Message From The Mayor

Dannhauser Local Municipality, located in the rural heart of the Amajuba
District, is a community shaped by its coal mining sector, which plays a crucial
role in driving our local economy. The mining industry provides vital
employment opportunities and serves as a cornerstone for economic
development. However, alongside the benefits of mining, our municipality faces
significant challenges, including youth unemployment, poverty, and crime,
which continue to affect the well-being of our community.
The municipality is fully committed to addressing these challenges through
various targeted interventions. One of our primary focuses is tackling youth
unemployment. To this end, we will be launching a comprehensive skills
development program designed to equip young people with the skills needed to
access meaningful employment. This initiative is crucial for building capacity
among our youth and providing them with long-term opportunities for growth.
In addition, we are committed to supporting rural agriculture, a sector with great
potential to drive sustainable economic growth, improve food security, and
create jobs. By empowering our community, particularly the youth, with
agricultural knowledge and resources, we aim to enhance local livelihoods and
build a more resilient economy.
We also recognize the impact of substance abuse on our community, and we
are focused on using sports as a positive tool to engage our youth. By making
sports more fashionable and accessible, we can provide an alternative to drug
abuse, encouraging healthier lifestyles, discipline, and a sense of belonging
among young people.
The municipality is also dedicated to ensuring that mining companies give back
to the community through their Social Labour Plans (SLPs). These plans are
designed to ensure that the benefits of mining extend beyond just employment,
contributing to the overall development of the community. We will continue to
advocate for and monitor the implementation of these plans, ensuring that theyaddress local needs such as infrastructure development, education, and
healthcare.
Local Economic Development (LED) remains a key priority in our strategic
efforts. We will continue to implement programs that drive economic growth,
reduce unemployment, and improve living standards. Furthermore, we
understand the importance of aligning our organizational structure with our
strategic goals, ensuring that we have the capacity to effectively address these
challenges.
Given the current global economic slowdown, fiscal discipline is more important
than ever. We will continue to cut unnecessary expenditure, enhance our
revenue base through a more efficient rating system, and implement stronger
credit control measures to ensure financial sustainability.
Looking forward, we are excited about the upcoming relocation to a new
municipal building. This move will create a more collaborative and efficient work
environment, enabling us to better serve the needs of our community. With
these combined efforts, we are confident that we can create a more productive,
prosperous, and harmonious Dannhauser.