We, the delegates gathered here at the Gallagher Convention Centre from our different areas and organisations.
Acknowledging importance of leadership, accountability and reconnecting with communities as key ingredients to the implementation of the back to basics in order to respond and meet the needs as well as the aspirations of local communities while accelerating service delivery.
Recognising the achievements made by government over the past 20 years of democracy in providing basic services to the millions of the people of South Africa. The need for a coordinated and coherent approach to address the current challenges through harmonisation of relations between the three spheres of government, traditional leadership, business, organised labour and civil society.
Inspired by the leadership and guidance provided by the President of the Republic of South Africa, recommit ourselves to advance the objects of developmental local government.
We commit to:
- Implement the Back to Basics programme.
- Create conditions for decent living by consistently delivering municipal services to the right quality and standard. This includes planning and delivery of infrastructure and amenities, maintenance and upkeep thereof.
- Ensure good governance and effective administration - cut wastage, spend public funds prudently, hire competent staff, ensure transparency and accountability. Further ensure that corruption is prevented and rooted out at all levels.
- Ensure sound financial management and accounting by prudently managing resources so as to sustainably deliver services and bring development to communities.
- Build and maintain sound institutional and administrative capabilities managed by dedicated and skilled personnel at all levels.
- Put people and their concerns first and ensure constant contact with communities through effective public participation platforms.
- Ensure quarterly performance monitoring and reporting on the work of municipalities as directed by the Back to Basics approach.
- Improve the political management of municipalities and be responsive to the needs and aspirations of local communities.
We, the delegates at this Presidential Local Government Summit convened by the Honourable President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, constituted of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces; Ministers; Deputy Ministers; Chairperson of Parliamentary Committees; Premiers; Members of the Executive Councils for local government; Mayors; Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leadership; SALGA; Municipal Councils; Traditional Councils; Municipal Managers; Civil Society; Business Sector; Organised Labour; Professional Bodies and the donor community gathered here at the Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Johannesburg declare to do our best to make local government work and serve our people better.
We commit to be the servants of the people and trustworthy agents at their service.
We embrace the back to basics approach in addressing the challenges facing Local Government and declare to strengthen local government in order to move our country forward.
