GAUTENG LOCAL GOVERNMENT TURNAROUND SUMMIT - PAVES THE WAY TO BUILDING SMART AND RESILIENT MUNICIPALITIES

Following a concerning financial report on Gauteng municipalities by the Auditor General (AG), Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure Development and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Jacob Mamabolo, has urged Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) structures responsible for municipal functionality in Gauteng to take immediate action to address challenges facing local government.

Municipal audit outcomes should be used as a critical measure of strengths and weaknesses in municipal operations.

"Building smart and resilient municipalities requires strong leadership, professional administration, and collaborative partnerships across government spheres."- Premier Panyaza Lesufi

The Gauteng Local Government Turnaround Summit, held on 23–24 October 2024 at Misty Hills Hotel and Conference Centre in Mogale City, West Rand Region, was opened and closed by Premier Panyaza Lesufi. It concluded with participants pledging firm commitments to drive transformative changes in local municipalities.

Themed “Building Smart and Resilient Municipalities of the Future,” the summit brought together representatives from eleven municipalities, provincial and national government departments, state-owned entities, and local government experts. Facilitated by former Statistician-General Dr Pali Lehohla, the summit featured reports from institutions such as the Gauteng City Region Observatory (GCRO), AGSA, Stats SA, and the South African Cities Network.

Traditional leaders, mayors, and members of mayoral committees also contributed to discussions addressing the challenges in local governance, producing actionable solutions through various commissions.

During the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Dr Dickson Masemola, highlighted the importance of professionalising local government by appointing qualified individuals to the right positions. He also noted an ongoing review of the white paper on municipal funding models.

MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Mr Lebogang Maile, presented a report on the financial state of Gauteng municipalities, stating that provincial Treasury had deployed technical advisors to support financial management and implementation of Financial Recovery Plans. MEC Mamabolo announced the formation of an implementation monitoring committee comprising MMCs for Corporate Services and municipal managers to ensure summit decisions are acted upon.

"Municapal audit outcomes must be seen as critical tools to measure strengths, address weaknesses, and ensure accountability in local government." — MEC Jacob Mamabolo

Summit Declaration and Key Issues Addressed

In the summit’s declaration, participants acknowledged persistent challenges in governance, finance, infrastructure, service delivery, local economic development, spatial restructuring, and safety and security.

Key Issues Identified:

• Serious challenges in governance, financial sustainability, and service delivery.

• Municipal Governance: Promoting clean, accountable, and ethical practices.

• Municipal Administration: Professionalising and developing municipal administration.

• Municipal Finance: Strengthening financial management with sound budgeting and reporting.

• Infrastructure and Service Delivery: Delivering high-quality projects with public participation.

• Local Economic Development: Boosting local economies in line with the Township Economy Development Act.

• Spatial Restructuring: Addressing apartheid-era spatial planning and fostering inclusivity.

• Digital Transformation: Modernising governance and service delivery systems.

• Safety and Security: Enhancing community safety and protecting infrastructure.

Closing Remarks and Priorities

Premier Lesufi thanked the collective leadership for addressing critical challenges, outlining priority areas:

• Upgrading aging water, electricity, and sewer infrastructure.

• Preparing for future water shortages.

• Addressing municipal revenue challenges.

• Tackling undocumented foreign nationals and businesses.

• Combating crime, corruption, and vandalism of government property.

• Preventing land invasions and improving waste management.

• Revitalising CBDs, particularly Johannesburg, and improving informal settlements.

• Modernising the indigent register and addressing climate change. The summit marked a critical turning point, uniting all municipalities since the 2021 local government elections under a single provincial plan for execution.

Councillor Imbizo: A Direct Follow-Up

As a follow-up, the Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs hosted a Councillor Imbizo on 10 December 2024. The event addressed pressing service delivery issues, including water and energy security and crime prevention. It also provided ward councillors with updates on strategic programmes, such as:

• Outcomes of the Local Government Turnaround Summit.

• Food safety programmes and bylaw implementation.

• Water security and demand management strategies.

• Emergency Energy Response Plan preparations.

• Planning for the 2026 local government elections.

Local government remains at the core of delivering services to communities. The summit reinforced the importance of strong leadership, accountability, and collaborative efforts to turn Gauteng municipalities around and position them for longterm success.

KEY OUTCOMES

• Reaffirming the District Development Model (DDM)

The summit reinforced the DDM One Plan as the blueprint for improving municipal governance, service delivery, and financial sustainability across the province.

• Professionalising Local Government

There is a renewed focus on appointing qualified professionals to key municipal roles to improve governance and reduce maladministration

• Addressing Aging Infrastructure

Participants prioritised upgrading water, electricity, and sewer systems to ensure sustainable service delivery and prepare for future resource shortages.

• Tackling Financial Sustainability

The summit committed to improving municipal financial management, implementing recovery plans, and addressing revenue challenges.

• Combatting Crime and Corruption

Steps were outlined to address vandalism, crime, and corruption that threaten municipal assets and service delivery.

• Local Economic Development Focus

Municipalities were urged to boost township economies and address apartheid-era spatial planning through inclusive development strategies.