By Minister Jeff Radebe
With the excitement of the local government elections having come and gone, the thoughts of South Africans now inevitably turn to governance in municipalities across South Africa. Our votes allowed us to elect councillors who would address the needs in our communities and serve all people equally.
Every councillor has been entrusted with the will of the people and must now set about improving the communities they serve. Their role to ensure and expand access to basic services will be crucial. They are also the interface between communities and local government and should therefore deal with issues that are specific to the communities they serve.
The government, through the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and a range of stakeholders within and outside the government, will prepare councillors for the formidable task ahead through the Integrated Induction Programme.
This programme has been specifically designed to orientate new councillors with their roles and responsibilities, while returning councillors are offered a refresher course. It is anchored on the Back to Basics approach which was instituted to ensure that all municipalities perform their basic functions without compromise.
We are convinced that these sessions will provide councillors with a better understanding of their responsibility in putting people first, promoting good governance, transparency and accountability and ensuring sound financial management and accounting.
This process will ensure that the councillors we elected are ready to serve and can get to work to deliver on the mandates given to them by voters.
It is therefore our responsibility as citizens to hold them to account if they do not. Most South Africans think our democratic duty ends with voting, or that we cannot influence government in any other way. Fortunately our constitutional dispensation provides space for meaningful public participation.
Public participation is a vital part of our democracy, and allows for citizens to get involved in how their communities are governed. At local government level, the Local Government Structures Act, 1998, requires, amongst others, municipalities to develop mechanisms to consult communities and community organisations in performing their functions and exercising their powers.
These structures are commonly known as Ward Committees, and provide a vital link between Ward Councilors, the community and the municipality. They allow for members of communities to influence municipal planning in a manner that best addresses their needs.
We should make use of various platforms such as ward committees that have been created to regularly engage them and get feedback on various developments in our areas.
The ward committees were established to help improve communication between local municipalities and communities. They play an important role in linking the community’s needs and the municipal planning processes. Members who serve on these committees are thus well placed to ensure that resources are allocated where communities most need them.
In the coming months, Ward Committees will be elected to serve their communities and we encourage citizens to make themselves available to serve on these. Our democracy is made stronger when South Africans are involved and actively hold government to account.
The government wants to remind South Africans that Ward Committees are but one way to make their voices heard. We are and always will be a government that listens to concerns and addresses them wherever possible.
Communities and individuals who wish to make their voices heard can do so through a number of constructive platforms. These include public participation forums, izimbizo, public hearings and other processes.
The government has furthermore created various avenues which communities can use to raise complaints and propose solutions. Citizens can approach their municipal offices and attend public participation meetings or write letters to their Mayors, Premiers and MECs.
We invite South Africans to actively participate in our democracy. The voices of all citizens is valued and will undoubtedly help to move our nation forward.
Jeff Radebe is the Minister in The Presidency
