2 May 2007
The Department of Provincial and Local Government (the dplg) launched a
comprehensive package of books and guidelines intended to support all three
spheres of government in implementing the Intergovernmental Relations (IGR)
Framework Act of 2005, today at the Cape Town International Convention
Centre.
The launch of the Toolkit took place during the first day of the two-day
summit on intergovernmental relations organised by the National Council of
Provinces (NCOP) attended by the Chairperson of the NCOP, Mr Mninwa Mahlangu,
Minister for Defence Mr Mosioua Lekota, and the Chairperson of South African
Local Government Association (SALGA) Councillor Amos Masondo. Also in
attendance were Speakers of various Provincial Legislatures, MECs and
Mayors.
The IGR toolkit consists of a number of publications designed to inform and
educate officials across the three spheres of government and IGR practitioners
on the theory, policy and practice of Intergovernmental Relations. The toolkit
was unveiled by the Minister for Provincial and Local Government, Mr Sydney
Mufamadi and presented by the Director-General Ms Lindiwe Msengana-Ndlela
during the summit.
Minister Mufamadi noted the impact the two legislations, namely: IGR Act and
the Municipal Systems Act have made in transforming government and enhancing
the pace of service delivery. He called on all spheres of government to work
co-operate together to achieve goals set by government. "We are convinced that
our national economic forecast of 6% real growth is not realisable unless our
three spheres of government work more closely together," said Minister
Mufamadi.
âGrowing co-operation between government spheres has already helped to
improve the quality of the integrated development plans of our municipalities,â
he added.
Minister Mufamadi said that governmentâs attention will now be focused on the
task of growing the economy following the introduction of the Accelerated and
Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA) and the holding of Local
Economic Development Summits in the 46 districts and five metropolitan
municipalities.
Msengana-Ndlela unpacked the toolkit highlighting the purpose of each of its
components. She added that for government to meet its development
targets, co-ordinated cooperation between the spheres of government is
required.
âIGR is not an end by itself but a means to an endâ. IGR is therefore a means
towards accelerated service delivery and development, said
Msengana-Ndlela.
She added that Government is now looking at a solution-orientated approach and
not at ad hoc interventions to challenges that exist.
Like the Constitution, the IGR Act provides for a framework within which
co-operative government and intergovernmental relations should find space.
Expansion of scope and details are to be found in guidelines, regulations,
circulars, booklets, communications, etc. The IGR Toolkit is meant to provide
with such a scope.
âIn addition to technical and leadership capacity, there must be improved
measures for coordinated action, integration and accountability in all the
three spheres of governmentâ she concluded.
The IGR Toolkit currently comprises the following documents, but is a dynamic
product that will incorporate new materials over time.
Booklet: The IGR Framework Act - A pocket book on Evolution and Practice
A handy reference guide to the IRFA, its evolution and current purpose. An
advisory booklet intended to assist officials with the management and
implementation of the Act, its systems, structures and intended co-operative
outcomes for improved predictability in government.
Book: A Practitioners Guide to the IGR System in South Africa
This guide explores the fundamental constitutional principles of
distinctiveness, supervision and cooperation to explain our system of
intergovernmental relations within the parameters of our governance, fiscal,
legislative and planning environments. A 'must have' for all officials,
academics, students, research associates and development partners.
Policy Guidelines: Managing Joint Programmes
This guideline explains how joint programmes are managed within a particular
sphere of government. The emphasis is on transcending the conventional
organisational boundaries in planning, budgeting and implementation, thereby
resulting in a number of departments, agencies, or ministries being
collectively responsible and accountable for the success of a joint
programme.
Policy Guidelines: Implementation Protocols
These protocols, as outlined in the IGRFA, are intended to be used
inter-governmentally for meeting national development priorities and to fulfil
legal obligations. Protocols are thus intended to facilitate multi and
inter-sphere participation in the performance of development duties: The
emphasis is on co-ordination, integration, shared resources and
responsibilities and the effective and strategic use of IGR Forums.
Policy Guidelines: Sections 100 and 139 of the Constitution
The object of these guidelines is to provide a user-friendly document on the
application of sections 100 and 139 of the Constitution and to provide
elaboration of the relevant section in the Municipal Finance Management Act
(MFMA). In the case of section 100, the general provisions of the Constitution
are interpreted in light of Constitutional Court judgments. The same approach
has been followed with regard to section 139(1) interventions.
These updated guidelines emanate from an amendment of the Constitution,
particularly to consider the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA)
implications. Thus the detailed legal provisions of the Act have been
systematised to provide an easy and systematic approach to the various
provisions.
Policy Guidelines: Intergovernmental Dispute Settlements
The objective of this policy guideline is to assist organs of state in the
national, provincial and local spheres of government to manage IGR conflicts
appropriately. The guideline emphasizes how governments must operate within
their constitutional mandate, requiring organs of state to "avoid legal
proceedings against one another". It advises on the processes to follow in
preventing and facilitating the settlement of IGR disputes.
Policy Guidelines: The Assignment of Powers and Functions
This guideline explains the various methods by which a legislature or an
executive organ of state may assign or delegate additional powers and functions
to municipalities. It explains the constitutional and statutory provisions
which are relevant to the assignment or delegation of these additional powers
and functions to municipalities.
Compact Disc (CD), brochure, and poster: Working Together for Development -
Understanding IGR
These are informative and educational communications products. They were
developed using film, visuals, design and plain language to encourage broad
receptivity and interest in IGR. The products are intended to enhance
stakeholder engagements, enliven official and public events and promote
interest and understanding in complex government systems and challenges amongst
a broad range of officials and partners.
IGR Structures: Internal Rules Guidelines
Because intergovernmental structures cover a wide range of structures, from
the President's Co-ordinating Council (PCC) at the apex of the
intergovernmental relations system to the technical support structures of a
district intergovernmental forum, broad guidelines are provided that are
generic to all the institutions. The Guidelines are based on the operational
policy guidelines developed for the effective functioning of the PCC.
IGR Analysis: Intergovernmental Co-operation and Agreements
This document covers public management and administration and provides a
Constitutional perspective on intergovernmental co-operation and agreements. It
includes issues of executive representation, domestic international agreements,
provincial and municipal instruments for international co-operation, budgeting
for IGR co-operation and intergovernmental transacting.
To download the Toolkit go to: http://www.thedplg.gov.za.
Enquiries:
Luzuko Koti
Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 083 391 0073
E-mail: luzukok@dplg.gov.za
Source: Department of Provincial and Local Government (http://www.thedplg.gov.za)
2 May 2007
