Salga identifies challenges
By Nangamso Mabindla
15 April 2005
REPRESENTATIVES from the South African Local Government Association (Salga) have been meeting in East London to "chart a way forward" in their efforts to help transform local government.
The association - set up to aid municipalities in their transformation process - spent part of the three-day Annual General Meeting reflecting on the past decade and planning for the next 10 years.
"We will be charting a way forward for further transformation and consolidation of local government," said Salga Eastern Cape chairperson, Sakhumzi Somyo.
He was speaking at the sixth AGM, held at the East London City Hall, ahead of the elections for a new executive.
Salga has achieved much in aiding the amalgamation and re-establishment of new municipalities, including investigating the core functions and responsibilities of municipalities, over the past decade.
"But, despite our achievements, we still have a lot of challenges ahead and I hope the new executive will improve on those achievements," said Somyo.
Challenges still facing local government include:
- the inclusion of traditional leaders within the local government system,
- the ensuring of equal representation; and
- an effective ward committee system.
"Also there is a need for greater intergovernmental relations in aligning the Provincial Growth and Development Plan to our Integrated Development Plan," he added.
However, if local government aligned its programmes with the national 2014 vision, these challenges could be overcome, Somyo said.
The 2014 vision aims to reduce unemployment and poverty by half, provide skills to boost the economy, and ensure all South Africa are able to exercise their constitutional rights and enjoy the dignity of freedom.
"This is the challenge that is put in front of this new executive - we need to ensure that we deliver on services for our people," Somyo said.
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