Department forges ahead to implement back to basics programme
The Department of Local Government and Human Settlements in Bokone Bophirima is pulling all stops to ensure that municipalities accelerate the implementation of the second phase of the Back to Basics local government programme.
Since the implementation of the first phase of the back to basics programme in 2014, out of a total of 23 municipalities, three of the municipalities that we categorised as needing high priority in all key performance areas because they were dysfunctional, improved. These municipalities are Kgetlengrivier, Kagisano-Molopo and Matlosana local municipalities.
To date the department has established a provincial steering committee representative of all critical departments and utilities in the province. The provincial steering committee which is coordinated by the Department of Local Government and Human Settlements is responsible for identifying high level intervention for each category of municipalities, mobilize resources for implementation of the support programme and monitor action plans on service delivery protests.
Crack teams have also been established and deployed across all four districts, i.e. Ngaka Modiri Molema, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Bojanala Platinum district municipalities and they are led by municipal managers. The crack teams are further broken down into work streams which deal with specific key intervention per municipality.
The second phase of back to basic programme was first introduced in 2015 and it focuses on building effective system and resilient institutions of local government through: The second phase back to basics phase focuses on:
- Positive community experiences
- Prioritise municipalities receiving disclaimers over 5 years
- Support revenue enhancement programmes
- Appointment of senior managers with appropriate and requisite skills in municipalities
- Quality service and maintenance of infrastructure
- Implementation of forensic reports
- Metropolitan back to basic programme
- Strengthening roles of district municipalities
- Spatial regional integration zone/spatial contracts
- Strengthening capacity and role of provincial Cogta departments
Enquiries
Ben Bole (Departmental Spokesperson)
Cell: 071 566 1399
Email: msbole@nwpg.gov.za
Facebook: North West Department of Local Government and Human Settlements
Instagram: nwlghs
Twitter: @nwlghs
