By Nangamso Mabindla
24 October 2007

BUFFALO City executive mayor Peter was elected chairperson of the South African Cities Network (SACN) at its Annual General Meeting in Cape Town on Wednesday, 24 October.

The SACN is a network of South African cities and partners that encourages the exchange of information, experience and best practices on urban development and city management. Members include Buffalo City, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Ekurhuleni, eThekweni, Mangaung, Msunduzi, Nelson Mandela Metro and Tshwane.

Accepting her new responsibility Peter said: "I am a little bit overwhelmed by the fact that this is a big responsibility. But I am also proud and excited, because I think the Cities Network plays a very important role as a structure that seeks to define and represent the interests of our major and secondary cities in the country."

Peter said her appointment proved that cities like Buffalo City had a role to play in shaping the country's urban development and city management.

"I take my election also as recognition of the fact that the secondary cities will continue playing a critical role, particularly in regional economies such as the Eastern Cape," said Peter.

Her election represented an opportunity to take forward the nine cities' collective vision and agenda to build a new future for that is more inclusive, productive and sustainable.

Peter also called on cities to strengthen their voice in national debates. "Many national decisions fundamentally impact on city governments, yet municipal voices are weak and fragmented and this tier of government is inadequately represented at key national decision-making forums."