The eThekwini Municipality’s ward committee quarterly assessment outcome between October and December 2025 revealed that 65 were not functional, according to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA). This was presented at a council meeting by the Speaker in the municipality, Councillor Thabani Nyawose.
The municipality currently has 111 wards; however, this will expand to 112 wards for the 2026 local government elections following a Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) process. The assessment report indicated that, based on the functionality assessment tool, 46 committees were deemed functional. The remainder, 65, were considered non-functional.
Ward Committee Functionality Assessment
The common reasons for such an outcome are recorded as follows: inadequate training, lack of resources, and poor communication. Nyawose said the assessment outcome would be communicated to all ward councillors for awareness relative to indicators that were not achieved with a view to addressing such issues to improve at the next upcoming assessment for the current quarter, quarter between January and March 2026.
According to the municipality, ward committees are established by law to foster participatory governance. They enable the local community to actively engage with the municipality’s affairs by providing input and feedback on its programmes, plans, budget, and performance. For more information on ward committees, visit the eThekwini Municipality website.
Improving Ward Committee Functionality
To improve ward committee functionality, the municipality plans to provide additional training and resources to ward councillors. This will enable them to effectively engage with the local community and address issues that affect them. Some of the key areas of focus include:
- Enhancing communication between ward councillors and the local community
- Providing training on governance and leadership
- Improving access to resources and funding
The municipality is also working to establish partnerships with local organizations and stakeholders to support ward committee functionality. For example, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is providing support and guidance to ward committees.
