An Inspiring Local Government: Mpumalanga convenes a successful Provincial Members Assembly

Posted: 18 November 2024

Mpumalanga convened its annual Provincial Members Assembly in Mbombela, on the 13th and 14th of November 2024. Delegates and stakeholders in different leadership positions within local government attended the assembly. The PMA brought together representatives from all municipalities in Mpumalanga, providing an essential forum to drive the strategic agenda of local government in alignment with the directives of the Provincial Conference.

The express aim and objectives of the Provincial Members' Assembly respectively were to :

• Act in accordance with the directions of the Provincial Conference;
• Adopt the provincial member's programme of action, business plan and budget in respect of the ensuing year;
• Consider reports from the provincial working groups and oversight bodies; and
• Deal with any other issues emanating from the provisions applicable to provincial members in SALGA's Constitution.

Opening Session

The Executive Mayor of the City of Mbombela Local Municipality, Cllr. Sibongile Makushe-Mazibuko, gracefully welcomed SALGA and the Assembly delegates, highlighting that "We are surrounded by greatness and we are leaders that are determined and dedicated to Local Government".

In his Welcome and Opening Address the SALGA Chairperson Cllr. Walter Mngomezulu provided a background and gave rationale for the Provincial Members' Assembly detailing emerging issues confronting/affecting Local Government at large. "Let us use this assembly as an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about the future of local government in Mpumalanga. The expectations from our communities are high, and rightly so. Citizens seek not only basic services but also a government that listens, engages, and acts in their best interests", said the Chairperson.

In her message of support, Hon. Ms. Lindi Masina, Speaker of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature said that "It is a great honour for me to be standing before you, the provincial leadership of the South African Local Government Association, a meeting where you will be putting into action the resolutions of the provincial conference and plan on how you can best deliver on your mandate to the people who have elected you as both individuals and collectives."

The Hon. Speaker continued to indicate that "Our people need and deserve services, and they pin their hopes on us. It therefore demands that we strengthen oversight work and consultation with our people for well informed IDPs. It is very important that people are always consulted so that they take ownership of both the successes and challenges that might be encountered during the process of service delivery."

Further to what the Hon. Speaker spoke about, a Memorandum of Corporation was officially signed between SALGA and the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature, following the engagement that was held on the 1st of November 2024. The Memorandum of Co-operation (MoC) between the two organisations is a strategic agreement aimed at enhancing collaboration and improving governance within local government structures in the province. This partnership is crucial for addressing the challenges faced by municipalities and ensuring effective service delivery to communities.

A Keynote Address was delivered by the Hon. MEC of COGHSTA Mr. Speedy Mashilo, who highlighted "The Role of Executive Mayors, Mayors and Speakers to enhance good governance and sustainability".

Mpumalanga standard Transfer Specification (STS) and Token Identifier (TID) Rollover Status Quo / Just Energy Transition (JET)
Dr Silas Mulaudzi, SALGA Specialist: Sustainable Energy presented on the Mpumalanga standard Transfer Specification (STS) and Token Identifier (TID) Rollover Status Quo indicating the status as at 13 November 2024 of the STS TID meter rollover in Mpumalanga:

Mpumalanga Dashboard 13 November 2024
Number of prepayment meters 268, 567
Meters reset 231, 654
% of meter reset 86%
Outstanding meters 36, 913
% outstanding meters 14%

Other discussions that were held were centred on:

