Every Municipality Must Work
The Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Namane Dickson Masemola, has underscored the critical role of municipalities—particularly the City of Johannesburg—in safeguarding South Africa’s constitutional mandate, national stability, and socio-economic development.
Addressing municipal leadership, Dr Masemola reaffirmed that municipalities derive their authority directly from the Constitution, and must execute their responsibilities in line with Sections 152, 153 and 156, which outline the objectives, developmental duties, and powers of local government.
He stressed that municipal performance is not optional, but a constitutional obligation. Failure to deliver undermines both public trust and the foundational principles of governance. “When municipalities fail, they do not only disappoint communities, but weaken the very fabric of our constitutional democracy,” he said.
Highlighting the state of local government nationally, Dr Masemola noted with concern that out of 257 municipalities, only a small proportion are performing optimally, while many remain at risk or in distress. Financial mismanagement, weak revenue collection, and governance challenges continue to undermine service delivery and development outcomes.
The Deputy Minister emphasised the strategic importance of Johannesburg as the country’s economic anchor. With a significant contribution to national GDP, and as a hub for finance, trade and industry, the city’s performance has direct implications for national economic stability. “Johannesburg’s success strengthens the country; its failure weakens it,” he stated.
Dr Masemola further called for stronger financial discipline, improved governance systems, and enhanced accountability within municipalities. He underscored the oversight role of National Treasury in terms of Section 216 of the Constitution, particularly in stabilising municipal finances where necessary.
The Deputy Minister also highlighted broader societal challenges, including rising unemployment—especially among youth and women—and declining electoral participation. He urged municipalities to strengthen community engagement, rebuild public trust, and create inclusive economic opportunities.
Recognising the complexity of metropolitan governance, Dr Masemola stressed that cities such as Johannesburg require innovative, coordinated, and responsive leadership to manage urbanisation, migration, infrastructure demands, and service delivery pressures.
He further called for enhanced oversight by institutions such as the Public Service Commission to ensure improved administrative performance and alignment across all spheres of government, in line with Section 195 of the Constitution.
In closing, Dr Masemola reaffirmed government’s commitment to working collaboratively across all spheres to strengthen local government and ensure that every municipality functions effectively. “Every municipality must work. Through partnership, accountability, and decisive leadership, we can restore confidence and deliver on the promise of local government,” he concluded.
#JoburgCantFail
#EveryMunicipalityMustWork