It has been stated that one of the main attractions to an area when people decide to semi-grate, or even visit, is a functioning municipality backed by solid residence associations as this is what keeps a town functioning and attractive. This is becoming extremely evident in the uMngeni Municipality.
Under the leadership of Mayor Chris Pappas, uMngeni has managed to change its audit outcome from qualified to unqualified after being assessed by the Auditor General. This essentially means that this municipality is managing its finances well, eliminating corruption, cutting down wastefulness, and, in effect, making the "business" (Municipality) functional and running the municipality effectively. Says Pappas, "We achieved this in 7 months and paid off all our debt, which was 12 million rand, so we now save ratepayers interest, we do not owe money to Eskom, we have purchased specialist equipment, we have increased maintenance budgets so we can now resurface roads, make the landfill site functional, and we have even installed backup power to robots, which is a first for KZN. With better budgeting, we have also improved the number of indigent households who can now get basic services such as refuse removal and electricity free from 133 to 3000 households so with this approach we are able to help more people."
With an approach that focuses on being part of the community and being easily accessible to people, Pappas has focused on building partnerships within the community and even welcomes feedback, good or bad. "Having grown up in this area, I have the same ethos and the understanding of the hopes and aspirations of people generally," continues Pappas. "It is also unusual for a young person who is qualified to be in the seat of a mayor, and this is a reason for people to believe that change can happen and that something profound can occur, even in such a small place like ours. We also have in this community an incredible culture of giving, of wanting to participate, and there is also a collective buy-in of where we as an area are going and that we are working for something in common that is for the betterment of our area. For this, I am grateful."
The changes being implemented in uMngeni are leading to progress, and some of these include exciting new developments that are being finalized. Some of these include creating:
- A "V & A" Waterfront around The Howick Falls, which is the only waterfall in a CBD in South Africa
- A Sculpture Route that will lead to the Nelson Mandela Capture Site – also an iconic commemorative location
- A Railway Heritage Route in the Hilton community.
These urban planning developments will contribute to enhancing the tourist attractions and tourism activity offered by uMngeni, which is another important economic factor that will contribute to uMngeni continuing to be a desirable place to live or visit