President Jacob Zuma is to convene a Presidential Local Government Summit on 18 September 2014 to agree on an urgent action plan to strengthen local government by getting the basics right.
In his 2014 State of the Nation Address, the President emphasised that people's experience of local government must be a positive one. He said local government must be at the forefront of improving people's lives and creating conditions for inclusive economic growth and job creation.
He also indicated that whilst there have been successes in many municipalities, there are challenges in others. The President outlined government's plan to revitalise local government.
President Zuma has since directed the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Mr Pravin Gordhan, to bring together all Mayors, Speakers, Chief Whips, Municipal Managers and Chief Financial Officers from South Africa's 278 municipalities.
Also invited to attend are Ministers, Premiers, MECs for Cooperative Governance, Traditional Leaders, Business, Professional Bodies, Trade Unions and SALGA and Civil Society formations to collectively commit to urgent action towards improving the lives of people through improving performance in Local Government.
The details of the summit are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 18 September 2014
Time: 09h00
Venue: Saint George's Hotel and Conference Centre, Centurion, Pretoria
Enquiries:
Mac Maharaj
Cell: 079 879 3203
E-mail: macmaharaj@icloud.com
