Date: 03/05/2005
Source: Northern Cape Provincial Government
Title: Peters: SALGA Northern Cape Conference


Keynote address by Northern Cape Premier, Dipuo Peters, at the SALGA Northern Cape Conference, Colesberg

Programme Director
Honourable Mayors and councillors
Honourable MEC for Housing and Local Government - Boeboe Van Wyk
Leaders of faith-based organisations
Leaders of business and industry
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen

The South African government has set out a Programme of Action (POA 2005) to ensure that it puts in motion a set framework which would guide government-wide implementation in a systematic manner throughout the different spheres of government.

First aspect of this Programme of Action is ‘capability needs for the developmental state’.

This relates to a range efforts the state is undertaking in order to ensure that all spheres o government are appropriately aligned, capacitated in order to dispense of its developmental role.

This also relates to among others the processes we have undertaken – like the provincial growth and development processes and the alignment of planning and implementation and mobilisation of public service to speedup socio-economic transformation.

Secondly, the macro-organisation of the state – this implies our understanding of the role of the state, as we outlined above - must be to seek integration and alignment throughout the different spheres of government.

It also acknowledges that the ruling party - which won the most votes – through its manifesto must seek to implement that because it is the basis upon which people voted for it.

Thirdly, planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation are key components that should ensure we are able to realise the goals and objectives of a developmental and transformational state.

In this regard the many initiatives such Project Consolidate are meant to ensure we realise these objectives. This forces all of us to seek the alignments required to make the application of state resources meaningful and have the desired impact on the quality of life of our people.

Based on the above mentioned thesis, there are key and crucial considerations which this body organising and directing local authorities in the Northern Cape must indeed engage and be fully involved with its ramifications.

The inter-governmental relations (IGR) framework, which has been developed, is an important aspect of the ensuring that we develop the understanding that should enhance our collective efforts to bring about a better life for all our people, especially at the local levels.

In this province, the framework is indeed murky and demands attention. Though we have structurally set-out the framework, the most important element that should ensure effectiveness – our common understanding and commitment is still lacking.

Ours must be the commitment to ensure that in the midst of these huge constraints, such as financial resources, creative methods are developed which enhances the application of the available resources in such a way that we make the necessary impact on the live of our people.

To what extend for example, have we taken our different constituencies along in understanding the fiscal relations of the state as a whole in order to empower them to take decisions and therefore, priorities informed by these realities?

Indeed, there is still a massive backlog in municipal infrastructure, which should be seen and understood as an investment outlet and opportunity, even for domestic capital.

But, what creative mechanisms and engagements have we developed as a province to ensure these opportunities are indeed optimised with a view of creating opportunities for employment whilst developing our local infrastructure?

Aligned to this is the notion of developing and building development-inclined linkages with all stakeholders.

Whereas, there are for a for business and others to discuss and engage the budgets of our municipalities and its efforts to drive development and growth … to what extend are we taking the ordinary people along in this process in order for them to creatively engage these matters as part of extending participatory democracy through the IDP processes in a thorough-going manner?

Indeed, our growth path must be rooted in the resources we have, therefore greatest possibilities for creating job opportunities through municipal infrastructure development.

Interventions:

- national government has set aside R15b for municipal infrastructure development;

- where is the Northern Cape and provinces’ local governments in this scheme of things in respect of developing the appropriate requirements?

- with the envisioned enhanced role of district municipalities’ alignment of planning, what possibilities does this hold for the province?

- are we using the key and appropriate leverages’ for involvement of capital to invest in this regard, primarily state-led capital without the exclusion of private capital?

- in the year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Charter, are we giving effect to the clarion call – ‘the people shall govern’

This meeting must among others also resolve on the following (if is to meaningful to the lives of our people and enhance the developmental goals set-out in the state of nation address by the president early this year):

- building and deepening peoples’ power through popular mass participation in the affairs of government (we are pioneers in the government-meets the people programme);

- role of ward committees as important platforms for interactions

- local development and the role of IDPs in pursuing the trajectory of local government we are building (developmental local government);

- beyond what we have already done - what is the next level of engagement around IDPs and leverages to involve and pursue the goals of development and growth,

- ensure improved service delivery and sustainable development,

- must the huge backlogs in municipal infrastructure as investment outlet and turn-around for growth, and opportunity to create jobs

- strengthen the role of local government and function to deepen democracy and deliver sustainable services to improve the quality of life of our people

- the issues of capacity at local government-level are key,

- create balance between service delivery, eradication of poverty and payment for services,

- towards effective community participation and ownership of government programmes

- enhance community communication,

- strengthening the municipalities and state’s role through Project Consolidate

- Project Consolidate – is a major government intervention to ensure that local government is strengthened and delivers quality services to communities;

- What is the extend of sourcing from the Northern Cape in respect of Project Consolidate,

- And does this build on the existing initiatives and complements current projects?

From all the theories of development, there is general consensus that what South Africa’s local government requires is a local government authorities that can no longer evade the fact that they are required to become instruments of change and development.

They must strive to raise that overall standard of living for all their inhabitants. (White Paper on Local government: General: 1998)

This means that they should not only concentrate on provision of essential services, but should also devote much of their time and energy to the upliftment of local communities.

It should be clear by now that local authorities should not only remain service providers; they should also become important catalysts in promoting the growth and development of local communities.

They could be assisted by national and provincial governments in fulfilling their roles, but they must not be permitted to shirk their responsibilities due to lack of money.

I thank you.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Northern Cape Provincial Government
3 May 2005