Press Releases

Environmental Management Fee (EMF) helps protect Kouga’s natural environment

Kouga Local Municipality's Environmental Management Fee (EMF), which was approved by Council in 2008, continues to play a vital role in protecting the region’s natural environment and ensuring compliance with environmental legislation. The fee provides dedicated funding for environmental programmes and projects aimed at safeguarding Kouga’s rivers, wetlands, coastline, open spaces, nature reserves and other environmentally sensitive areas. The fee is required to support environmental governance, climate resilience, and compliance with statutory environmental obligations.

Greater Garden Route Wedding Expo returns to Kouga after standout debut

Following the remarkable success of its inaugural event in 2025, the Greater Garden Route Wedding Expo is returning to Kouga for its second annual showcase – bringing together exceptional wedding talent, inspiring venues, and premium experiences in one unforgettable weekend. Set to take place at Mentors Country Estate in Jeffreys Bay from 29 to 30 August 2026, the Expo has quickly established itself as a highlight on the regional events calendar and a celebration of the Greater Garden Route’s growing reputation as one of South Africa’s leading wedding destinations. Presented by RED Creative Collaboration in partnership with Kouga Local Municipality and Mentors Country Estate, the event will once again transform the venue into a vibrant hub of creativity, elegance, and inspiration for engaged couples, industry professionals, and visitors alike.

Major infrastructure projects planned for Kouga 2026/2027 financial year

Kouga Local Municipality is set to roll out a significant capital investment programme for the 2026/2027 financial year, with major infrastructure projects aimed at improving service delivery, expanding basic services and upgrading critical municipal infrastructure across the region. The investment forms part of the municipality’s continued drive to address infrastructure backlogs while supporting economic development and improving quality of life for residents. The programme is funded through a combination of Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme (UISP), Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG), Integrated National Electrification Programme (INEP) allocations and internal funding sources.

2026/2027 MTREF Budget approved to keep Kouga working

Investing in infrastructure, protecting financial sustainability and maintaining reliable service delivery remain at the heart of Kouga Local Municipality’s plans for the years ahead following the approval of the 2026/2027 Medium-Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework (MTREF) Budget. The budget was approved in accordance with Section 24 of the Municipal Finance Management Act during a virtual Ordinary Council Meeting held on Thursday, 28 May 2026, following an extensive planning and public participation process aligned with the municipality’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP). The approved budget reflects a balanced approach to responding to growing service delivery demands, while ensuring the municipality remains financially sustainable in a challenging economic environment marked by rising bulk service costs and ongoing infrastructure investment needs.

Like water, he kept Kouga flowing

Like the water he spent a lifetime helping to treat for communities across Humansdorp, Kerneels “Tai” Lejander’s life has been marked by resilience, strength, and quiet consistency. Water adapts, flows, and sustains life – and in many ways, so too has Lejander throughout his 35 years of dedicated service in the Water Division of Kouga Local Municipality. At 60 years old, the artisan plumber recently celebrated an extraordinary milestone: 35 years of municipal service. Yet for Lejander, the achievement is not only about the years behind him, but about the people, lessons, and purpose that shaped the journey.

A day in the life of Wellington Malangeni

Every morning, as the sun rises over the bustling community of Jeffreys Bay, Wellington Malangeni makes his way to the Tokyo Sexwale Sport Stadium. It is a short seven-minute walk from his home – a routine he has followed for years – but for him, it is never just about reporting for duty. It is about purpose, pride, and passion. An avid sportsman with a love for football, Malangeni’s journey with Kouga Local Municipality began 26 years ago when he took up work as a litter picker. What started as a means to support his family soon grew into a lifelong commitment. Over the years, he steadily worked his way up, gaining experience across multiple sections within the Community and Safety Services Department before finding his calling as the caretaker at the Tokyo Sexwale Sport Stadium. Born in Gqeberha, Malangeni’s life journey took him through the Gamtoos Valley, Bedford, and eventually to Jeffreys Bay. He once dreamed of becoming a lawyer, but family circumstances – including his father’s unemployment and his mother’s ill health – led him to take up casual work with the municipality in 1998. By 2000, he had secured permanent employment.

Kouga Local Municipality hosts Eastern Cape ICT Summit

Kouga Local Municipality demonstrated its commitment to digital transformation and smarter governance systems to make it more efficient, accountable and improve service delivery to residents at the Eastern Cape Municipal ICT Summit held in Jeffreys Bay from 7 to 8 May 2026. Hosted at Mentors Country Estate, municipal leaders, ICT professionals and governance experts gathered to explore how technology can strengthen local government and improve service delivery. The summit was hosted under the theme of building “connected, intelligent, secure and citizen-centric” municipalities and was attended by officials from municipalities around the province, the Eastern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), Provincial Treasury and ICT industry partners.

Kouga honours dedicated staff at inspiring Long Service Awards celebration