‘Dr Mothamaha Has Stabilised Ngwathe’: ANCYL NEC Member Babiki de Wet Defends Municipal Manager Against Political Attacks
Parys – African National Congress Youth League National Executive Committee member and ANC Fezile Dabi Regional Working Committee member Babiki de Wet has hailed Ngwathe Local Municipality Manager Dr Futhuli Mothamaha as a beacon of strong leadership, crediting him with turning around the area’s service delivery and bringing much-needed stability. In an exclusive interview with Central News, de Wet praised Mothamaha’s hands-on approach and dedication, which have led to real improvements in water, roads, electricity, and community support. This glowing endorsement comes as Mothamaha continues to drive positive change in Ngwathe, backed by Executive Mayor Cllr Victoria De Beer-Mthombeni, showing a united front focused on better lives for residents in towns like Parys, Tumahole, Vredefort, Mokwallo, Heilbron, Phiritona, Koppies, Kwakwatsi, and Edenville.
De Wet’s words highlight Mothamaha’s role in rebuilding trust and efficiency, positioning him as a key figure in local government’s success story.
Exceptional Leadership Bringing Visible Progress
In his interview, de Wet lauded Mothamaha’s impact since taking office, noting how his results-focused style has lifted the municipality. “Since assuming office as the Municipal Manager of Ngwathe Local Municipality, Dr. Futhuli Mothamaha has demonstrated exceptional administrative leadership and a results-driven approach that has significantly improved the functioning of the municipality. His tenure has been marked by visible progress, strategic interventions and a strengthened commitment to service delivery for the people of Ngwathe,” he said.
De Wet pointed to key wins in vital areas. “Under his guidance, the municipality has made substantial improvements in critical areas such as water services, infrastructure maintenance, and the overall responsiveness to service delivery challenges. Long-standing issues that had negatively affected communities are now being addressed through structured plans, improved oversight, and stronger operational systems. These interventions reflect a leadership style grounded in accountability, efficiency, and a genuine commitment to community well-being,” he added.
He described the municipality as stronger and more united under Mothamaha. “Administratively, Ngwathe Local Municipality is more stable, better coordinated, and aligned with the principles of good governance. Dr. Mothamaha has instilled discipline within the administrative environment, resulting in improved staff morale, enhanced internal controls, and a clear focus on achieving sustainable service delivery outcomes.”
De Wet also addressed outside pressures, standing firm in support. “It is concerning that certain media houses, including Sunday World, have been used to advance narratives that seek to tarnish the name and integrity of Dr. Mothamaha. Equally troubling are claims that state agencies such as the Hawks are being drawn into political disputes by individuals who aim to settle personal scores through institutional misuse. Such actions undermine the rule of law and distract from the meaningful progress that has been achieved under his leadership,” he stated.
Closing on a high note, de Wet expressed full backing. “The positive transformation within Ngwathe Local Municipality stands as evidence of Dr. Mothamaha’s dedication, experience, and leadership capability. Despite attempts to derail this progress through politically motivated attacks, his record of performance speaks for itself. The community continues to benefit from the stability and improved service delivery brought about by his administration. We remain confident in Dr. Mothamaha’s ability to continue steering the municipality toward greater efficiency, transparency, and development for all residents of Ngwathe,” he said.
Leadership Driving Real Change in Ngwathe
Dr Mothamaha, with his strong background in public administration and governance, has reaffirmed his dedication to putting service delivery first. Backed by Executive Mayor Cllr Victoria De Beer-Mthombeni, he has stressed that basics like water, electricity, roads, and waste collection are key to restoring dignity and hope for residents. This focus has led to clear progress over the past two years, with new tools and projects cutting costs and speeding up help for everyday needs.
Under Mothamaha’s guidance, Ngwathe has set strong goals: making services a top aim, building skills and systems for better accountability, promoting self-reliance with owned equipment, encouraging community input, and linking local work to national goals for a better life for all. He has put these into action through regular site visits, team coordination, and monthly reports tracking success, risks, and fixes. Working hand-in-hand with the Mayor, Mothamaha has turned council plans into real improvements that people can see.
