When the Free State High Court ordered the dissolution of the Ngwathe Municipal Council in June 2025, many outsiders quickly concluded that our municipality was beyond redemption.

The judgment found that Ngwathe had failed to meet its constitutional obligations and called for provincial intervention under section 139. Residents of Parys, Heilbron, Koppies, Vredefort and Edenville had long felt the heavy weight of historical neglect and collapsing infrastructure.

In February 2026, AfriForum celebrated what they called a “decisive win” and insisted that dissolution was non-negotiable. They painted a picture of a completely failed municipality.

Their activism often hides behind legal language.

I am speaking as a resident and activist who has watched our municipality fight its way back from the edge of collapse.

The administration under former mayor Victoria de Beer-Mthombeni and Municipal Manager Dr Futhuli Mothamaha — whom the municipality council appointed — inherited a local government in chaos.

Basic services were failing across all five towns, senior posts stood vacant for years, financial records were in disarray, and community trust had almost disappeared. Yet instead of retreating or looking for scapegoats, this administration got to work with determination.

 In the past five years, from 2021 to 2026, Ngwathe has implemented the most ambitious programme of infrastructure renewal, service restoration and governance reform in our recent history, addressing issues the court highlighted. This opinion piece offers an account of progress.

 My aim is not to deny the real failures of the past but to celebrate the concrete strides made and to call on everyone — including critics — to acknowledge what has been achieved and to build on it for the benefit of all our people.

The Inheritance: A Municipality at the Graveyard

Before we celebrate the achievements, we must understand exactly what De Beer-Mthombeni’s administration inherited.

Municipalities placed under administration often suffer further collapse because appointed caretakers from outside take a long time to understand local conditions, political realities and community dynamics, and they often lack real accountability to the people on the ground. When Victoria took office, Ngwathe was on the brink of total collapse. Streets were dark at night, water seldom flowed from taps, financial records were chaotic, and critical senior posts remained vacant for far too long. As one observer rightly noted, this administration “headed this Municipality when it was already at the graveyard”, but still fought with everything they had to revive it. I take my hat off to them for refusing to surrender and for proving that visionary, committed leadership can still make a profound difference even in the most difficult circumstances.

The problems did not begin with this administration. They were the result of years of accumulated neglect, under-investment and weak governance that predated the current ANC-led council. This team took over a broken system and chose to confront it head-on rather than make excuses. That choice deserves recognition.

Addressing the Court Order’s Concerns

The High Court’s order cited failures in service delivery, leadership instability, by‑law enforcement and financial management.  While those criticisms were valid at the time, the progress outlined above demonstrates that Ngwathe has acted decisively to rectify the problems:

1.     Water quality and sewerage.  The municipality has upgraded water and wastewater infrastructure, replaced asbestos pipes, installed bulk pipelines and secured Blue Drop corrective action approval.

2.     Electricity and service reliability.  Electrification programmes have connected hundreds of households, and the new Vredefort substation will connect 2 000 more.  The municipal fleet expansion ensures faster responses to faults.

3.     Governance.  Permanent appointments of senior managers and legal advisors have stabilised administration and improved compliance.  A fully funded budget and improved grant performance reflect financial recovery.

4.     By‑law enforcement and public safety.  The resuscitated traffic unit and appointment of security officers strengthen law enforcement.

5.     Economic development and job creation.  Renewable energy projects, mixed‑use developments and infrastructure upgrades are creating thousands of jobs.  This growth will broaden the tax base and enhance municipal revenue.

Conclusion: Building on Progress and Protecting Our Gains

Ngwathe still faces real challenges. Financial constraints, ageing infrastructure and the deep legacy of past mismanagement will not disappear overnight. But it would be dishonest and unfair to ignore the significant progress achieved under the leadership of Executive Mayor Cllr Victoria de Beer-Mthombeni and Municipal Manager Dr Futhuli Mothamaha over the past five years. The municipality has:

•  Replaced 15 km of asbestos water pipes, refurbished treatment works and built new bulk pipelines reaching 99 percent completion, including the critical Koppies to Edenville link and the 1.97 km Kwakwatsi pipeline.

•  Installed boreholes and restored water to communities that had been without supply for decades.

•  Upgraded wastewater treatment works, started new reservoirs and expanded sanitation networks.

•  Electrified 740 households and installed new substations while restoring street and high-mast lighting across all towns.

•  Purchased a full municipal fleet, including refuse trucks, a honeysucker, bakkies, TLB and cherry picker,s to improve response times and end over-reliance on outsourcing.

•  Revived the Traffic Department after nearly a decade, unveiled new vehicles and created a learnership for 27 young people.

•  Attracted major private investment, including the Sedibe and Damlaagte solar projects and the Parys Mega Development with its hotel, truck stop and related infrastructure in the Vaal de Grace area, creating thousands of jobs.

•  Supported around 200 local entrepreneurs through the LED directorate with equipment and business development support, with a strong focus on youth and women.

•  Presented fully funded budgets, filled critical senior management posts, improved financial oversight and achieved an approved Blue Drop corrective action plan.

•  Launched a trained Red Cross-linked disaster management volunteer brigade and continued support for local NPOs, including the Edgar Legoale Foundation.

These achievements are not just numbers on paper. They translate into real improvements in the daily lives of our people. Children in Tumahole now drink clean water without walking long distances. Young entrepreneurs in Heilbron and Parys have access to machines and start-up support. Elders in Parys can walk down well-lit streets at night with greater peace of mind. Job seekers in Mokwallo and Vredefort are training as traffic officers or solar technicians. These changes restore dignity, create hope and lay the foundation for a more prosperous future.

With unity, continued accountability, community participation and sustained investment, Ngwathe can move from a story of struggle and failure to one of genuine rebirth, pride and shared prosperity. Let us keep the lights on, keep the water flowing, keep our streets clean and safe, and keep creating opportunities for our young people. The people of Ngwathe deserve nothing less.