Closing remarks by the Minister of Provincial and Local Government, Sydney Mufamadi, during the second reading debate on the Local Government Laws Amendment Bill of 2007, National Assembly

Madam speaker and honourable members:

Our system of local government, in its current democratised form, has been in place since the year 2000. We are today proposing to amend aspects of the core local government legislation, and in some instances, to repeal legislation which has become anachronistic.

As it has been said by earlier speakers, the Bill concerns itself with the ongoing attempt to improve the ability of the local government system to discharge its obligation to the people. It is critical to the functional health of local government and to the efficacy of the system of government as a whole.

On behalf of the Ministry and the Department of Provincial and Local Government, I would like to thank the chairperson and the majority of the members of the Portfolio Committee for their support and co-operation.

Their helpfulness and enthusiasm was crucial in ensuring that the version which is finally before the House today, is enriched by historical lessons drawn from our shared experience of our democratised local government dispensation.

Even as members of the committee proposed some amendments to the original draft, we understood that their proposals were based on the clear intent to help sustain the positive developmental momentum which is abroad in our country.

Madam speaker, we are actively aware that, to the extent that we want to make our system of government more effective, what we have taken is a necessary but not sufficient step. It is for this reason that we once more draw attention to the two related processes which are currently underway, the formulation of the White Paper on Provincial Government and the Review of the White Paper on Local Government.

In this regard, we invite you honourable members of this House, to share your thoughts and experiences with the rest of our people in order to ensure that we get a product which will be cherished for all posterity.

I thank you

Sydney Mufamadi
Minister: Provincial and Local Government

Issued by: Ministry of Provincial and Local Government
25 October 2007