POLOKWANE MUNICIPALITY STEALS THE SHOW AT SALGA AWARDS – 6 WINS AND COUNTING
Polokwane, 15 March 2025 – Polokwane Municipality had more than just a seat at the table at the SALGA Moses “Big Moss” Maluleke Municipal Awards in Bela Bela on Thursday night – it owned the spotlight. Scooping up six top awards, the municipality dominated, proving that good governance, financial discipline and smart leadership can turn a municipality into a model of excellence.
With a trophy haul that would make any competitor envious, Polokwane demonstrated that when it comes to municipal innovation and service delivery, it’s not here to play but to lead.
The municipality was recognized in six key categories:
1. Innovation in Municipal Digital Solution – Because running a smart city is not just a dream but a reality in Polokwane.
2. Improved Municipal Council Grading – Proof that when you do the work, the results speak for themselves.
3. Sustaining Improved Audit Opinion 2023/24 – For Polokwane, fiscal responsibility is not just a goal but also a way of life.
4. 100% Spending of Water Services Infrastructure Grant – Every cent spent where it should be, on improving water services.
5. 100% Spending of Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant – No loose ends, no unspent budgets, just infrastructure that works.
6. In-house Preparation of Annual Financial Statements 2023/24 – Who needs outsourcing when you have top-tier financial minds on your team?
Collecting the awards, Executive Mayor, Cllr Makoro John Mpe was accompanied by Council Speaker Cllr Kobela Modiba, Council Whip Cllr Phetola Rapetswa, MMC for Finance Cllr Tshepo Nkwe and City Manager Thuso Nemugumoni and her support staff. He said winning in these categories is not just about collecting trophies but about delivering results that residents can see and feel every day.
Executive Mayor was beaming with pride as he reflected on the wins, but he made one thing clear: success like this does not happen by chance.
“These awards are a reflection of the hard work, precision, and determination of our team. We set high standards, and we meet them. Polokwane is setting the gold standard,” said Executive Mayor Mpe.
With an improved audit opinion and a track record of putting every infrastructure grant to good use, Polokwane is rewriting the playbook on how a municipality should be run.
These awards raise the bar for what effective governance should look like. In a world where inefficiency is often the norm, Polokwane is proving that with smart leadership, financial discipline and an eye for innovation, municipalities can achieve real, measurable progress.
The question now is not whether Polokwane can keep up this momentum but what record it will break next. With a proven track record and a leadership team that refuses to settle for mediocrity, the municipality is already setting its sights on even bigger achievements.
For Polokwane, excellence is a habit.
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