NATIONAL Freedom Party president and Zululand district mayor Zanele Magwaza-Msibi has promised the poverty-stricken district's residents that a large chunk of this year's budget would be focused on the provision of water and sanitation.

"Water and sanitation are among the biggest challenges faced by the people of the district," Magwaza-Msibi told the residents of the eDumbe, AbaQulusi, Olundi, Nongoma and Ophongolo rural municipalities.

"For far too long many areas under the district have been lagging behind in terms of essential services."

According to the draft budget for 2012-13, the funding is expected to increase by 19% compared with the previous financial year.

The 2011-12 budget stood at R657.1-million compared with the R776.96-million total budget for this coming financial year, representing an increase of R122.87-million.

"Our municipality was recently commended by auditor-general Terence Nombembe for its intensive consultation programme with its communities in preparing its budget," she said.

Magwaza-Msibi said she regarded the budget as not for councillors and the municipality only, but for the people.

"This year, as had been the case during previous years, we have ensured that our budget caters for all sectors of our communities, including the disabled, the poor, widows and orphans as well as senior citizens," she said.

"We always go beyond our call of duty to ensure that there is water and sanitation for the poorest of the poor in our communities and that there are endeavors to improve quality of their lives."

Magwaza-Msibi announced that each of the 89 wards in the district will receive R60000.