Deputy Minister Leads Municipal Support Initiative in Mpumalanga
On 24 October, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Dr. Namane Dickson Masemola, led a ministerial support and intervention outreach in the Gert Sibande District, Mpumalanga. The initiative aimed to enhance municipal performance in the province and was attended by key officials, including MEC for CoGHSTA, Mr. Speed Mashilo, district and local […]
On 24 October, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Dr. Namane Dickson Masemola, led a ministerial support and intervention outreach in the Gert Sibande District, Mpumalanga. The initiative aimed to enhance municipal performance in the province and was attended by key officials, including MEC for CoGHSTA, Mr. Speed Mashilo, district and local mayors, councillors, municipal speakers, South African Local Government Association (SALGA) representatives, traditional leaders, and senior government officials.
This outreach marks the fourth in a series designed to improve the functioning of municipalities, in line with CoGTA’s mission to ensure that “every municipality works.” The initiative aligns with the constitutional mandate in Section 154, which obliges provincial and national governments to support municipalities in strengthening their capacity to deliver services.
Action Plan to Address Key Challenges
The engagement’s focus areas were informed by recent findings from the Auditor-General’s report and the State of Local Government Report. Key discussions revolved around a collaborative action plan aimed at addressing challenges in administration, governance, financial management, political stability, and service delivery within the municipalities.
Dr. Masemola emphasised the importance of a coordinated approach to tackling the issues facing local governments. “Our collective efforts must focus on building resilient municipalities that can effectively serve communities and ensure sustainable development,” he said.
Participants shared insights on best practices for improving governance and administrative efficiency, while also addressing financial mismanagement and political instability—identified as significant hurdles to service delivery. The discussions underscored the need for continuous support and monitoring to ensure that local governments meet their service delivery obligations.
The outreach initiative forms part of CoGTA’s ongoing campaign to drive sustainable improvements in local governance across the country, with further engagements planned for other districts in the coming months.