FEATURE
Source: SAnews
Decisive leadership needed in local govt
C
ouncillors and local government officials have been
urged to urgently address service-delivery short-
comings to ensure that local government is more responsive to the needs of citizens.
Addressing the sixth national conference of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) recently, Presi-
business and other stake-
dent Cyril Ramaphosa
holders in the country,
said: “Local government
and brought together offi-
is where you can make
cials from 257 municipali-
and ensure that we realise
facing municipalities as
the biggest difference in
ties across the country.
the aspirations of the
they attempt to provide
South African people.
services to the communi-
the lives of our people.
The President said that
ties they serve.
Local government is the
although “commendable
most important enabler
progress” has been made
first point of contact
of economic growth and
through the provision
between government and
report shows that only
development.”
of water, sanitation and
the people. When there
5% of the country’s mu-
“Municipalities are the
He said a government
other basic services to
are local government
nicipalities are financially
sible for the delivery of
communities, further
failures, the effects are felt
stable, while other mu-
services to turn adversity
improvement requires
immediately and they are
nicipalities are in financial
into opportunity and local
a concerted effort from
far-reaching,” he added.
distress, with insufficient
government around.
each municipality and its
He called those respon-
The conference was one of the biggest gatherings
leadership. “The task before us now
revenue to meet their
Municipal challenges
expenses. In addition, 64 munici-
of all three spheres of
is to consolidate these
The President painted a
palities are considered to
government, civil society,
gains, to deepen them
picture of the challenges
be dysfunctional and at
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Public Sector Manager • March 2022
