Frances Baard District Municipality prioritises economic development and cost containment

THE FRANCES Baard District Municipality has approved its budget for the 2025/26 financial year, totalling R187.9 million, and has adopted a cost-containment policy designed to eliminate wasteful expenditure and prioritise spending on service delivery.

The district municipality’s executive mayor, Nomdumiso Buda, said economic development remained a key priority for the district, with R2.9 million allocated to Local Economic Development (LED) initiatives.

She stated that R1.9 million had been set aside to support tourism development.

“These efforts will centre on attracting trade and investment through events such as the LED expo and the Africa Travel Indaba expo,” she said.

Buda noted that R10 million had been allocated towards the operation and maintenance of infrastructure at local municipalities.

“These funds will support critical services, including electricity and waste management, road and stormwater systems, as well as water and sanitation infrastructure.

“Through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), the municipality will create 18 full-time employment opportunities. These positions will be supported by projects such as brick production initiatives in the Magareng and Dikgatlong local municipalities, as well as the youth entrepreneurship development programme.” 

She added that the district municipality would take over environmental health services from three local municipalities to improve environmental health and disaster management services. 

“An amount of R4.5 million will be directed to assist Sol Plaatje Municipality in this instance. Amounts of R795,400 and R745,000 have been allocated to these functions respectively for projects focused on supporting service delivery.” 

Grants received for the 2025/26 financial year include:

• Equitable Share – R143.7 million: A vital source of funding that supports the municipality in fulfilling its constitutional and legislative responsibilities.
• Rural Roads Asset Management Systems (RRAMS) Grant – R2.9 million: The development of road asset management systems and data collection to improve investment in rural municipal roads
• Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management Grant – R4 million: These funds will assist local municipalities in enhancing street lighting in poorly lit areas to improve public safety.