Hangana on Budget Vote 2006/07 debate in the National Council of
Provinces
30 May 2006
Chairperson
Honourable Minister for Provincial and Local Government
The leadership of South African Local Government Association (SALGA)
Honourable MECs and Honourable members
We present this Budget Vote before this House after having successfully
conducted the second local government elections, which were declared free and
fair. We also noted the large voter turnout compared to our first local
government elections. This could only mean our system of local government is
improving and that our people have clearly seen the relevance of this sphere of
government in their lives. We, of course, could not be exclaiming this victory
without the pivotal role that this House has played in bringing about these
local government elections.
Our system of local government is based on social dialogue wherein
communities and the public at large are required by legislation to influence
and direct policy and development within their municipalities. Indeed, the last
term of local government was marked by both achievements and challenges.
The interactions with our communities and reaching local governments and
local ownership of local development processes, including participation in the
initiatives that are aimed at the identification and prioritisation of
developmental needs, form a critical cornerstone that defines our system of
social dialogue.
It is undeniable that more people share in the hope that our President
talked about and that is where we are headed as government. Improving greater
public participation through ward committees and ensuring that each ward has a
voice in how its municipality should be governed are going to occupy centre
stage in this term of local government.
South Africa recognises that culture, religion and language are central
factors in the holistic development of a nation. It was befitting therefore
that in 2004 we saw the commission for the promotion and protection of these
rights come into operation to entrench their role of facilitating communication
between communities and government in terms of these issues.
Whilst we learnt from the municipal izimbizo programme that most ward
committees have been established and members understand their critical role as
linkages between the municipality and communities, we equally noted areas that
inhibited the effective operation of these ward committees. We continue to
encourage communities to participate in these structures and support our local
government system to be responsive, transparent and accountable to our
communities.
We also recognise the role of traditional institutions in our development
path. We have finalised legislation that has transformed the composition of
traditional councils to provide the elements of democracy. We are encouraged
that the traditional leadership now plays a part in the national, provincial
and local spheres of governmentâs development agenda. We envisage a partnership
with the traditional leaders that must lend a hand in uplifting the standards
of living for an estimated 14 million people living in the rural areas.
It is essential that we create conditions in which the local economy can
grow. The governmentâs framework for stimulating the local economy clearly
indicates the need for sustainable community investment programmes.
Municipalities have a responsibility to see that available opportunities are
properly utilised at local level. There is ample scope for innovative ideas and
practices in this regard, which can frequently be developed through community
stakeholder participation.
With regards to disaster management, the heavy rains that occurred in the
North West province between January and April this year resulted in flooding
and caused extensive damage to infrastructure in the Greater Taung Municipal
area. Even though we are confident that our National Disaster Management Centre
is gradually enhancing its capacity to detect and respond timeously to these
occurrences, we note that good governance is a prerequisite for effective
disaster management and, more broadly, for sustainable development.
Significant advances have been made in this regard to keep up with
international standards and in terms of a paradigm shift from response and
recovery to that of prevention and mitigation. We must ensure that natural
hazards, which are inevitable, do not necessarily turn into major economic and
social disasters.
In conclusion, the local government elections held on 1 March marked the
beginning of a second term of office for elected mayors and councillors since
the introduction of our new system of local government in 2000. This is an
important milestone in strengthening the democratic participation on which our
Constitution is founded.
If we all agree that poverty is not just a lack of physical resources for
development but also implies powerlessness or the inability to exert influence
upon those forces which shape our livelihoods, then it is important to create
opportunities for all our communities to participate and contribute in
structures of governance, including women and youth. Local government plays a
pivotal role in this realisation.
We have asked ourselves some key questions as we started this term of local
government that have led us as government to the same conclusion, and it is
that we cannot stand before you in 2011 but to say to you that we are on a
sustained path for better service delivery to our communities.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Provincial and Local Government
30 May 2006
Source: Hansard
