Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality
811 431
Population
Census 2022
9 886
Square kilometres
82.1 per km2
229 426
Households
101
Council seats
Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality is one of South Africa’s eight metropolitan municipalities, the category reserved for the country’s largest urban centres, and it governs 9 886 square kilometres of Free State. It takes in the towns and settlements of Bloemfontein, Botshabelo, Dewetsdorp, Mangaung, Soutpan, Thaba Nchu, Van Stadensrus and Wepener.
Census 2022 counted 811 431 residents, making it the 2nd most populous of the 23 municipalities in Free State and 33rd of 257 nationally. That works out to 82.1 people per square kilometre. Population is spread thinly across the area. There are 229 426 households, averaging 3.5 people each. 25.1% of residents are under 15 and 6.7% are over 65. Among residents aged 20 and over, 13.3% hold a higher education qualification and 3.0% have had no schooling.
The council has 101 seats across 9 parties, with ANC holding the largest share at 51 seats (50.5%). ANC governs the municipality. Mr Gregory Nthlatsi serves as executive mayor (ANC), and Mr Sello More is municipal manager.
On this site’s financial health measure, which weighs the Auditor-General’s opinion alongside operating margin, liquidity, cash cover and irregular spending, Mangaung scores 34.8 out of 100 for 2024/25, a grade of E, described as distressed. Its most recent audit outcome was recorded as “qualified audit”. In 2024/25 it reported R10.7 billion in operating revenue against R11.9 billion in expenditure, an operating deficit of R1.2 billion. At the last census, 47.3% of households had piped water inside the dwelling, 95.5% used electricity for lighting and 59.1% had refuse removed weekly.
Council and management
Seats: Electoral Commission, 2021 local government elections
- ANC 51 50.5%
- DA 26 25.7%
- EFF 12 11.9%
- VF PLUS 5 5.0%
- AASD 2 2.0%
- PA 2 2.0%
- ACDP 1 1.0%
- AIC 1 1.0%
- ATM 1 1.0%
Office bearers
Mayor
Mr Gregory Nthlatsi
ANC
Deputy Mayor
Ms Lulama Titi-Odili
ANC
Speaker
Mr Bongani Mathae
ANC
Chief Whip
Mr Vumile Nikelo
Municipal Manager
Mr Sello More
Chief Financial Officer
Ms Zuziwe Lydia Thekiso
Mayoral Committee
Mr Alfred Qai
MMC: Community Services
Mayoral Committee
Mr Itumeleng Makoloane
MPAC Chairperson
Mayoral Committee
Ms Logan Kruger
MMC: Finance
Mayoral Committee
Mrs Lulama Titi
MMC: IDP and Performance
Mayoral Committee
Ms Manthuse Letawana
MMC: Corporate Services
Mayoral Committee
Mr Pani Twala
MMC: Agriculture and Rural Development
Mayoral Committee
Ms Theodorah Mosala
MMC: Waste and Fleet Management
Mayoral Committee
Mr Vusi Soqaga
MMC: Engineering and Infrastructure
Mayoral Committee
Ms Vuyelwa Jonas
MMC: Planning and Economic Development
Senior Management
Ms Amie Molelekoa
General Manager Compliance: Office the City Manager
Senior Management
Mr Bennet Comakae
General Manager: LED
Senior Management
Mr Cobus Brummer
General Manager: Architectural Services
Senior Management
Mr George Masaubi
General Manager: Strategic Support
Senior Management
Mr George Masuabi
General Manager: Strategic Support
Senior Management
Mr Hansie Sarel van Zyl
General Manager: Budget and Treasury
Senior Management
Mr Israel Kgamanyane
HOD: Public Safety and Security
Senior Management
Mr Itumeleng Masobeng
HOD: Technical Services
Senior Management
Mr Malebo Pilane
Acting Deputy Executive Director: Operations
Senior Management
Mr Mokete Duma
HOD: Corporate Services
Senior Management
Mompati Tlhale
General Manager: Waste and Fleet Management
Senior Management
Ms Nokuthula Chakane
HOD: Planning, Economic and Rural Development and Human Settlements
Senior Management
Paselina Thagedi
Acting General Manager: Informal Settlements
Senior Management
Mr Pule Molelenyane
General Manager: Human Resource Management
Senior Management
Dr Thabang Thinda
HOD: Community Services
Senior Management
Ms Thami Sitishi
General Manager: Accounting Compliance
Senior Management
Mr Tokyo Masiza
Acting General Manager: Social Development
Senior Management
Mr Victor Toua
Head: Project Management Unit
Senior Management
Ms Yolanda Mfana
Acting Senior Admin Officer: Office of the HOD
Senior Management
Mr Zolile Mangcotywa
Chief of Staff
Communications
Lebohang Pita
Manager: IDP and Organisational Performance Manager
Communications
Monyake Mothekhe
General Manager: IDP and Organisational Performance
Communications
Mr Qondile Khedama
General Manager: Communication
Finances
