26 November 2007
The Mpumalanga Department of Local Government and Housing is to embark on a
vigorous process to expedite capacity building programmes at municipalities.
This was announced by department's MEC Candith Mashego-Dlamini at this year's
Vuna Awards. Municipalities were judged on five key performance areas, namely
Institutional Transformation, Municipal Service Delivery, Local Economic
Development, Municipal Financial Viability and Management and Good Governance
and Public Participation.
MEC Mashego-Dlamini said the awarding of the municipalities will enable the
department to gather information on the performance and status of
municipalities. A service provider has been appointed to assist municipalities
on Local Economic Development matters. The capacity building programme will
entail:
Category one:
All municipalities from the former homeland governments predominantly
characterised by common challenges that warrant specific capacity building
interventions that are tailor made to boost the institutional capacity
arrangements under this category.
Category two:
Municipalities predominantly from the former TPA administrations (former
white towns) that are smaller in sizes possessing a fair amount of resources
but however facing serious challenges due to institutional capacities to manage
their current extended jurisdictions.
Category three:
Large municipalities such as districts, and the four cities in the province
who possess a reasonable level of capacity, whose programme maybe tailor-made
to enhance their capacity for redistribution, social-economic development and
transformation.
The Nkangala District Municipality scooped the Category C award and Steve
Tshwete Local Municipality won the Category B award. They both pocketed R750
000 and a trophy each, whilst Umjindi, Moroka and Emalahleni Municipalities
received R50 000 each for best consistent, most improved lower capacity and
most accurate date provided respectively. The two municipalities will represent
the province on 4 December at the National Awards in Gauteng. This year saw a
significant improvement with 15 municipalities taking part in the drive.
Contact:
Simphiwe Kunene
Cell: 082 413 3931
Issued by: Department of Local Government and Housing, Mpumalanga Provincial
Government
26 November 2007
