By Phenyo Selinda
Cape Town — In a significant address to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Wednesday, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, presented his comprehensive vision for establishing a robust and resilient local government system in South Africa. This address, delivered during the NCOP’s Three Sphere Planning session, underscores the importance of cooperative governance and the critical role local governments play in the country’s democratic structure.
Three Sphere Planning: Enhancing Oversight for a New Era
The session, themed “Towards an Oversight Agenda for the Seventh Parliament: Delineating Key Oversight Priorities for the NCOP in the Seventh Parliament,” aimed to strengthen intergovernmental relations and ensure that the three spheres of government—national, provincial, and local—collaborate effectively in fulfilling their constitutional mandates. Minister Hlabisa highlighted the constitutional obligations of municipalities, particularly under Sections 152, 153, and 154, which mandate local governments to prioritize community needs, promote economic and social development, and actively participate in broader governmental initiatives.
“National and provincial governments have a duty to support municipalities to ensure effective governance and sustainable development,” Hlabisa emphasized, reiterating that local governments are foundational to service delivery, democratic governance, and community empowerment.
Strengthening Local Governance through Strategic Partnerships
One of the key points in Minister Hlabisa’s address was the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the National House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders. This partnership seeks to foster collaboration between traditional leaders and municipal councils, particularly in rural areas, thereby enhancing governance and service delivery. Hlabisa lauded this MoU as a crucial step towards better communication and mutual respect between municipal councillors and traditional leaders, essential for the smooth operation of local government in diverse communities.
State of Local Government: Achievements and Ongoing Challenges
During his address, Minister Hlabisa also presented the State of Local Government Report 2023, which outlines the progress made in stabilizing distressed municipalities across the country. According to the report, there has been a notable reduction in the number of municipalities classified as distressed, with an increase in those considered stable. However, Hlabisa acknowledged that significant challenges remain, particularly in areas such as financial management and infrastructure development.
Municipal infrastructure continues to be a major area of concern, with many municipalities struggling with deteriorating water and sanitation systems, inadequate waste management, and other critical infrastructure issues. The Minister highlighted the role of the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) in providing much-needed assistance to municipalities, emphasizing the importance of both increased funding and addressing the root causes of infrastructure underperformance.
“Our focus will be [on] improving infrastructure conditions, particularly in distressed municipalities, and integrating climate change adaptation into planning,” Hlabisa stated, signaling a shift towards more sustainable and resilient infrastructure development practices.
A Call for Continued Collaboration and Commitment
Minister Hlabisa concluded his address with a call to action, urging all levels of government to collaborate more effectively to address the challenges facing local governments. He stressed the importance of commitment and collaboration in overcoming these challenges and building a local government system that is capable of meeting the needs of all South Africans.
“Together, we will build a local government system that is resilient, responsive, and capable of meeting the needs of all South Africans,” Hlabisa asserted
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