Government, Sydney Mufamadi, during the second reading debate on the Local
Government Laws Amendment Bill of 2007, National Assembly
25 October 2007
Madam speaker and honourable members:
Our system of local government, in its current democratised form, has been
in place since the year 2000. We are today proposing to amend aspects of the
core local government legislation, and in some instances, to repeal legislation
which has become anachronistic.
As it has been said by earlier speakers, the Bill concerns itself with the
ongoing attempt to improve the ability of the local government system to
discharge its obligation to the people. It is critical to the functional health
of local government and to the efficacy of the system of government as a
whole.
On behalf of the Ministry and the Department of Provincial and Local
Government, I would like to thank the chairperson and the majority of the
members of the Portfolio Committee for their support and co-operation.
Their helpfulness and enthusiasm was crucial in ensuring that the version
which is finally before the House today, is enriched by historical lessons
drawn from our shared experience of our democratised local government
dispensation.
Even as members of the committee proposed some amendments to the original
draft, we understood that their proposals were based on the clear intent to
help sustain the positive developmental momentum which is abroad in our
country.
Madam speaker, we are actively aware that, to the extent that we want to
make our system of government more effective, what we have taken is a necessary
but not sufficient step. It is for this reason that we once more draw attention
to the two related processes which are currently underway, the formulation of
the White Paper on Provincial Government and the Review of the White Paper on
Local Government.
In this regard, we invite you honourable members of this House, to share
your thoughts and experiences with the rest of our people in order to ensure
that we get a product which will be cherished for all posterity.
I thank you
Sydney Mufamadi
Minister: Provincial and Local Government
Issued by: Ministry of Provincial and Local Government
25 October 2007
