City of Matlosana Champions Service Delivery Through Debt Relief and Housing Support
- Karen Scheepers
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
The City of Matlosana Local Municipality has announced significant advancements in its commitment to improving the financial stability and quality of life for its residents, coupling substantial Eskom debt relief with targeted Human Settlements interventions for vulnerable community members. These efforts, spearheaded by key municipal officials, demonstrate a concerted drive toward sustainable service delivery and the promotion of human dignity.
Financial Relief Secures Service Delivery Focus
The City of Matlosana has formally acknowledged and welcomed the recent announcement regarding the Eskom Municipal Debt Relief Programme, which is set to significantly alleviate the municipality’s financial burden. This pivotal initiative has seen the City benefit from a one-third write-off of its approved outstanding debt, forming part of the total R3.5 billion processed by Eskom for 11 qualifying municipalities in November 2025.
The Municipal Manager of the City of Matlosana, Ms. Lesego Seametso, and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Ms. Mercy Phetla, confirmed that the City has received a substantial debt relief amount of R470,276,976.50. This massive financial injection of relief is expected to be reflected in the municipality's next Eskom invoices.
Ms. Seametso stated that the initiative is critical in “alleviating financial pressures on municipal services.” The municipality has further committed to ensuring that the debt relief is managed transparently, with the resulting savings to be strictly directed toward essential service delivery and community development projects. By freeing up funds previously earmarked for debt servicing, the City of Matlosana can now enhance its capacity to address critical infrastructure needs, improve basic services, and invest in community-based initiatives, thereby translating financial relief directly into tangible community benefits.
Human Rights Day Focuses on Secure Housing for Vulnerable Residents
In parallel with the critical financial restructuring, the City of Matlosana’s Department of Human Settlements provided a heart-warming display of support on International Human Rights Day (10 December 2025), focusing on the fundamental right to adequate shelter.
The initiative saw the Department partner with Dilemopumo Construction and Training and New Age to intervene directly in the lives of two vulnerable residents of Kanana: Ms. Sizakhele Nhlapho and 78-year-old Ms. Martha Duiker.
A team of municipal officials, including the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Planning and Human Settlements, Cllr Portia Mtshawulana, CFO Ms. Mercy Phetla, and Acting Deputy Director of Human Settlements, Mr. Maje, were on site to hand over the keys to a secure and decent living space.
Ms. Sizakhele Nhlapho, who has been facing significant challenges due to her disability and inadequate living conditions, received the keys to a new, decent shack, providing her with a safe and dignified home.
Ms. Martha Duiker (78), whose existing home was suffering from a cracked roof, leaking floors, and collapsing walls that posed a serious risk to her safety and health, received necessary repairs to ensure she can enjoy her golden years in a safe and secure haven.
The intervention underscores the municipality’s dedication to promoting inclusivity and a better quality of life for all residents, particularly those who are elderly or living with disabilities. The immediate and tangible assistance provided on Human Rights Day served as a powerful reminder of the municipality’s mandate to support the most vulnerable members of the community and uphold their right to dignity and shelter.
Advancing Municipal Mandates for Community Well-being
The dual focus on fiscal responsibility, as demonstrated by the strategic management of the Eskom debt relief, and social responsibility, evidenced by the proactive Human Settlements interventions, positions the City of Matlosana as a municipality actively committed to its core mandate. The combined effort ensures that while the municipality works to secure its long-term financial health, it is simultaneously addressing the immediate and pressing needs of its most disadvantaged residents.
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