Mnquma Municipality brings services under one roof with new headquarters

The Mnquma Municipality has officially opened its new R200m municipal headquarters in Butterworth, bringing departments previously spread across multiple buildings under one roof. The building, named after pioneering journalist and cleric Tiyo Soga, was funded from the municipality’s own revenue and completed within budget over a two-year period. The opening ceremony on Tuesday was attended by premier Oscar Mabuyane, municipal officials, traditional leaders and members of the Soga family.

Mabuyane said the project demonstrated what municipalities could achieve through sound financial management and effective governance. The municipality recently received its fourth consecutive clean audit. “It reflects discipline, sound financial management, effective oversight and a commitment to ensuring that public resources are utilised for their intended purpose,” Mabuyane said.

“At a time when local government across the country faces significant challenges, Mnquma continues to get the basics right. “Clean governance matters because it builds public trust, it gives confidence to residents, investors and development partners. “Most importantly, it creates the conditions necessary for improved service delivery.” Mnquma is one of the Eastern Cape’s smaller municipalities by population and budget, making the completion of a major infrastructure project from its own revenue notable while many municipalities are battling financial and governance challenges.