The Municipal Council is inviting submissions from residents and stakeholders to shape development priorities and budget allocations for the upcoming fiscal year.
Manzini residents have been invited by the Municipal Council to influence the city’s development priorities and budget for the 2027/2028 financial year. Mayor Xolani Masuku stated the municipality is committed to citizen involvement to ensure programs meet actual needs. The call for submissions was made during the 2026 Stakeholder Budget Consultation Meeting, where ratepayers were encouraged to offer practical suggestions for resource allocation.
Mayor Masuku emphasized the importance of these consultations for public input into municipal planning and priorities. He acknowledged that while all suggestions are taken seriously, limited financial resources and competing needs mean not every proposal can be accommodated. The municipality aims to implement some of the submitted ideas where feasible, according to Masuku.
During the meeting, Thulile Dlamini Msane from Ward 2 raised concerns about ratepayers who may no longer have the capacity to pay municipal rates. The council is gathering these diverse perspectives as it prepares its financial plan, balancing resident needs with fiscal realities.
Why it mattersManzini residents are directly affected by the municipal budget process as it determines how city resources are allocated for development and services.
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