• The plans and progress in establishing Moral Regeneration Movement structures in municipalities,
• Innovations and Infrastructure Protection against Vandalism panel discussion by panelists Mr. William Moraka (Head: Innovation at SALGA), Mr Buri Rachoene (Gert Sibande District Municipality), and Prof. Innocent Musonda (Professor & Director for the Applied Research and Innovation in the Build Environment at the University of Johannesburg),
• Just Energy Transition
• Local Just Transitions Network: National Dialogue with panelists Mr. Rabelani Tshikalanke (SALGA Specialist: Environment, Climate Change and Sustainability), Mr. Tapiwa Harding (GIZ: National Level JET initiatives), Mr. Joanne Harding (Social Change Assistance Trust), Mr. Life Mahlaule (Emalahleni Local Municipality),
• Local Government Research Mapping for the Mpumalanga Research and Innovation Institute (MRII) with panelists Ms. Ignatia Nonhle Mashinini-Nkosi (Deputy Director-General: Office of the Premier), Dr Matoane-Nkabinde (Director: Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs), Dr Brian Chicksen (University of Pretoria), Prof Wayne Twine (University of the Witwatersrand), and Prof. D. Nenene Qekwana (Head of Department: Paraclinical Sciences at the University of Pretoria),
• Exercising local procurement to stimulate the local economy,
• Active citizenry to accelerate service delivery in the local government sector with panelists Mr. Michael Chauke (SALGA Specialist: Governance), Ms. Kate Tissington (Senior Researcher at COMPACT), Cllr Poppy Msiza (Speaker of Council at Thembisile Hani Local Municipality), Ms. Louisa Disebo Jokia (Programme Officer at Alliance for Rural Democracy Civil Society).

Recognising Municipal Excellence
Mpumalanga hosted the Municipal Recognition Awards in Mbombela, recognizing and appreciating various municipalities for the work that they do. "As we gather here, let us take a moment to reflect on the crucial role that local government plays in the lives of our citizens. It is at this level that policies are implemented, services are delivered, and community needs are met. The municipalities we honor tonight embody the spirit of public service—working tirelessly to ensure that our municipalities operate effectively and efficiently" said SALGA PEC member Cllr Mapulane Nkosi as she gave the purpose of the Awards.

1. Nkangala District Municipality received an award for Best performing District Municipality on the implementation of Spatial Planning and Land Use Management (SPLUM)
2. Ehlanzeni District Municipality received awards for
   
   - Municipal Health Services (MHS): The most working Hard District Municipality with limited human resources
   - Best performing municipality in the implementation of Community Safety and security programmes
   - Inter-governmental Relations
3. Gert Sibande District Municipality received awards for
   • Best performing District Municipality on the implementation of Solid Waste Management
   • Solid Waste Management Initiatives to ensure a safer and cleaner environment for all
   • Best performing Municipality on the protection of Infrastructure and the use of Technology to find innovative solutions for service delivery challenges
4. Govan Mbeki Local Municipality received an award for
   • Excellence Performance for 2023 Blue Drop Score (Excellence Performance for 2023 Blue Drop Score at 90.8%)
   • SALGA Women Commission (SWC): The municipality was the first municipality in the province to adopt the Multiparty Women Commission as a Section 79 committee of council.

5. Victor Khanye Local Municipality received an award for Excellence Performance for 2023 Blue Drop Score (Most Improved 2023 Blue Drop score from 63,5% in 2014 to 90,1% in 2023)
6. Steve Tshwete Local Municipality received an award for

• Excellence Performance for 2023 Blue Drop Score (Excellence Performance for 2023 Green Drop Score at 88%)
• Gender-Based Violence and Femicide: memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed World of Impact, participated and completed the 100 – days with UNWOMEN.

1. Nkomazi Local Municipality received an award for Excellence Performance for 2023 Blue Drop Score (Most Improved 2023 Green Drop score from 32% in 2014 to 75% in 2023 and Excellence Performance for 2023 No Drop)
2. Emalahleni Local Municipality received an award for Successful implementation of the Token Identifier (TID) Rollover a year before the deadline
3. Thembisile Hani Local Municipality received an award for Best performing Municipal Public Account Committee (MPAC)
4. Victor Khanye, Dipaleseng Local Municipality and Thaba Chweu Local Municipalities received awards for implementing the multi-sectoral support provided by the various clusters of SALGA which led to these municipalities maintaining their audit outcomes.

As local government, we will continue to support one another and work collaboratively towards achieving our common goals.

SALGA Cares
The SALGA Cares Programme is a SALGA initiative that was implemented in 2024, seeking to coordinate donations from Salgans (with the support of municipalities and stakeholders) to support needy communities, particularly the girl-child and boy-child with basic necessities such as sanitary pads, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and earbuds. Entabamhlophe Combined School in Elandshoek, Mbombela, was the first school that received these donations. Kriestie Nkoana in Grade 5 and Bayanda Msimango in Grade 4 were there to receive the donations. Together we can make a positive impact in the lives of those in need.

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