The recently reconfigured Department of Local Government and Human Settlements offers a unique opportunity to share expertise on improving performance management system and strategic leadership, which are necessary for the achievement of development goals assigned to it. The new Department came into being when the then Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs merged with the Department of Human Settlements.
The reconfiguration process is to respond to the visionary call by the fifth administration to streamline the functions of developmental local government and sustainable human settlements. This is according to North West MEC for Local Government and Human Settlements, Collen Maine, at the Budget speech presentation on Wednesday.
MEC Maine said the merger will mean:
- centralised planning;
- seamless and speedy implementation of projects;
- a joint and reconfigured organizational structure;
- enhanced quality control; and
- improved, coordinated and responsive service delivery.
“The logic behind this integration of services, is in response to National Outcomes 8, 9 and 12, which commits government to deliver on sustainable human settlements and improved quality of household life; to be a responsive, accountable, effective and efficient developmental local government system; as well as create an efficient, effective and development-orientated public service with an empowered, fair and inclusive citizenship,” said MEC Maine.
He added that the National Development Plan (NDP) notes, within the 2030 vision of building a capable state to address the twin challenges of poverty and inequality, a state that is capable of playing a transformative and developmental role.
“This requires a well-run and effectively coordinated state institutions staffed by skilled public servants who are committed to the public good and capable of delivering consistently high quality services for all South Africans, while prioritising the nation’s developmental objectives. We are adamant that local government and human settlements are at the cold-face of this vision.
“It thus follows common logic that in our pursuit of change, we cannot continuously do things in the same manner and expect different outcomes every time,” he concluded.
Enquiries:
Ben Bole, Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 4824
Mobile: 0715661399
Fax: 018 391 0328
E-mail: msbole@nwpg.gov.za