National Treasury, audited outcomes
| Measure | 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUDIT OUTCOME | Qualified audit | Qualified audit | Qualified audit | Qualified audit | Financially unqualified |
Financial performance
| Measure | 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Property rates | 1 792 355 | 1 448 159 | 1 508 845 | 1 387 795 | 1 190 391 |
| Service charges | 5 984 739 | 5 256 285 | 4 784 065 | 4 486 855 | 4 108 928 |
| Investment revenue | 99 118 | 79 386 | 62 163 | 18 214 | 18 891 |
| Transfers recognised - operational | 1 280 233 | 1 235 678 | 986 537 | 877 604 | 1 235 834 |
| Other own revenue | 1 544 272 | 1 435 725 | 1 044 089 | 934 530 | 362 757 |
| Total Revenue (excluding capital transfers and contributions) | 10 700 717 | 9 455 233 | 8 385 699 | 7 704 998 | 6 916 801 |
| Employee costs | 2 664 557 | 2 461 979 | 2 223 632 | 2 244 582 | 2 263 827 |
| Remuneration of councillors | 77 818 | 74 552 | 69 434 | 67 895 | 65 531 |
| Depreciation and amortisation | 891 827 | 853 274 | 885 335 | 906 729 | 915 748 |
| Finance charges | -87 290 | 141 329 | 178 458 | 115 415 | 104 164 |
| Inventory consumed and bulk purchases | 4 097 374 | 4 077 593 | 3 132 443 | 2 811 880 | 2 743 744 |
| Transfers and subsidies | - | 4 992 | - | 7 244 | 9 431 |
| Other expenditure | 4 210 383 | 3 173 876 | 2 899 752 | 3 428 153 | 1 874 557 |
| Total Expenditure | 11 854 668 | 10 787 595 | 9 389 054 | 9 581 898 | 7 977 002 |
| Surplus/(Deficit) | -1 153 951 | -1 332 362 | -1 003 355 | -1 876 900 | -1 060 201 |
| Transfers and subsidies - capital (monetary allocations) | 671 391 | 606 718 | 825 524 | 915 188 | 841 148 |
| Transfers and subsidies - capital (in-kind) | - | - | - | - | - |
| Surplus/(Deficit) after capital transfers & contributions | -482 560 | -725 643 | -177 831 | -961 713 | -219 053 |
| Share of surplus/(deficit) of associate | - | - | - | 209 529 | 193 808 |
| Surplus/(Deficit) for the year | -482 560 | -725 643 | -177 831 | -752 184 | -25 245 |
Capital expenditure & funds sources
| Measure | 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital expenditure | 761 497 | 574 971 | 695 210 | 853 607 | 826 814 |
| Transfers recognised - capital | 545 325 | 480 038 | 572 820 | 667 471 | 610 988 |
| Borrowing | - | - | 12 220 | 37 225 | 74 964 |
| Internally generated funds | 216 173 | 94 933 | 110 170 | 148 911 | 140 862 |
| Total sources of capital funds | 761 497 | 574 971 | 695 210 | 853 607 | 826 814 |
Financial position
| Measure | 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total current assets | 8 577 317 | 8 168 237 | 8 529 283 | 9 137 798 | 8 196 070 |
| Total non current assets | 21 180 123 | 21 864 501 | 21 749 145 | 22 394 896 | 22 689 367 |
| Total current liabilities | 10 959 317 | 10 969 782 | 10 748 178 | 11 149 122 | 9 562 642 |
| Total non current liabilities | 2 590 931 | 2 606 627 | 2 480 988 | 2 602 082 | 2 740 820 |
| Community wealth/Equity | 16 207 192 | 16 835 696 | 17 191 119 | 17 781 489 | 18 581 976 |
Cash flows
| Measure | 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash from (used) operating | 10 679 802 | 7 434 356 | 4 685 921 | 4 316 113 | 1 692 616 |
| Net cash from (used) investing | -743 431 | -525 894 | -691 950 | -853 605 | -482 650 |
| Net cash from (used) financing | -230 997 | -164 607 | -206 337 | -63 259 | - |
| Cash/cash equivalents at the year end | 9 535 196 | 7 454 999 | 4 528 168 | 3 860 644 | 1 637 591 |
Unauthorised, irregular, fruitless & wasteful expenditure
| Measure | 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unauthorised expenditure | 1 125 802 | 1 343 142 | 1 195 215 | 5 257 879 | 570 025 |
| Irregular expenditure | 260 761 | 277 156 | 198 151 | 185 428 | 190 845 |
| Fruitless & wasteful expenditure | 27 644 | 122 520 | 140 688 | 185 299 | 19 695 |
Source: Audited Outcome A1 2026 Q1
People
Statistics South Africa, Census
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 811 431 | 787 803 | 775 184 |
Age structure
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population under 15 | 25.1% | 29.7% | 27.1% |
| Population 15 to 64 | 68.2% | 65.0% | 67.6% |
| Population over 65 | 6.7% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
Dependency ratio
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per 100 (15-64) | 46.7 | 54 | 48 |
Sex ratio
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males per 100 females | 90.6 | 94.2 | 93.9 |
Population growth
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per annum | 0.4% | 0.4% | n/a |
