WHY LOCAL GOVERNMENT
IS CRITICAL As we emerge from the local government elections, we unpack the key deliverables South African voters expect from local government’s new set of leaders. By Ryland Fisher
T
he outcome of the 1 November local government elections – which recorded the lowest-ever voter turnout – is an opportunity for municipalities to reflect on their priorities, and ensure that they deliver services properly and don’t hire ill-experienced or unqualified people if they want to restore confidence in local government. These were among the views expressed by political commentators after the elections and in anticipation of the next five-year term of local authorities. Political commentator Asanda Ngoasheng said municipalities should focus on listening to people and acting once complaints are received about officials as well as developing true public participation systems beyond ticking boxes. “Civic engagement with communities is critical for ensuring people-led development and developing fit-for-purpose solutions that ensure municipalities win, and the people win and feel as though they belong to a functioning local government system.
“Municipalities should also implement anticorruption measures and disrupt lines of patronage so that all residents can receive equal service delivery rather than the current status where only those with friends and family in the local government get speedy service delivery.”
HOLD COUNCILLORS TO ACCOUNT Ngoasheng said communities needed to play a more active role in holding councillors to account. “Communities need to turn out in their numbers for all public participation processes and file official complaints against government officials and politicians not doing their jobs long before they organise a service delivery protest. They also need to organise themselves as ratepayers, community activists, youth forums and other groupings to ensure that their voices are heard across the halls of government and that they can influence policies and decisions at local government level.”
“Civic engagement with communities is critical for ensuring people-led development and developing fit-for-purpose solutions that ensure municipalities win, and the people win.” – Asanda Ngoasheng Asanda Ngoasheng
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VOICE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
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