising the ward configurations.
Manyoni reinforced the board’s dedication to fostering spatial democracy and ensuring that all communities can actively engage in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.
“We believe that empowering communities to participate in demarcation processes is vital for efficient service delivery and access to economic opportunities,” he said.
As the MDB continues its research and community consultations, the potential establishment of a new metro in KwaZulu-Natal could pave the way for improved governance and service delivery, reflecting the evolving needs of the province’s residents.
The coming months will be crucial as stakeholders await the board’s findings and the future of local governance in the region.
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