KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 03: President Jacob Zuma interacts with Nkandla residents while waiting to cast his vote during the 2016 Local Government Elections on August 03, 2016 in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) municipal elections are held every five years to elect councillors who will be responsible for governing a municipality for the next five years. (Photo by Gallo Images / Daily Sun / Jabulani Langa)
KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 03: President Jacob Zuma interacts with Nkandla residents while waiting to cast his vote during the 2016 Local Government Elections on August 03, 2016 in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) municipal elections are held every five years to elect councillors who will be responsible for governing a municipality for the next five years. (Photo by Gallo Images / Daily Sun / Jabulani Langa)
When you think of Nkandla, the first images that come to mind are dominated by a certain former president. While Jacob Zuma built his sprawling homestead in the rolling hills of KwaZulu-Natal, what’s good for the gander may not be good for the goose.
Msholozi may have got his fire-pool and countless other opulent features, but the actual municipality itself is on its knees. The Good Governance Index was launched this week and it assesses municipalities on their service delivery, economic growth and the competency of their elected officials.
Nkandla gets panned by Good Governance Index
The worst-run municipality is in KwaZulu-Natal and it is ruled by the IFP. Msinga bottoms the table, with a lowly 213th-place performance. The ANC then complete this “relegation zone”, registering three more municipalities – Umhlabuyalingana (KZN), Ntabankulu and Port St. Johns (Eastern Cape) – in the bottom five, which is rounded-off by Nkandla.
You may be unaware that Nkandla is actually an IFP-run municipality. But it is severely lacking when it comes to giving its residents prosperous and desirable living conditions. In fact, both they and the ANC are responsible for 20 of the worst-performing municipalities.
List of worst-run municipalities in South Africa:
(All municipalities run by ANC unless stated)
- Msinga, KZN – IFP
- Umhlabuyalingana, KZN
- Ntabankulu, Eastern Cape
- Port St. John’s, Eastern Cape
- Nkandla, KZN – IFP
- Matatiele, Eastern Cape
- Engcobo, Eastern Cape
- Mbizana, Eastern Cape
- Umzube, KZN
- Nquthu, KZN – IFP
- Ndwedwe, KZN
- Maphumulo, KZN
- Mbahashe, Eastern Cape
- Ratlou, North West
- Greater Taung, North West
- Thembisile Hani, Mpumalanga
- Makhuduthamaga, Limpopo
- Nongoma, KZN
- Jozini, KZN – IFP
- Nyandeni, Eastern Cape
Elsewhere, the DA came up smelling of roses from this report. They are responsible for 15 of the top 20 municipalities, with Mossel Bay in the Western Cape topping the log. Something Alan Winde – the DA’s candidate for the premiership in the province – was all too happy to talk-up:
“This is a fantastic achievement and bears testament to the DA’s proven track record in governance and service delivery roll out across South Africa. Where the DA governs, we work hard to keep our promises.”
Alan Winde
