Under a warm Dundee sky, the Mayoral Excellence Awards – Magic Class of 2025 unfolded as more than a ceremony; it was a celebration of a community that chose excellence together.

Led by His Worship the Mayor, Cllr A.M. Mkhize, and inspired by keynote reflections from Dr Andile Biyela, the day honoured the dedication and hard work of learners whose efforts contributed to an impressive academic year.

While the brilliant learners received their well-deserved recognition, the spotlight also shone on the dedicated educators…

In the 2025 matric results, the Umzinyathi District posted a strong performance with an overall pass rate of 88.8%, reflecting significant achievement and improvement in learner outcomes. Several schools within the district celebrated exceptional results, with top performers achieving outstanding pass rates that stood as a testament to perseverance and quality teaching.

The occasion was further elevated by the presence of the Mayors of Emadlangeni, Nqutu, and Umzinyathi, who each shared powerful messages of encouragement and support, reinforcing a united leadership committed to educational excellence across the district. While the brilliant learners received their well-deserved recognition, the spotlight also shone on the dedicated educators and best-performing schools whose tireless efforts created the conditions for success. These awards celebrated teachers who guided, motivated, and inspired, and schools that nurtured environments where young minds could thrive.

Adding soul and energy to the programme was the multi-talented Ps Lungi, whose inspiring contributions stirred the atmosphere and set the tone for a memorable celebration. It was a day that reminded everyone present that success is built together—by learners who persevere, educators who guide, schools that uplift, and leaders who believe in the power of education.

The opening of the SALGA KZN DSAC Games 2025 has officially set the stage for a thrilling weekend of non-stop sporting action, proudly hosted by uMgungundlovu District Municipality.

This year, Umzinyathi Team participants are 382 and 235 are proudly from Endumeni Local Municipality, Mayor announced with so much excitement and gratitude that young people from Endumeni are very active in sports initiatives and wished them well in these games.

Naw’Endumeni awumncinyane!!!

Ward 6 Councillor Shelembe of Endumeni Local Municipality successfully hosted a 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children outreach and peaceful march on 11 December 2025. The event was held at Craigside Hall, where community members gathered in large numbers to show their support for the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).

This year’s campaign was held under the inspiring theme:

“Men, women, boys and girls working together to end gender-based violence.”

The programme began with a peaceful march aimed at raising awareness, educating the community, and delivering a strong, united message calling for an end to violence in all forms. Participants walked through the community streets, demonstrating solidarity and commitment to protecting women and children.

Several important stakeholders joined the event to educate and engage community members, including representatives from:

• Department of Social Development

• Legal Aid South Africa

• IEC

• Public Constituency Office

• Community Safety and Liaison and other community partners

Each organisation shared valuable information on safety, legal rights, available support services, and the importance of reporting abuse.

In his closing remarks, Councillor Shelembe expressed gratitude to the people of Ward 6 for their strong turnout and continued dedication to creating a safer community. He encouraged residents to remain vigilant, protect women and children, and report any form of abuse immediately.

The event concluded with a renewed sense of unity and determination to confront and end gender-based violence in the community.

Young tech minds at work. This is how things are shaping up at the tech games station in Linpark High School.

#SALGAKZNDSACGames2025

#BringTheHeat

#PlayWithPride

#UnityThroughSport

UMgungundlovu District Municipality | EThekwini Municipality | Ugu District Municipality | Harry Gwala District Municipality | Umkhanyakude District Municipality | UThukela District Municipality | iLembe District Municipality | Umzinyathi District Municipality | Amajuba District Municipality | King Cetshwayo District Municipality | Zululand District Municipality-ZDM

UMzinyathi ubuye nendondo kwi-Basket Ball Female njengoba ibe nguChampion. Yalala isine komasipala abawu-11 abebebambe iqhaza .UMhlonishwa uMeya ubongele wonke ama-codes abemele uMzinyathi esho khona ukuthi lemiphumela besingeke siyithole ngaphandle kwabo ababambe iqhaza. Isiyonke imiphumela yama-Salga ihambe kanje.

Athletics

3. Amajuba

2. King Cetshwayo

1. EThekwini

Basketball Female

3. Mgungundlovu

2.Ethekwini

1. Umzinyathi

Basketball Males

3. Amajuba

2. Umzinyathi

1. Ethekwini

Boxing

3. Umzinyathi

2. King Cetshwayo

1. Ethekwini

Chess

3. Amajuba

2. llembe

1. Ethekwini

Dance

3. King Cetshwayo

2. Zululand

1. Ethekwini

Football Females

3. No winner

2. Ugu

1. Ethekwini

Football Males

3. Ugu

2. Umgungundlovu

1. King Cetshwayo

Indigenous Games

3. Umzinyathi

2. Ethekwini

1. King cetshwayo

Karate Full-Contact

3. llembe

2. Ugu

1. Ethekwini

Karate Semi Contact

3. Umgungundlovu

2. Zululand

1. Ugu

Netball Males

3. Umgugundlovu

2. King Cetshwayo

1. Ethekwini

Netball females

3. Harry Gwala

2. King Cetshwayo

1. Ethekwini

Rugby Males

3. Zululand

2. Umzinyathi

1. Amajuba

Rugby Females

3. Zululand

2. King Cetshwayo

1. Ethekwini

Swimming

3. King Cetshwayo

2. Ugu

1. Ethekwini

Table Tennis

3. Mzinyathi & Thukela

2. Ethekwini

1. Umgungundlovu

Tennis

3. UMgungundlovu

2. King Cetshwayo

1. Thekwini

Volley ball Males

3. King Cetshwayo

2. UMkhanyakude

1. Dispute between King Cetshwayo and Ethekwini

Volley Ball Females

3. Ugu

2. King Cetshwayo

1. Umkhanyakude

Overall winners

Best organized District -Amajuba

Organized Federation -Karate KZN

Overall results

11. Uthukela

10. Umkhanyakude

9. Harry Gwala

8. Ilembe

7. Zululand

6. UMgungundlovu

5. Amajuba

4. Umzinyathi

3. King Cetshwayo

2. Ugu

1. Ethekwini

Today marks the third day of the ongoing search for a 35-year-old woman who was swept away during the heavy rains and flooding that engulfed Endumeni on Saturday evening. The incident occurred in Ward 4, where severe stormwater flows led to her being swept away.

His Worship the Mayor, Cllr. A.M. Mkhize, together with Ward Councillor Andile Nsibande and other Municipal Councillors, are on the ground supporting the SAPS Search and Rescue Unit, the Disaster Management Team, and all other stakeholders involved in this difficult operation. The family of the missing woman, along with concerned community members, remain present and hopeful as the search continues.

Specialised K9 Units from Vryheid and Richards Bay have also joined the operation, working tirelessly alongside all teams to assist in locating the missing woman.

The Municipality extends its sincere gratitude to every member of the search teams for their commitment, cooperation, and resilience. Our thoughts remain with the family during this painful and uncertain time, and we urge the community to keep them in their prayers.

Further updates will be provided as new information becomes available.

His Worship the Mayor, Cllr. AM Mkhize, began the Service Delivery Initiative Project Site Visits yesterday and continued with the programme today across the wards ensuring strong oversight and progress on key community projects.

The Mayor’s visits focused on:

Wasbank Library
Kwathelaphi Gravel Roads
Herodi Gravel Road

These ongoing site visits highlight the municipality’s commitment to accountability, improved service delivery, and making sure that all projects meet the expectations of our communities.

Together, we are building a better and well-developed Endumeni.

#EndumeniLocalMunicipality #ServiceDelivery #MayorMkhize #ProjectMonitoring #CommunityDevelopment