Pretoria – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday told the South African Local Government (Salga) conference delegates that they have the opportunity and the responsibility to transform communities.
“Our people have elected you because they trust you and have confidence in your ability to lead and to transform their communities and their lives. They also have confidence that you will use the assets and resources they have put under your custodianship prudently,” he said.
Speaking at the conference in Sandton, north of Johannesburg, Deputy President Ramaphosa said communities have confidence in Salga that it will prioritise development and work tirelessly to advance their interests.
“They hope for an activist cadre of local leadership that will get out of the council chamber and walk the rocky and difficult journey of progress with them. When we see remote villages electrified, rural roads tarred and homes connected to running water, we are assured that local government is hard at work,” he said.
He said all structures of the local government in all parts of the country serve all the people.
“With a partner like Salga, we will achieve the country of our dreams, where we have eradicated informal settlements and provided decent sanitation to all. With a partner like Salga, we will ensure that women and girls do not have to risk violence and rape because of inadequate street lighting or having to use communal toilets,” said Deputy President Ramaphosa.
He said Salga must lead communities to reclaim their streets from the terror of drug lords and gangsters.
Striving for better municipalities
“We seek municipalities in metros, cities, towns and rural areas - whose central purpose is to enable job creation, sustainable livelihoods and successful human settlements.
“Our municipalities should seek creative ways that can only be limited by our imagination of removing the barriers that were created by apartheid and a regulatory framework which stifle initiative, cooperation and efficient resource use,” he said.
The Deputy President said municipalities need to use technology more effectively to foster innovation, to encourage thinking that looks beyond the immediate constraints to significantly increase local investment and economic activity.
“Municipalities should be incubating entrepreneurs and creating an environment for faster, greater employment creation,” he said.
He said Salga have a responsibility to realise the vision of a just, democratic and equal society.
“We have a responsibility to work to unite the people of South Africa. For unity is paramount,” he said.
Accountable councillors
Deputy President Ramaphosa said councillors that are appointed must be accountable and responsive.
“They must be honest, trustworthy and uphold the highest standards of ethical behaviour. No councillor must ever again be accused of 'chowing our money'.
“We want councillors that are capable, that understand public finances, that have experience in management and that have a firm grasp of the theory and practice of governance. They must always be trying to improve their skills and expand their knowledge.
“We want councillors that focus all their efforts and talents on the economic development of their areas and the provision of quality services to their people,” he said.
Salga conference
The conference, convened by the National Executive Committee of Salga, is held under the theme “Inspiring Service Delivery: Building a Sustainable, Responsive & People Centred Local Government System”.
The national conference, which is held every five years, is attended by municipal mayors, speakers, municipal managers and chief financial officers.
In addition, there are delegates from government, academic institutions, partners and stakeholders within the local government sector as well as business.
Salga is an association that represents the voice of about 257 municipalities divided into local, district and metropolitan.
It also interfaces with Parliament, the National Council of Provinces, Cabinet as well as Provincial Legislatures. – SAnews.gov.za
