Deputy Minister Andries Nel calls for effective collaboration in implementing back to basics

Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Andries Nel appealed for collaboration across the three spheres of government in implementing the Back to Basics programme and warned of consequences for failure to do so.

He was speaking at the launch of the North West Provincial Back to Basics launch convened by Premier Supra Mahumapelo in Rustenburg.

Deputy Minister Nel reiterated President Jacob Zuma’s call to prioritise local government. “In his State of the Nation Address, President Zuma spoke passionately about the need to ensure that people have a positive experience of government, now we need to show unwavering commitment to implement the Back to Basics programme,” he said. 

Delivering the back to Basics overview presentation, Deputy Minister Andries Nel said the local government sphere remained important. “Of each of the 278 municipalities, is where educational, health, recreational, economic, housing and other related activities take place daily.”

He added that collaboration between various spheres of government was crucial in implementing the Back to Basics approach, which in turn will help in monitoring and tracking of local government service delivery. “We are optimistic that the Inter-Ministerial Service Delivery Task Team, chaired by Minister Pravin Gordhan, will help to clear obstacles to improving the quality and rate of service delivery.”

Deputy Minister Nel also highlighted the National Development Plan’s (NDP) clear objectives on transforming local government and a commitment towards the creation of more functional municipalities and a capable machinery at a local level.

“To be able to implement the National Development Plan, we need to get the basics right in our municipalities,” he concluded.

North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo welcomed the launch of the Back to Basics programme and urged officials to keep close contact with communities through effective service delivery. “We must make sure that we track the services that are being taken to the people. If we promise to provide shelter, let it be and not just run a talk show. My office has introduced the Setsokotsane approach where we engage with communities and get feedback from them on the services that they receive,” he said.

Mayors from various municipalities in the North West signed a pledge committing to implement the back to basics approach and ensuring the delivery of quality services.  

Deputy Minister Nel’s full Back to Basics North West province launch presentation

Media enquiries:
Mr Thando Ntlemeza, 
Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Cell: 072 151 1266

 

Share this page

Similar categories to explore