CEO’S FOREWORD
It’s official, the 2021 Local Government Elections will be held on Wednesday, 27 October 2021. Xolile George, SALGA CEO, explains the measures the association is putting in place to ensure municipalities are prepared
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onths before President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the date of the fifth local government elections, we were planning how to prepare our members. Since the election always has to be held within a certain time frame, according to the Constitution, we are pleased to have an end date and target set in stone. Naturally, these elections will be particularly challenging, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In March this year, the SALGA National Executive Committee approved a framework for the transition to guide municipalities on dealing with the change. More recently, the National Members Assembly (NMA) convened for a two-day meeting to discuss the progress and deal with the challenges. Based on the framework and the recommendations of the National Members Assembly (NMA), we have identified a three-phase approach, which – followed correctly and dependent on us all working together for a common purpose – should enable the elections and their attendant challenges to be resolved relatively painlessly.
UPFRONT
THE BATTLE OF THE BALLOTS IS ON SALGA CEO Xolile George
BROADER FOCUS OF THE FRAMEWORK The framework will also focus on the broader transition, where SALGA will assist in developing a social plan for councillors, defining the roles of municipal managers, focusing on the recruitment of senior managers, developing the relationship between district and local municipalities, undertaking a register of assets, and providing guidance around pensions and clarity regarding remuneration and benefits for incoming councillors. Other issues the framework will address include ensuring support for nonreturning councillors and the adoption of the programme of action for the development of the SALGA five-year strategy for the 2022 to 2027 term. Local government is centred around restoring the dignity of people, something that demands ethical people in positions of authority. Understanding this, we have made it clear that consequence management must be implemented, and those found to have acted “wrongly” or be corrupt must be dealt with in a manner that sends a clear message.
SALGA’S THREE-PHASE APPROACH
LET’S STAND TOGETHER AND REMAIN FOCUSED
In the first phase (before elections), we will assist our members in getting the elements of the build-up in place, including among others, voter registration, the identification and set-up of polling stations and the nomination of candidates. Working together with the municipalities we will ensure that they are as prepared as possible, despite the challenges created by the virus. One of the key issues we are addressing is the provision of adequate sanitisers, the correct spacing in voting queues and strict enforcement of relevant social distancing measures. During the elections (phase 2), we will focus on what is expected of municipalities in dealing with complex issues such as implementing COVID-19 safety protocols at the polling stations and managing the declaration of results. The crucial final phase – post-elections – is handling the transition from the previous regime to the newly elected municipal councils. This involves developing and rolling out guidelines as governance support, underlining the roles and responsibilities of structures and political office bearers, planning the inaugural meeting of the newly elected council and assisting with protocols related to the administration and funding of municipal activities during the transition.
While the importance of properly managing the transition from the fourth to the fifth term of local government is secondary to ensuring that the elections are held safely, both are given massive weight by SALGA. As the country’s citizens head for the ballot boxes we are aware of the amount of work you, our members have to do to ensure the safest possible elections. And, we ask you all to remember that effort, care and dedication are just one side of the coin; a strong focus on understanding and answering the communities’ needs and ensuring effective service delivery is the other. Therefore, in the spirit of Thuma Mina, let me ask each and every one of you to remain focused and dedicated to your tasks so that we can ensure a safe and successful elections, and an easy and uncomplicated transition of local governments thereafter. ▪
ISSUE 35
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We have identified a three-phase approach, which – followed correctly and dependent on us all working together for a common purpose – should enable the elections and their attendant challenges to be resolved relatively painlessly.
VOICE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
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2021/06/30 5:16 PM
