Sibusiso Mahlangu

Strategic Infrastructure & Planning

• Lead the packaging, execution, and oversight of catalytic infrastructure projects (minimum budget R500 million each) in alignment with the City’s Spatial Development Framework (SDF), District Development Model (DDM), and national priorities.
• Provide strategic leadership for Upper North priority developments, including Aerotropolis Development, Dube TradePort, Whetstone Business Park, La Mercy Memorial Park, and Kings Estate.
• Drive the integration of infrastructure investment, land use planning, and development approval processes to ensure coordinated, future-ready growth.
• Oversee and coordinate technical feasibility studies, confirm bulk water and sanitation service availability, and secure spatial readiness for high-impact projects.

Stakeholder Management & Governance

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with provincial and national government, state-owned entities, developers, and community stakeholders to ensure alignment and on-time delivery of catalytic projects.
• Oversee the drafting, negotiation, and execution of Service Level Agreements (SLAs), Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), and intergovernmental protocols, ensuring compliance with legal frameworks and alignment with strategic objectives.
• Represent the Metro in provincial, national, and intergovernmental forums focused on strategic infrastructure coordination, spatial planning, and project facilitation.

Project Monitoring & Institutional Reporting

• Monitor and report on the full project lifecycle — from initial concept and feasibility through implementation and close-out — ensuring proactive risk management and problem resolution.
• Present comprehensive progress reports to cross-departmental steering committees, providing strategic insights and evidence-based recommendations for decision-making.

Leadership, Governance & Reporting

• Report directly to the Municipal Manager, serving as a member of MANCO, Executive Committee (EXCO), and Council, contributing to municipal policy, strategy, and oversight.
• Chairperson of strategic structures: Planning & Infrastructure Alignment Committee, Planning & Development Forum, District Development Model (DDM) Core Team, and Vuthela iLembe LED Programme PMT.
• Appointed Risk Champion in the Office of the Municipal Manager, leading strategic and operational risk management initiatives.
• Member of the Bid Specification Committee, ensuring procurement compliance with legislation and alignment to municipal objectives.

Integrated Development Planning (IDP) & DDM Alignment

• Lead formulation, review, and adoption of the municipal Integrated Development Plan, ensuring full compliance with the Municipal Systems Act.
• Align IDP priorities with District Development Model (DDM) outcomes and the District Framework Plan, ensuring cohesion across local municipalities.
• Coordinate vertical and horizontal alignment between the district, local municipalities, sector departments, and state agencies.
• Integrate donor-funded and catalytic projects, including Vuthela initiatives, into the IDP to secure Council endorsement and implementation readiness.
• Oversee preparation of IDP-related reports and presentations for EXCO, Council, and DDM reporting structures.

Enterprise iLembe Liaison & Governance Coordination

• Act as the primary link between the Municipal Manager and Enterprise iLembe, ensuring strategic alignment, compliance, and effective collaboration.
• Manage all administrative processes for Board appointments, including candidate vetting, submission packs, and Council approval processes.
• Draft, review, and facilitate the Compact Agreement and Annual Service Delivery Agreement, ensuring legislative compliance.
• Coordinate the Annual Service Delivery Plan (ASDP) to align with the IDP, budget, and performance systems.
• Attend monthly strategic review meetings with the Municipal Manager and Enterprise iLembe CEO, tracking and reporting on implementation progress.

Vuthela iLembe LED Programme – Donor-Funded Programme Management

• Lead municipal coordination of the Vuthela Programme, funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), to improve investment climate, LED capacity, and service delivery.
• Manage multiple internal donor-funded projects, integrating them into the IDP for long-term sustainability.
• Oversee initiatives in infrastructure readiness, regulatory reform, investment facilitation, and economic sector development.
• Position catalytic projects within the Vuthela framework to secure bulk water and sanitation infrastructure funding for large-scale developments.
• Deliver quarterly progress and financial reports, and present updates to donor review missions.

Spatial Planning & Infrastructure Implementation

• Directed completion and Council adoption of the District Spatial Development Framework (SDF), aligning with NDP, PGDS, and DDM priorities.
• Linked SDF priorities to bulk water and sanitation infrastructure planning, enabling service provision in catalytic nodes and growth corridors.
• Partnered with Technical Services to prioritise and deliver infrastructure upgrades in line with spatial growth plans.

Environmental Management Oversight

• Supervise environmental staff, ensuring legislative compliance and environmental management system implementation.
• Oversee awareness campaigns, sustainability projects, and climate adaptation initiatives.
• Review and provide input on Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for strategic developments.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

• Manage GIS staff in producing spatial data, mapping, and analysis to support planning and infrastructure projects.
• Oversee creation of story maps for catalytic projects and management of the EDAMS infrastructure data portal.
• Ensure GIS outputs inform SDF, IDP, and development decisions.

Catalytic Projects & Infrastructure Coordination

• Chair the Planning & Infrastructure Alignment Committee to streamline large-scale development approvals.
• Direct feasibility, planning, and implementation support for catalytic projects in compliance with bulk infrastructure requirements.
• Draft and negotiate SLAs for infrastructure provision, securing Executive Committee approval.
• Manage the Catalytic Project Database, reporting quarterly to DDM structures.

Legal, Financial & Strategic Oversight

• Negotiate SLAs, servitude agreements, and lease arrangements for strategic developments.
• Monitor departmental budgets, prepare business plans, and track project financials.
• Ensure IDP, Budget, and SDBIP alignment and compliance with the Municipal Systems Act.

