Mandeni Local Municipality is one of the four local municipalities that make up the iLembe District in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Located along the N2 corridor between eThekwini and uMhlathuze, it is made up of 18 electoral wards and is predominantly rural in character. Ingonyama Trust land accounts for the majority of its landmass.
The Council has 35 seats with 6 parties represented. The ANC won an outright majority in the 2021 Local Government Elections but lost two seats to the MKP during by-elections held in April and November 2025. With 17 seats The ANC remains the leading party but falls short of the requisite 18 to govern alone. It currently operates a minority government relying on supply and confidence arrangements with other parties.