Polokwane Mayor John Mpe Calls on Mankweng Residents to Shape City’s Future at IDP Forum

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian

Truth. Fearless. Unfiltered.

MANKWENG_ – Executive Mayor Cllr John Mpe took government directly to the people on Tuesday as the City of Polokwane opened its 2026-2031 Draft IDP and Budget for public scrutiny in the Mankweng Cluster.

The Public Participation session, held from 10h00 to 13h00 at Monywaneng Sports Ground on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, placed residents from Wards 06, 07, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 34 at the centre of the city’s five-year development plan.

Under the banner “Naturally Progressive”, Mayor Mpe drove a bottom-up approach to governance that placed community voices ahead of bureaucratic decisions.

The newly elected ANC Limpopo Deputy Chairperson has made public consultation a hallmark of his administration, insisting that real progress starts when leaders listen.

“Residents of the Mankweng Cluster came forward, lent their voices, and made meaningful inputs into the 2026-31 Draft IDP/Budget, shaping the future of their community,” officials confirmed after the session.

Since taking office, Cllr Mpe has positioned the Integrated Development Plan not as a compliance document, but as a social contract. Tuesday’s session gave Mankweng residents direct access to influence spending priorities, service delivery targets, and infrastructure projects that will define the next five years.

Colleagues said the Mayor’s insistence on cluster-based consultations reflects his belief that “the City of Stars shines brightest when every ward is heard.” By bringing the Draft IDP to Monywaneng Sports Ground, Mpe ensured that students, elders, small business owners, and traditional leaders could speak without travelling to the city centre.

The 2026-2031 IDP sets the roadmap for roads, water, electricity, housing, and local economic development. Mpe’s administration has been vocal about aligning the budget with township and rural upliftment, job creation, and youth opportunities — priorities that dominated Tuesday’s engagement.

As both Executive Mayor and ANC Limpopo Deputy Chairperson, Mpe continued to bridge party mandate and municipal delivery. His visibility in community forums like Tuesday’s has strengthened trust between Council and residents, with ward councillors noting higher levels of participation since he took the helm.

“This is how we build a naturally progressive Polokwane,” a senior official said after the session. “Mayor Mpe doesn’t govern from behind a desk. He meets people where they are, and he makes sure their input counts.”

Session details:  

- Event: Public Participation: 2026-31 Draft IDP/Budget  

- Cluster: Mankweng  

- Date: Tuesday, 14 April 2026  

- Time: 10h00 - 13h00  

- Venue: Monywaneng Sports Ground  

- Wards: 06, 07, 25, 26, 27, 28, 34  

Residents tabled their views on service delivery, local projects, and budget priorities during the well-attended session.

The Azanian will monitor the situation and provide updates as they develop.