The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) welcomes the outcomes of the first ever Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) conference on Demarcation and Spatial Transformation that took place from 23 – 24 June 2016. The conference was convened under the theme, “Reviewing the Past and Mapping the Future”.
The demarcation board was officially established in 1999 as an independent authority responsible for the determination of municipal boundaries. The board has since then assisted to build wall to wall municipalities across the country.
Judging from the discussion at the conference, the establishment of the MDB was indeed a giant step towards deepening South Africa’s democracy. This important institution contributed to building a new system of local government that brought about stability within the sector which is the key site of delivery and development and is central to the entire transformative project of South Africa.
Over the past years, the MDB has not been able to effectively engage its stakeholders across the national spectrum on issues of demarcation and spatial development, especially to take stock of both the positives and the negatives emanating from the processes and decisions of the board.
For the first time since its inception, the MDB brought together national and international stakeholders in the local government sector, experts covering various sectors and fields. This sectors included among others: government, Parliament, Senior Government officials, Institutions Supporting Democracy, Research Institutions, International Participants and Scholars, all local and metropolitan municipalities etc.
Both Minister Des van Rooyen and Deputy Minister Andries Nel from CoGTA made important contributions to the discussions at the conference which will go a long way in providing solution to the current challenges of dermacation like those in Vuwani. The openness and robustness of the discussions, were definitely able to shape the discussions around issues of demarcation in the country.
Minister van Rooyen also welcomed the opportunity to interact with delegates at the conference and to take part in the battle of ideas and thus contributing to the body of knowledge in this sector. As CoGTA, we are proud to have been part of delegates and an array of experts whose attendance and contribution to this conference will go a long way in shaping our cities into the future.
“As CoGTA we believe that the conference was long overdue and we are delighted that it was able to provide a key platform that ensured facilitated engagements among all the stakeholders who attended. This engagements also considered how to resolve hurdles to demarcations and has made the much needed inputs to spatial transformation discourse in South Africa”, said Minister van Rooyen.
The conference was also able to refocus attention on key issues related to demarcation and also examined challenges facing the metropolitan system of governance and the necessity of delimiting wards every five years, as is required by legislation. The role of ensuring sustainable cities also came under spotlight as an integral part of the demarcation process.
The discussions at the conference were evidence of the importance of the issues of demarcation and spatial development. This conference had an important significance, as this event was preceded by the launch of the State of the Cities Report that took place on 22 June 2016. Report focuses on cities as effective drivers of local and national development and the need for all actors to work together.
The State of the Cities Report shows progress and tracked the trajectory of development over the last 15 years of the democratic local government. Importantly, the report tells of our efforts to deconstruct the Apartheid Cities and create a new future and better life for all South Africans.
In addition to the relationship with the 2016 cities report, there were also parallels and links between the demarcation conference and the recently cabinet approved Integrated Urban Development Framework (IUDF) which sets out to unravel the apartheid spatial legacy that still blots our urban landscape and create cities that are inclusive, resilient and liveable. This is also the same issues that the MDB aims to achieve through the demarcation process.
Even though there is commendable progress, the conference delegates also recognised the challenges inherent in the complex demarcation issues. This issues highlighted the fact that demarcation is a societal responsibility and it cannot not only be left to the demarcation board.
The conference also noted that as democracy matures, the legislation remained the same since 1999 and the environment has been changing and this puts pressure on the board and the rest of the country to deal with new challenges emanating from the MDB processes. The conference therefore agreed to look at look at the possible changes in legislation so as to be able to address some of the current challenges.
The conference also lamented the need for increased public participation as part of a successful demarcation process. The conference agreed that extensive proper public participation is at the heart of the re-demarcation process and spatial transformation
Indeed this conference was able to meet its objectives and provided an opportunity for all stakeholders to engage and will go a long way in providing direction, consensus and uniformity in our approach to demarcation. The conference was also able to reflect, take stock of the lessons learnt and challenges encountered during the past demarcation processes and also agreed on future plans in order to ensure cutting edge demarcation process.
Judging from the robust discussions and the crosspollination of ideas, the conference was definitely able to meet its expected outcomes and left an indelible mark that will continue to shape the development and implementation of demarcation and spatial development policies.
- A shared understanding on the lessons and challenges pertaining to the work of the MDB.
- Recommendations on possible legislative amendments of the MDA and MSA.
- Recommendations on the alignment of the work of the MDB and that of other institutions affected by the outcomes of the demarcation process.
- Recommendations on the design, capacity and mandate of the MDB.
- Alignment of the demarcation processes and decisions with other measures to build viable and sustainable municipalities.
- Recommendations on ways in which the MDB can contribute to enhancing and strengthening stability and viability of the local government system through its work.
In addition, the conference focused on the following themes and sub-themes which were extensively discussed:
- Theme 1: Reconfiguring the state and legislative amendments
- Sub-theme. Beyond Municipal Boundary Demarcation
- Sub-theme. Cities as hubs for economic development
- Sub-theme. Demarcation for democracy
- Theme 2: Towards a comprehensive municipal capacity assessment process
- Theme 3: Financial, Functionality, viability and sustainability of municipalities
- Theme 4: Public participation and stakeholder consultation in demarcation process
As CoGTA we hope that the outcomes of this conference will assist to move us forward and further strengthen our democracy through the work of the MDB. This conference was definitely able to go a long way in addressing the challenges we face as a country and looking forward to the future.
Enquiries:
Legadima Leso
Cell: 083 378 9495
