HRH Tibisi April Motaung II has officially thrown his royal support behind a groundbreaking, community-led governance initiative within the Ngwathe Local Municipality. The declaration follows the landmark court ruling that dissolved the Ngwathe Local Council, a decision that has triggered a major transitional phase for the region.
On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, a multi-sectoral public participation workshop convened in Parys to chart a unified path forward. The historic gathering united civil society, traditional kingdoms, agricultural leaders, business forums, and ratepayer associations.
As the provincial government prepares to appoint an Administrator, Motaung II is championing a fundamental shift away from failing political “box systems” toward an inclusive “circle system” of governance. This Public-Community Partnership (PCP) framework ensures citizens hold a decisive seat at the table over the next four months before fresh municipal elections are held.
Through the Fezile Dabi Community Network, the Royal Authority—alongside local stakeholders and organizations such as AfriForum—has prioritized three urgent, practical interventions to halt systemic municipal decline:
- Water Restoration: Halting polluted inflows, restoring local watercourses, and collaborating downstream toward the Vaal Dam alongside the Wetland Project.
- Electricity Grid Auditing: Dissecting the municipal Eskom debt to isolate actual usage from unfair interest and penalties, ensuring strict financial accountability.
- Systematic Road Rehabilitation: Mapping potholes per ward to execute systematic, prioritized repairs, focusing first on child safety while generating local employment.
A Royal Call to Unity
Reflecting on the profound shift during the meeting—which opened with the question “Who organized this?” and concluded with a unified “Who are we?”—His Royal Highness emphasized that true community sovereignty cannot be imposed from above.
“We are witnessing a spiritual and structural awakening in the Fezile Dabi District,” stated Motaung II.
“The dissolution of the council is not just an administrative crisis; it is a divine window of opportunity. By connecting our faith, our retired professional expertise, and our traditional leadership networks, we are building a resilient structure that no longer relies on failing political promises.”
The Mooidraai Farm Royal Authority invites all traditional leaders, civic structures, and residents across the Fezile Dabi District Municipality to join this united front, ensuring that direct community participation remains the foundation of all future governance.
