Course will boost councillors’ skills
By Tabisa Mntengwana
March 31, 2009
IN an effort to improve service delivery in Buffalo City, 19 councillors completed a course on local government administration at the Walter Sisulu University (WSU), receiving their national certificates on Saturday, 28 March.
The course began in March 2007. According to the university, the course will contribute to the councillors’ personal development and add value to each of them, while improving their management skills and career prospects.
Held at the East London City Hall, the ceremony kicked off at 10am with an address by the university’s vice-chancellor, Malusi Balintuli. “It is a great pleasure to have graduates of your stature; we also thank Buffalo City for making you available for your classes.”
Acting Executive Mayor Sizwe Dikimolo also spoke. “It is imperative for councillors to have adequate skills in several areas of operation … in the running of the municipality,” he said.
The relationship the City had had with the university had been remarkable through these capacity building programmes.
Dikimolo also congratulated all the councillors for their support of each other. “[Given] the challenges you during your studies, we are happy that you are reaping the fruits of your dedication.”
Speaker in the council, Luleka Simon, noted that there had been obstacles along the way. “Even though they took two years to finish this programme, it’s a great pleasure that WSU was patient and played a significant role during the process.”
The course included modules on communication; local government management and administration; municipal systems and service provision; local government finance; and intergovernmental relations.
The local government management and administration module gave the councillors an insight into the development of local government from the colonial era, apartheid are and post-apartheid era.
The intergovernmental relations module included the emerging of local government as a junior partner to the national and provincial spheres.
Ward councillor Mayenzeke Dinizulu said, “This day is a milestone, especially on the part of the councillor development programme which will assist us on making service delivery a priority.
“It will also help us conduct ourselves well and use our role to oversee projects going accordingly.”
Contact us:
