development in nodal communities
11 October 2007
The Ministry and the Department of Provincial and Local Government (the
dplg), in partnership with the Business Trust officially launched a local
economic development framework under the theme "Stimulating and Developing
Sustainable Local Economies" in Boksburg, Gauteng today.
At an Indaba on Shared Economic Growth Partnership for the Presidential
Nodes, the Minister for Provincial and Local Government Sydney Mufamadi
alongside the Chief Executive Officer of the Business Trust Mr Brian Whittaker
introduced economic profiles that are aimed at addressing issues of
intelligence on economic challenges in the nodal municipalities.
Although government has recorded significant progress with regard to
development, particularly in the nodal areas, challenges continue to persist in
removing poverty and creating employment. "According to the impact assessment
studies conducted in 2006/07, the Urban Renewal Programme and Integrated
Sustainable Rural Development Programme have contributed significantly to the
fast tracking of service delivery and changing the lives of the people for the
better" said Minister Mufamadi.
The economic profiles of the 21 nodal municipalities will provide government
and business with the possibility to create an environment for the development
of local economies. "The economic profiles we are launching today provide us
with the necessary ingredients for success," said the Minister.
"They give us a sense of how these rural and urban nodes feature in the
national spatial perspective," he added. The Minister acknowledged the input
and contribution of the Business Trust and the business community at large for
their effort in developing local economies. He noted that the shared growth
perspective for local economies can only be made possible through a wide
spectrum of stakeholders. This is not limited to local municipalities but
trans-local and regional actors.
He called on government, its agencies and business to see these economic
profiles as a mobilising instrument that will help mobilise government-wide
resources and direct them towards the achievement of the goal of sustainable
service delivery and economic development. The Director-General of the
Department of Provincial and Local Government, Ms Lindiwe Msengana-Ndlela
acknowledged the role of partnerships in the development of communities and
their local economies.
"In the context of economic development, good governance entails effective
partnerships between and within communities, the civic and non-governmental
sector, the business sector, government and other local key actors in order to
achieve stated development outcomes," said Msengana-Ndlela.
"Government is just but one of the important actors in development," she
added
This initiative is intended to introduce a fresh economic development dimension
to urban renewal and rural development. It is envisaged that the success of
this initiative should provide a platform and a model for application in the
other parts of the country that face similar development dynamics and
challenges such as those in the identified nodes.
Issued by: Department of Provincial and Local Government
11 October 2007
Source: Department of Provincial and Local Government (http://www.dplg.gov.za)