Project & Programme Leadership

• Served as District Champion for SPLUMA (2015–2022) and Development Planning Shared Services (DPSS) (2013–2022), providing strategic oversight for spatial planning and land use management across multiple municipalities.
• Managed a portfolio of high-impact projects including:
  Maphumulo Town Development & Title Deeds Programme (2013–2022)
  Establishment of Maphumulo Land Disposal Structures & Valuation Roll (2016)
  Maphumulo Spatial Development Framework (2019)
  Land Use Schemes for Maphumulo (2022), Ndwedwe (2022), and Mandeni (2016)

Management & Capacity Building

• Directed the DPSS unit, managing senior/junior town planners and support staff across district and local municipalities.
• Oversaw recruitment, training, and professional growth to build sustainable local planning capacity.

Spatial Planning & Policy Development

• Oversaw district-wide spatial and regional planning for urban and rural areas, aligning plans with NDP, PGDS, and municipal priorities.
• Compiled and reviewed Spatial Development Frameworks (SDFs) and advised on Local Area Plans.
• Represented the district at key forums and strategic projects including the N2 Corridor Development, Aerotropolis Planning, and Provincial SPLUMA Forums.

Land Use Management (LUMS)

• Spearheaded the establishment of the Joint Municipal Planning Tribunal (JMPT) for Mandeni, Maphumulo, and Ndwedwe.
• Performed the role of Authorised Officer under SPLUMA delegations for Ndwedwe and Maphumulo.
• Managed SPLUMA development applications, rezoning, and subdivision processes.
• Enforced compliance for illegal and unauthorised land uses.

Town Formalisation

• Directed the Maphumulo Town Formalisation Process, including opening Township Registers, establishing land disposal structures, and creating the valuation roll.
• Managed the Land Use Management System/Land Information Register via GIS, integrating general plans, valuation rolls, planning schemes, and beneficiary data.

Contract & Stakeholder Management

• Drafted Terms of Reference and tender documents for planning projects.
• Negotiated lease agreements for municipal-owned and tribal land (ITB).
• Maintained strategic partnerships with national/provincial departments, state-owned entities, and developers to secure funding and technical support.

Integrated Development Planning (IDP)

• Aligned district and local municipal process plans, ensuring statutory compliance under the Municipal Systems Act.
• Coordinated sector alignment meetings and IDP Representative Forums.
• Delivered annual amendments based on MEC comments and strategic reviews.

Key Achievements

• Led in-house review of the Mandeni Land Use Scheme, earning provincial and national recognition for innovative use of GIS and Act 70/70 land processes.
• Successfully opened Maphumulo Township Register (2015), established land disposal structures (2016), and issued title deeds to beneficiaries (2022).
• Produced award-winning IDPs for iLembe District and Maphumulo Municipality, including recognition for Best Quality Municipal Transformation & Institutional Development KPA (2018/19).
• Facilitated approval of multiple land use schemes, enabling accelerated development approvals in three municipalities.

• Spatial Planning
• Ensured the application of Town and Regional Planning principles in land development
• Processed Planning and Development Act (PDA) applications for municipalities.
• Processed historic application submitted in terms of the DFA
• Provided technical assistance to professional teams on all aspects regarding
• Town and Regional planning; developers and town planning consultants.
• Facilitated the compilation of SDFs as part of the IDP process
• Facilitated the compilation of legally compliant Schemes as a PDA requirement
• Mentored and trained candidate Planners

Performance Management Systems (PMS)

• Ensured municipal compliance with key legislative requirements for performance management.
• Guided municipalities in the design, development, and implementation of functional PMS frameworks.
• Aligned municipal, organisational, and individual performance targets to ensure cohesive service delivery outcomes.
• Provided technical support and troubleshooting for municipalities to maintain effective PMS operations.
• Monitored, evaluated, and reported on PMS implementation across municipalities, recommending improvements where required.
• Conducted targeted research to enhance PMS methodologies and address identified performance gaps.
• Participated in planners’ forums and PMS committee meetings, providing expert guidance on PMS and IDP integration.
• Established District Technical Advisory Committees (DTAC) across the province, creating collaborative platforms for municipalities to share best practices and resolve challenges.

Integrated Development Planning (IDP)

• Served as a key member of the task team assessing municipalities during IDP review workshops.
• Led IDP review processes for 2011/12 and 2012/13, ensuring alignment with national and provincial priorities.
• Monitored implementation of the Medium Term Turnaround Strategy (MTAS) and Outcome 9 to ensure national priorities were embedded in IDP documents and organisational scorecards.
• Facilitated municipal strategic planning sessions to set medium- and long-term objectives aligned to service delivery goals.

Financial Management Alignment

• Supported municipalities in developing Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plans (SDBIP), ensuring alignment with IDP and PMS frameworks.
• Delivered training and presentations on PMS, IDP, and SDBIP integration to municipal leadership teams.
• Participated in Performance Audit Committee meetings, providing strategic input and technical guidance on performance management and IDP compliance.

• Provided professional advice to the public, developers, and stakeholders in person and via telephone on town planning policies, zoning, and development requirements.
• Evaluated building plans for compliance with zoning regulations, bulk, density, and building line parameters.
• Processed and reviewed land use applications, including zoning certificates, home-based business approvals, special consents, and rezoning requests.
• Prepared and maintained accurate records, documentation, and registers for the evaluation and processing of planning permits.
• Produced planning reports, data summaries, and recommendations to support senior planners in decision-making.
• Monitored and reported on the progress of permit applications to planning coordinators, identifying potential issues and recommending solutions.
• Assisted in drafting correspondence and guidance for developers regarding requirements and next steps for pending applications