Swellendam Municipality has once again been recognised as one of South Africa’s best-performing municipalities, securing second place in the country at the inaugural SAPOA Municipal Performance Awards in Sun City.
The awards, hosted by the South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) in partnership with Ratings Afrika and the Banking Association of South Africa (BASA) are the first of their kind to celebrate municipal excellence in governance, fiscal discipline and service delivery.
The official rankings were announced at the SAPOA Annual Convention on October 2, highlighting municipalities that defy the national trend of financial instability.
Recognising good governance in tough times
According to Ratings Afrika’s Municipal Financial Sustainability Index, most of South Africa’s largest municipalities face severe financial distress, with deficits, liquidity shortfalls and failing services costing billions annually. The new SAPOA awards aim to shine a light on the few municipalities that consistently balance budgets, invest in infrastructure, and protect public funds.
SAPOA President Itumeleng Mothibeli said the awards are about changing the narrative:
“In a sector where dysfunction often dominates the headlines, these awards highlight municipalities that prove financial sustainability is possible – and that it can drive economic growth.”
Swellendam setting the standard
For Swellendam, this recognition underscores its ongoing commitment to sound financial management and transparent service delivery. The municipality continues to implement its Integrated Development Plan (IDP) with a focus on safety, infrastructure, community empowerment, and sustainable economic growth.
Executive Mayor Francois du Rand credited the achievement to teamwork:
“This recognition belongs not only to the Municipality but to every resident, partner, and stakeholder who contributes to making Swellendam a model of good governance. I must commend our Municipal Manager, CFO, and Directors for their resilience in the face of ongoing challenges.”
Why these awards matter
Judging is based on six core components, including operating surpluses, liquidity, affordability of rates, borrowing discipline, infrastructure investment and financial resilience.
By showcasing excellence on a national platform, SAPOA and Ratings Afrika hope to inspire municipalities across South Africa to raise their standards – proving that efficient governance is not only possible but sustainable.
