Gert Sibande District Municipality

23/10/2026

📢 LAUNCH OF THE NATIONAL POSITIVE MASCULINITY CAMPAIGN

The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms. Sindisiwe Chikunga, MP, together with the Premier of Mpumalanga, Mr. Mandla Ndlovu, will lead the launch of the National Positive Masculinity Campaign under the theme: “Real Men & Boys Build, Protect and Transform.”

The campaign calls for men and boys to become active partners in building safer communities, promoting gender equality, challenging harmful gender norms and ending gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

📅 Date: 23 October 2026 | ⏰ Time: 09:00
📍 Venue: Elshaddai Praise Centre, Ermelo, Mpumalanga

22/10/2026

MEDIA STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

To All Media

GSDM HOLDS FINAL COUNCIL MEETING OF THE SIXTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION.

Ermelo, Mpumalanga – 21 October 2026

The Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) convened its final ordinary Council meeting of the 6th Local Government Administration at the Council Chambers, presided over by Speaker of Council, Cllr Busisiwe Sekhonde, with Executive Mayor Cllr Walter Mngomezulu leading the consideration of items before Council. The sitting marked the final Council meeting ahead of the upcoming Local Government Elections and the conclusion of the current term of office.

In her remarks, Speaker Sekhonde expressed appreciation to councillors from all political parties for their commitment to democratic governance and constructive engagement throughout the term. She commended Council for consistently providing a platform where differing views could be debated respectfully while maintaining a shared commitment to the development of the Gert Sibande District.

Executive Mayor Cllr Walter Mngomezulu noted that the meeting marked the last Council sitting before the upcoming Local Government Elections and the conclusion of the current term of office. He extended his appreciation to Council, the Mayoral Committee and the municipal administration led by the Accounting Officer for their contribution towards advancing the municipality's developmental agenda and ensuring the effective functioning of the institution. Cllr Mngomezulu also conveyed his best wishes to all political parties as they prepare to engage communities and participate in the forthcoming elections.

Throughout the term, Council has played a pivotal role in providing strategic leadership and governance by approving funded budgets, policy frameworks and development plans that guided the municipality's work. These decisions enabled the municipality to strengthen financial management, support local municipalities, advance cooperative governance and drive developmental initiatives aimed at improving the lives of residents across the district. Council's leadership and oversight have also contributed to institutional stability within the municipality. Throughout the term, the administration-maintained stability at senior management level, with all Heads of Department in place and working collectively with Council and the Mayoral Committee to advance the municipality's strategic objectives, strengthen governance and ensure continuity in service delivery. The dedication and consistency demonstrated by Council's Section 79 Committees in executing their oversight responsibilities and contributing to sound governance and decision-making processes also did not go unnoticed.

Members of the public were also afforded an opportunity to follow the proceedings live through the Gert Sibande District Municipality's official page, further promoting transparency, accountability and public participation in local government affairs.

Earlier in the day, the Speaker of Council, presided over the swearing-in ceremony of Cllr LNP Nkosi as a new member of the GSDM Council. Cllr Nkosi, representing the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), was sworn in to fill the vacancy created by the departure of Cllr TH Kgwedi and was subsequently formally introduced to Council by the Speaker during the sitting.

The municipality remains committed to the principles of accountable governance, collaborative leadership and sustainable development as it concludes the current term and prepares for the next phase of local government. ~ENDS~

Pictured (from left): The GSDM Troika, District Executive Mayor, Cllr Walter Mngomezulu; Speaker of Council, Cllr Busisiwe Sekhonde; and Whip of Council, Cllr Bhekabantu Mtshali. Photo: GSDM Archives (July 2026).

ISSUED BY
GSDM COMMUNICATIONS.
22 October 2026

Media Enquiries:
Bongi Ka Dube, Tel: 017 801 7000
Email: [email protected]

22/10/2026

Get safety tips from snakes during this hot weather from MTPA snake Catcher and Senior Conversation, live on Rise Fm

22/10/2026

📢 HAPPENING TOMORROW | NATIONAL POSITIVE MASCULINITY CAMPAIGN LAUNCH

The National Positive Masculinity Campaign will be officially launched in Mpumalanga under the theme: “Real Men & Boys Build, Protect and Transform.”

🗓️ Date: Friday, 23 October 2026
⏰ Time: 09:00
📍 Venue: Elshaddai Praise Centre, Ermelo Gert Sibande District Municipality

The programme will commence with a GBVF Awareness Walk, followed by the National Launch Programme.

The campaign seeks to promote positive masculinity and encourage men and boys to become active partners in preventing Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), building safer communities and fostering a culture of respect, equality and accountability.

Real men and boys stand against GBVF. Together, let us build, protect and transform our communities!

21/10/2026

[IN PHOTOS]: Today, 21 October, Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) Council Speaker, Cllr BG Sekhonde had the pleasure of welcoming Cllr LNP Nkosi as a new member of the GSDM Council in a swearing-in ceremony held at the GSDM Speaker's Chambers, GSDM Office Complex in Ermelo, Msukaligwa Local Municipality.
Cllr Nkosi is a directly elected public representative of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and replaces Cllr TH Kgwedi.
Cllr Sekhonde and Mr Mzwakhe Madonsela (Senior Manager: Legal Services) officiated at the swearing-in ceremony.

21/10/2026

[IN PHOTOS]: Today, 21 October, Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) Council Speaker, Cllr BG Sekhonde convened the last ordinary council meeting for the current administration at the GSDM Office Complex in Ermelo, Msukaligwa Local Municipality.
The proceedings of the sitting were broadcast live on this page.

21/10/2026

Ordinary GSDM Council Meeting- 21 October 2026

21/10/2026

Ordinary GSDM Council Meeting

20/10/2026

GSDM SPEAKER OF COUNCIL CLLR BUSISWE SEKHONDE LEADS VOTER EDUCATION CAMPAIGN IN LEKWA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM), through the Office of the Speaker, led by Speaker of Council Cllr Busiswe Sekhonde, continued its voter education programme on 20 October 2026 at Enyamazameni, Lekwa Local Municipality.

The programme was attended by elderly people and aimed to raise awareness about the importance of participating in the upcoming Local Government Elections scheduled for 4 November 2026.

The initiative seeks to empower eligible voters with the knowledge they need to participate meaningfully in the electoral process and make informed decisions when choosing their local government representatives. The participation of elderly people highlighted the importance of ensuring that all eligible voters have access to voter education and understand their democratic rights.

Your vote, your voice, your future!

GSDM calls on all eligible voters to take an active role in the upcoming Local Government Elections. Make your voice count by participating in the electoral process, encouraging others to do the same, and helping shape the future of our communities through informed and active participation.

20/10/2026

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MTPA URGES THE PUBLIC TO BE VIGILANT AS HOT WEATHER INCREASES SNAKE ACTIVITY.