Mamusa Local Municipality

Mamusa Local Municipality Geographic and Administrative Background

Mamusa Local Municipality covers an area of approximately 3,615 square kilometers. The municipality is mainly rural and is situated in the western part of the North West Province. The town of Schweizer-Reneke serves as the administrative seat of the municipality. Other key settlements include Amalia, Migdol, and Glaudina.

Mamusa is bordered by other local municipalities, including Lekwa-Teemane, Greater Taung, and Naledi municipalities. Its location places it within a predominantly agricultural region with moderate rainfall and relatively flat terrain.

Demographics and Population

According to the 2011 Census (with projections based on annual growth), Mamusa had a population of approximately 60,000 people. The population is predominantly Black African (over 90%), with small minorities of Coloured, Indian/Asian, and White residents. The main languages spoken are Setswana, Afrikaans, and Xhosa, with Setswana being the most widely spoken mother tongue.

The population is youthful, with a large percentage under the age of 35. This presents both an opportunity and a challenge for local development: there is a potential labor force, but also high levels of youth unemployment and demand for education and social services.

Political and Administrative Structure

Mamusa operates under a municipal council system, which is composed of elected ward councillors and proportional representation (PR) councillors. The municipality is governed by the African National Congress (ANC) as the dominant political party, although opposition parties such as the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) also have a presence.

The council is responsible for making decisions on service delivery, budget allocations, local development initiatives, and policy formulation. The administrative head of the municipality is the Municipal Manager, who oversees the implementation of council resolutions and daily operations.

The municipality has been placed under administration multiple times in the past due to issues related to governance, financial mismanagement, and failure to provide basic services consistently. This has affected its reputation and performance.

Economy and Employment

Mamusa’s economy is largely dependent on agriculture, with crop farming and livestock production being the primary activities. The region produces maize, sunflowers, sorghum, and groundnuts. Livestock farming, particularly cattle and sheep, is also significant, contributing to both subsistence and commercial farming.

There is a small manufacturing sector, mainly related to food processing and agricultural services. Retail, education, and public administration are other notable sectors providing employment.

However, the municipality faces high levels of unemployment, especially among the youth. Job creation is hindered by limited industrial development, poor infrastructure, and under-investment by both the public and private sectors.

Infrastructure and Service Delivery

Infrastructure in Mamusa varies between urban and rural areas. In Schweizer-Reneke, there is relatively better access to basic services such as water, sanitation, electricity, and roads. However, in outlying areas like Amalia and Migdol, residents often face challenges such as:

• Limited access to clean water

• Poor road conditions

• Inadequate sanitation facilities

• Electricity supply interruptions

• Underdeveloped public transport

The municipality has been criticized for service delivery protests that have occasionally turned violent. Issues raised typically include poor maintenance of infrastructure, corruption allegations, and lack of accountability.

Education and Health Services

Mamusa has a number of primary and secondary schools. The Department of Education manages public schooling, and some schools have produced good academic results despite resource constraints. However, schools in rural areas often struggle with poor infrastructure, teacher shortages, and limited learning materials.

Health services are provided through clinics and a hospital in Schweizer-Reneke. Access to healthcare is limited in outlying villages, where residents must travel long distances for treatment. The healthcare system is strained by a shortage of medical professionals and outdated facilities.

Housing and Human Settlements

Housing remains a major challenge in the municipality. Many residents live in informal settlements or government-subsidized RDP houses. While housing delivery has improved in recent years, there is still a backlog. Informal areas often lack basic services and are prone to flooding, especially during the rainy season.

The municipality has partnered with the provincial Department of Human Settlements to implement housing projects. However, slow pace of delivery, allegations of corruption, and poor-quality workmanship continue to plague these efforts.

Governance Challenges

Mamusa has faced a range of governance issues in recent years, including:

• Corruption allegations involving procurement irregularities

• Financial mismanagement, including unauthorized and irregular expenditure

• Poor audit outcomes, as reported by the Auditor-General

• Lack of skilled personnel, particularly in technical departments

• Public dissatisfaction and community protests

In 2019, the municipality was placed under Section 139 intervention by the provincial government due to its inability to deliver services and manage finances effectively. A team was appointed to stabilize operations and develop a financial recovery plan.

Development Opportunities and Strategic Planning

Despite its challenges, Mamusa has several development opportunities:

• Agricultural expansion: There is potential to support smallholder farmers with training, access to markets, and infrastructure such as irrigation systems.

• Tourism: Historical and cultural tourism, including heritage sites and rural experiences, can be promoted.

• Youth empowerment: Skills development programs, entrepreneurship training, and job creation schemes can harness the potential of the youth.

• Public-private partnerships: These can be explored to improve infrastructure, attract investment, and provide essential services.

• Renewable energy projects: The North West’s sunny climate makes Mamusa a candidate for solar energy investments.

The municipality’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Local Economic Development (LED) strategy outline long-term goals such as sustainable service delivery, poverty alleviation, economic diversification, and infrastructure development.

Community Participation and Civil Society

Community participation is facilitated through ward committees, public meetings, and consultation during the drafting of the IDP and budget. However, many residents feel excluded from decision-making due to poor communication and lack of transparency.

Civil society organizations, including NGOs and local activist groups, play a role in advocating for service delivery, accountability, and human rights. Strengthening community involvement is essential for improving governance and trust.

Environmental Management

Mamusa faces environmental challenges, including:

• Water scarcity, particularly during droughts

• Soil erosion and degradation due to overgrazing

• Waste management issues, with illegal dumping being common

• Climate change impacts, such as unpredictable rainfall and heatwaves

The municipality has environmental policies in place, but implementation and enforcement remain weak. There is a need for better planning, awareness campaigns, and partnerships with environmental agencies.

Mamusa Local Municipality Contact Details

Postal	PO Box 5, Schweizer-Reneke, 2780
Physical	28 Schweizer Street, Schweizer-Reneke
Tel	053 963 1331
Web	www.mamusa-lm.co.za

Resident Queries

Accounts	064 594 9840 kgosieng@mamusa.gov.za
Electricity	078 027 0878 tamooketsi@gmail.com
Refuse & Waste	073 979 0477 galebowes@gmail.com
Roads	078 027 0878 tamooketsi@gmail.com
Service Delivery	071 060 0704 ftmabokela@gmail.com
Water	060 461 6493 kvvmasire@gmail.com

Fun Things To Do At Mamusa Local Municipality

Conclusion

Mamusa Local Municipality is a region with rich agricultural potential, a youthful population, and a resilient community. However, it also faces deep-rooted challenges in governance, service delivery, infrastructure, and economic development.

For Mamusa to realize its full potential, it must address these systemic issues through effective leadership, inclusive governance, transparency, and investment in human and physical capital. Strengthening collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society is essential to ensure sustainable development and improved quality of life for all its residents