Following the assumption of duty, the new executives of CoGTA led by Minister Thembi Nkadimeng and Deputy Ministers Parks Tau and Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe led a series of strategic engagements with CoGTA officials. The officials were led by the Directors-General and the CEO of MISA and other senior managers.

The strategic engagements focused on the work and plans of the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA), the Department of Traditional Affairs (DTA), and the Department of Cooperative Governance(CoGTA).

As part of these engagements, the principals also attended the dialogue with the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San leaders (NHTKL) which assisted them to appreciate key issues from this important sector.

The meetings provided an opportunity to look at the plans and reviewed progress regarding the implementation of various programmes. In addition, the engagements also provided principals an opportunity to provide the much-needed strategic guidance for a coherent, effective, and efficient functioning CoGTA that delivers on its mandate.

It is important to note that local governments should be seen as the cornerstones in the structure of a democratic political system since it serves as a vehicle for intelligent and responsible citizenship on this particular level.

To this effect, principals made it clear that it cannot be business as usual, we need to get down to nuts and bolts, look at all resources at our disposal, engage all stakeholders, swing into action, and get cracking. The principals emphasised that government should work together and have a positive impact on the lives of communities we serve across the country.

In this regard, officials committed to working together and putting the hand on the wheel as guided by principals. These key issues highlighted in the engagements will form part of CoGTA blueprints, the strategic plans, and the APPs.

The principals urged officials to double their efforts, work smarter, stop silos, and ensure integration and coordination to maximise our response to the developmental needs of communities on the ground.

Addressing senior managers, Minister Nkadimeng emphasised that the sector needs to “re-imagine its contribution to South Africa’s development and the overall wellbeing of communities who depend on the work of municipalities and government in general.

Minister added that the drive to arrest the service delivery disruptions in municipalities as a result of poor or no service delivery due to many perennial well-publicised challenges like those related to finances, governance and corruption is more urgent and can’t be left unattended.

To ensure that municipalities are adequately capacitated to provide these essential basic services to communities, the Constitution contains several provisions that envisage a support and oversight role for national and provincial governments about local government, in the spirit of cooperative government, These include – Section 154(1). Minister emphasised sustained support to our municipalities and not only come during times of challenges.

Minister and Deputy Minister urged senior managers to ensure their performance can be measured by the extent to which they were able to transform the lives of the people in a meaningful and sustainable way.

Minister added that the outcomes of the strategic engagement sessions should inform the priorities of CoGTA which will be announced in due time.

There was an acknowledgement that a lot of work lies ahead and that CoGTA should be focused, capable, and ready to deliver as expected.

Enquiries:
Mr Legadima Leso
0664799904

Issued by the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs