O.R. Tambo District Municipality is gathered at Dan’s Country Lodge for a Management Retreat at a decisive moment in the life of the institution.
This is not a routine session. It is a deliberate pause by leadership to reflect, realign, and set a clear tone for the 2025/26 financial year. It exists because the municipality is moving from recovery toward consolidation, and that shift demands focus, unity, and disciplined leadership.
The Executive Mayor’s address framed this moment powerfully.
He acknowledged the collective effort being made to rebuild the institution and affirmed a truth that is increasingly evident: O.R. Tambo is turning the corner. Once viewed as an embodiment of maladministration, the municipality is now being recognised for its progress.
The Premier has acknowledged this work. The President has recently done the same. These accolades confirm that the direction is right.
A defining strength highlighted by the Executive Mayor is alignment.
Despite political diversity, there is shared agreement, even across opposition lines, on the kind of institution O.R. Tambo must become. That unity of purpose removes distraction and places a clear responsibility on leadership to deliver.
He further emphasised that O.R. Tambo does not shy away from scrutiny.
The municipality remains open to criticism and correction from oversight bodies such as the Auditor-General, the SIU, SCOPA, and others. Even where there is disagreement, the institution chooses engagement over denial, correction over defensiveness. This reflects an organisation that is teachable, receptive, and serious about improvement.
Within this context, the purpose of this retreat is clear.This session creates space to reflect honestly on performance, align leadership on strategic priorities, strengthen planning and coordination, reinforce accountability, and confront risks before they undermine progress.
Above all, it is about locking in momentum.
As leadership gathers at Dan’s Country Lodge, the task is to protect the gains made, sharpen execution, and move forward with clarity, unity of purpose, and confidence, ensuring that the corner we have turned is never turned back.