By Tabisa Mntengwana
June 30, 2009

MORE than 450 outgoing ward committee members have been thanked for the dedication and commitment they have shown while working for the City.

In recognition of their hard work, the City held a farewell function for the members at the East London City Hall on 25 June.

The ceremony, initiated by the Office of the Speaker and the City’s public participation unit, was held to acknowledge the outstanding role they played and for the time they had sacrificed voluntarily to undertake community development work.

Delivering his keynote address, the portfolio head for special programmes, Sakhumzi Caga, said that community participation should be tied together with the feeling of ownership of any development that took place in the ward committee member’s area. “They should take pride in the developments and own them as they are done for their communities.”

The day marked the end of the ward committee members’ terms of office. “And we also bid farewell to the women and men who have demonstrated unparalleled enthusiasm for community development,” he said.

Speaker Luleka Simon echoed his sentiments, saying: “These men and women worked 24 hours [a day] voluntarily, working towards improving service delivery. As the council we thank them and wish them well.”

Formed in 2005, ward committees were established to help councillors identify conditions, problems and needs of residents in each ward.

According to a council report, they are also expected to spread relevant information to residents to help them access municipal services and to interact with forums, including police forums and non-governmental organisations.

“Ward committees are also asked to promote and further the best interests of the ward and also to make recommendations to the council on planned capital projects affecting a particular ward,” reads a press statement.

Caga added: “Ward committees are indeed important tools for participatory democracy and citizens are able to hold the state to account for the decisions taken on their behalf and the implementation of policies.”

The culture of participation by communities must be encouraged to ensure that citizens did not find themselves at the receiving end of their development, but rather saw themselves as active participants.

He urged ward committees to help ward councillors perform their constituency work and to be independent and impartial advisory bodies.

On behalf of all ward committee members, outgoing member Nomela Zide thanked the City for recognising their efforts.

After the formalities the outgoing members were given certificates and travel bags.

According to municipal spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya, ward committees are volunteers; they are not paid but receive transport stipends for attending official duties and ward committee meetings.