Dr. M.S. Mlangeni is a married father with four children. He has the following qualifications: Executive Leadership Development Certificate and Municipal Manager’s Certificate from University of KwaZulu-Natal (Westville), School of Public Administration and Development Management, with specific focus on Local Governance, Municipal Policy Making, Services Provision & Integrated Development Planning, Budgeting, Finance, Management Development Strategies and Human Resources Management. He lives at Madadeni, not in the surbubs. He continues to live in a Township even when he holds the highest position in the district. This places him in a very advantageous position in knowing and understanding the problems of the poorest of the poor, which amongst others are unemployment, crime, poverty etc. He is amongst those that initiated Development Forums. As an activist during the days of apartheid era, he formed Madadeni Residence Association. He came to local government in 1994 and served as a Councillor in the Transitional Local Council. He was elected in December 2000 to serve again as a Councillor. Initially he was appointed as the Chairperson of the Newcastle Municipality Human Resources Portfolio Committee.

He was elected Mayor of Amajuba District Municipality in 2003, a position that brought added responsibility of chairing Executive Committee that oversees the day to day running of the district municipality. He came back after 01 March 2006 elections and is serving his second term as Mayor. He retained this position in October 2006 to date. His experience at work and business has made him the successful Mayor for he is the only Mayor in the family of municipalities of Amajuba District that managed to see the second term as Mayor. His passion for poor people and rare leadership skills has taken the district to another level in development and resulted in him honoured with a Doctorate on 20 May 2007 by the All Africa Cultural Organisation (AACO). In his Mayoral duties, he has traveled to many places even overseas marketing the district to investors. He is a member of Inkatha Freedom Party IFP) and serves as an ex-officio member of its district Executive Committee. He is one of few selfless leaders, he takes his family time to service the people.