Labour market
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (official) | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Youth unemployment rate (official) 15-34 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Education (aged 20 +)
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| No schooling | 3.0% | 5.2% | 4.5% |
| Matric | n/a | 32.8 | 29.1 |
| Higher education | 13.3% | 13.3% | 13.5% |
Household dynamics
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households | 229 426 | 265 561 | 240 700 |
| Average household size | 3.5 | 3 | 3.2 |
| Female headed households | n/a | 41.4 | 41 |
| Formal dwellings | 90.1% | 87.1% | 83.8% |
| Housing owned | n/a | 70.1 | 62.3 |
Household services
| Measure | 2022 | 2016 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flush toilet connected to sewerage | 71.0% | 66.7% | 63.5% |
| Weekly refuse removal | 59.1% | 78.9% | 77.8% |
| Piped water inside dwelling | 47.3% | 38.2% | 45.5% |
| Electricity for lighting | 95.5% | 95.5% | 91.4% |
Service delivery
National Treasury, non-financial census of municipalities
Water
| Measure | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | 2019/20 | 2018/19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does the municipality provide? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of households and non-domestic customers to which provided | 289 580 | 289 094 | 289 094 | 269 113 | 268 022 |
| Number of domestic households/delivery points | 285 881 | 285 395 | 285 395 | 265 414 | 264 323 |
| Inside the yard | 273 980 | 273 980 | 273 980 | 247 859 | 241 954 |
| Less than 200m from yard | 11 901 | 11 415 | 11 415 | 17 555 | 22 369 |
| More than 200m from yard | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Domestic households with access to free basic service | 66 812 | 50 217 | 62 911 | 51 966 | 32 105 |
Electricity
| Measure | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | 2019/20 | 2018/19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does the municipality provide? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of households and non-domestic customers to which provided | 259 427 | 259 427 | 258 984 | 255 677 | 255 596 |
| Domestic households with access to free basic service | 66 812 | 50 217 | 62 911 | 51 966 | 32 105 |
Sewerage and sanitation
| Measure | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | 2019/20 | 2018/19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does the municipality provide? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of households and non-domestic customers to which provided | 288 364 | 274 494 | 274 494 | 203 461 | 203 461 |
| Flush toilet - public sewerage | 259 275 | 240 201 | 240 201 | 150 974 | 150 974 |
| Flush toilet - septic tank | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ventilated pit latrine | 24 160 | 29 194 | 29 194 | 47 116 | 47 116 |
| Bucket system | 1 230 | 1 400 | 1 400 | 1 400 | 1 400 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 272 | 272 |
| Domestic households with access to free basic service | 66 812 | 50 217 | 62 911 | 51 966 | 32 105 |
Solid waste services
| Measure | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | 2019/20 | 2018/19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does the municipality provide? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of households and non-domestic customers to which provided | 250 737 | 250 737 | 250 737 | 249 735 | 249 735 |
| Domestic households with access to free basic service | 66 812 | 50 217 | 62 911 | 51 966 | 32 105 |
Staffing
National Treasury
| Measure | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | 2019/20 | 2018/19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Costs (R’000) | 2 223 632 | 2 244 582 | 2 263 827 | 2 056 606 | 2 044 842 |
| Remuneration of councillors (R’000) | 69 434 | 67 895 | 65 531 | 67 202 | 64 434 |
| Total Employee Positions | 3 507 | 4 258 | 3 798 | 4 954 | 6 942 |
| Total Vacant Employee Positions | 385 | 559 | 1 | 1 664 | 3 462 |
| Total Vacancy Percentage | 11.0% | 13.1% | 0.0% | 33.6% | 49.9% |
| Managerial Positions – S54A and S56 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
| Vacant Managerial Positions – S54A and S56 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Managerial Positions - by organogram | 276 | 350 | 350 | 350 | 241 |
| Vacant Managerial Positions - by organogram | 145 | 0 | 0 | 202 | 101 |
Published documents
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