Executive Mayor De Beer-Mthombeni has backed this fully, noting how fixing basics like water and lights shows true care for people. Her support has helped revive key departments and roll out projects that answer community calls from ward meetings and visits.
Major Wins in Service Delivery Over Two Years
Since Mothamaha took charge, Ngwathe has made big strides in fixing old problems and building strength. In water services, standout work includes a 1.97km pipeline in Koppies and Kwakwatsi, bringing steady supply to homes after over 20 years of waits. In Tumahole’s Mandela section, a borehole has given quick access, while a 15km bulk line is 99% done. Other advances: 57% on replacing old pipes in Parys, 38% on upgrading the Parys Water Treatment Works, and 52% on a bulk line from Koppies to Edenville. In Heilbron and Phiritona, new pipelines and a 3km sanitation network are underway, plus upgrades in Vredefort with a 4ML reservoir. These have restored water to areas like B Location, Zone 6 Top, Mandela, Tokoloho, Zuma, and Small Farm since early 2025. Boreholes were fixed in Vredefort with partners, lifting quality to safe levels. Overall, more homes now get water close by, with goals to connect even more and cut losses by 25% through fixes.
Electricity and lighting have improved greatly too. A wide programme fixed street and high-mast lights across towns, making nights safer, helping shops, and drawing visitors. Losses dropped step by step, aiming for 15.8% by year-end. Hundreds of homes got grid links, like 357 in Mokwallo Extension 4 (96% done), 224 in Extension 7 (70%), and plans for 361 in Parys. A donated substation will soon connect 2,000 in Vredefort Extensions 4 and 7, showing how teamwork speeds things up.
Roads and stormwater fixes have eased daily woes. Teams patched 40,000 square metres of potholes, built drainage, and kept gravel roads clear. Projects include a 2km paved road in Mokwallo, 1km in Tumahole, a bridge in Phiritona and Sandersville, and a pedestrian bridge. These help during rains and make getting around easier.
Waste management got new life with better tools and routines. A refuse truck in Mokwallo and Vredefort improved pick-ups and cut dumping. Nine spots were cleared, and four campaigns kept towns clean. Sanitation advanced with a 3km network in Phiritona and Heilbron, plus upgrades to Vredefort’s treatment works.
Traffic services returned after nearly 10 years, with new vehicles from June 2025 boosting safety and cutting accidents. A 12-month training for 27 youth in traffic and law gives skills and pay, creating jobs and future strength.
Community access grew with the Tumahole office reopening in Parys for electricity buys, bills, aid, and queries close to home. Mothamaha’s talks, like a September 2024 meeting with groups on water and lights, built trust and encouraged paying for services to fund more wins.
Fleet growth cut outsourcing, with buys like a honeysucker truck (13 December 2024), cherry picker (12 November 2024), TLB (19 October 2024), plus 13 bakkies, two more cherry pickers, three compactors, and another TLB. These let teams act fast and save for other needs.
Economic steps include talks on solar for electric vehicles and a wind farm in Edenville. The Parys Mega Development promises growth and jobs. Fire teams handled 408 calls with a strong fleet, and six security officers boosted controls.
Staff shine with high qualifications like PhDs, showing a skilled team under Mothamaha.
Tackling Hurdles with Smart Solutions
Mothamaha has been upfront about challenges like old systems, tight money, past bad deals, public needs, and skill gaps. His fixes focus on repairs first, like leaks in pipelines and works. To ease funds, he pushes fair billing while helping the poor, uses traffic cash for projects, fixes billing, and gets grants. Contracts now have tough rules and close watches, with quick fixes for delays. For input, better systems and “blitz days” ensure fast help. Training, rewards, and sharing know-how keep talent.
Ngwathe leads the province in grant use, drawing extra cash for jobs in infrastructure and more – 562 created so far.
Bright Promises Ahead
Looking forward, Mothamaha pledges faster fixes with ward times, clear project plans, strong performance checks, better community links through forums, tight money controls, service-first teams, and tech for tracking and billing.
Mayor De Beer-Mthombeni backs this with focuses on water, lights, potholes, waste, more points, and fair rules. She promises visits, updates, and programmes for youth, women, and others.
