12 | THE STATE OF SOUTH AFRICAN CITIES
(L-R) PHUMLANI MAJOZI, SITHOLE MBANGA, EMILIA SAIZ CARRANCEDO (ON SCREEN)
THE STATE OF SOUTH AFRICAN CITIES
A global perspective and debate on the role and significance of local governments in bettering their citizenry’s experience.
T
he consensus among the panellists was that local governments need to regain the trust of the communities they aim to serve and follow through on national plans by communicating how those plans will be translated on a local level.
productive working relationships. Not just at the highest level, but at administrative and technical levels too. This is just one step towards effective governance. The entire design of the communication between local and national needs to change, and should be based on accountability and respect.”
Emilia Saiz, Secretary General: United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), believes that we need to devise a new concept of citizenship and consider human mobility and migration. “Inter-urban systems should be based on solidarity,” said Saiz. “Informality is a major part of our economy and our systems need to be structured that way.”
The panellists also touched on Africa’s diverse natural environments. “What makes Africa unique is its relationship with the planet, the environment, and its ecological systems. Africa’s nature is inexorably linked to its many cultures.”
It was generally agreed by the panellists that cities don’t have new problems and that the Covid-19 pandemic has simply compounded existing problems. All cities need to rethink how societies can be reorganised to meet the needs of the people and work towards aligning policies at a local and national level. “ Local and regional governments can be a powerful tool that answers to the expectations of citizens. Three axes of transformation that need to be considered by cities are in relation with the planet, a rethink on how we relate to each other and regain trust of citizens,” concluded Saiz. Sithole Mbanga, UCLG Africa Deputy Secretary General and CEO of SA Cities Network, agreed with Saiz’s points, elaborating on the national/local divide. “There are 54 countries in Africa, but in addition there are 17 000 local municipalities, therefore it is essential that there are healthy,
THE ESPOO STORY Espoo, a city in Finland, is a sterling example of a smart city that is in tune with the needs of its citizens – the city itself is managed for the best interests of all of its residents. The Espoo Story portrays the history, presence and future of Espoo. It also identifies the city’s values and greatest challenges. These are addressed in all city activities, but in particular, by cross-administrational development programmes that are implemented in collaboration. South Africa, too, is working towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and could benefit from focusing its attention on the most applicable to the nation. In Espoo, the core goals are Quality Education, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and Climate Action.
