22/10/2026
MEDIA STATEMENT BY EXECUTIVE MAYOR CLLR MARTHA BARTLETT
RE: EXECUTIVE MAYOR WELCOMES MAJOR SANITATION INVESTMENT
In a historic move, the Executive Mayor of Sol Plaatje Municipality, Cllr Martha Bartlett, has welcomed the R608 623 million allocation through the Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) towards sanitation infrastructure, describing it as a significant
milestone in the municipality’s ongoing efforts to address critical infrastructure needs, reduce sanitation backlogs and improve the quality of life of residents.
The investment presents an important opportunity to accelerate sanitation infrastructure development, strengthen the municipality’s response to longstanding service delivery challenges and advance access to reliable, sustainable and dignified
sanitation services across affected communities.
For Sol Plaatje Municipality, this milestone represents more than a financial allocation.
It provides an opportunity to strengthen essential public infrastructure, protect public
health, improve living conditions and advance sustainable municipal development. It also underscores the importance of continued investment in local government infrastructure and effective cooperation between national, provincial and local
government.
The Executive Mayor highlighted that the significance of this investment will ultimately
be measured by its impact on residents and the improvements it brings to communities experiencing sanitation infrastructure challenges.
“The allocation of R608 623 million towards sanitation infrastructure represents an
important opportunity for Sol Plaatje Municipality to strengthen essential services, address infrastructure backlogs and improve the living conditions of our residents.
We welcome this investment and recognise the responsibility that comes with ensuring
that it translates into tangible and lasting benefits for our communities,” said Executive
Mayor Bartlett.
The Executive Mayor further accentuated that the allocation must be accompanied by
effective planning, appropriate technical capacity, sound financial management and rigorous project oversight to ensure that infrastructure projects are implemented in accordance with approved objectives and applicable governance requirements.
The Executive Mayor noted that close cooperation with the relevant national and provincial government departments will be essential to support effective
implementation, address potential obstacles and ensure that the investment achieves its intended developmental outcomes.
The Executive Mayor calls upon all relevant stakeholders, including government departments, municipal officials, implementing agents, contractors and community structures, to work collectively to ensure that this investment results in measurable
improvements in sanitation services.
The Executive Mayor beseeched that the municipality must approach implementation
with urgency, accountability and a clear focus on results.
Public infrastructure funding must be managed responsibly, projects must be monitored consistently, and any implementation challenges must be addressed timeously to prevent unnecessary
delays.
Residents also have a legitimate interest in understanding how this investment will
improve services in their communities therefore, transparent communication, regular
progress reporting and appropriate stakeholder engagement will form part of the
implementation process.
“Our residents must ultimately experience the difference that this investment is
intended to make. We cannot measure success by the announcement of funding
alone.
Success must be reflected in improved sanitation infrastructure, better living
conditions and services that respond to the needs of our communities,” the Executive
Mayor emphasised.
The municipality will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders to support
effective implementation, strengthen accountability and ensure that the intended
benefits of sanitation.
The Executive Mayor reiterated the municipality’s commitment to strengthening
intergovernmental cooperation, advancing infrastructure development and placing the
needs of residents at the centre of its service delivery priorities, she further
emphasised that sustainable development requires more than funding.
It demands
responsible leadership, effective implementation, transparent governance and a
shared commitment to improving the lives of the people the municipality serves.
“This is an important milestone for Sol Plaatje Municipality. Our responsibility now is
to turn this investment into a lasting legacy of improved sanitation, restored dignity
and sustainable service delivery.
The true historic achievement will be realised when
our residents experience meaningful improvements in their everyday lives,” said
Executive Mayor Bartlett.
Issued by the office of the Executive Mayor, Councillor Martha Bartlett
For Enquiries:
Ms Keobakile Musunse
Media Liaison Officer
Email: [email protected]/053 830 6203