February 6, 2006
By Ndaba Dlamini
MUNICIPALITIES will continue working with provincial and national government through various co-operative development projects to improve service delivery after the 1 March local government elections.
This was said by President Thabo Mbeki in his State of the Nation speech on Friday, 3 February. He said co-operative governance was particularly important to every district and metro municipality.
"In particular, this will mean that each of these municipalities has a realistic Integrated Development Plan, a credible Local Economic Development Programme, and the material and human resources, as well as the management and operational systems, to implement these IDPs and LEDs."
Every municipality is required to produce an Integrated Development Plan, in which the city's future is mapped over the short, medium and long term. Issues that are considered include spatial planning, disaster management, finances, performance targets and economic development.
Municipalities are also encouraged to implement Local Economic Development Programmes that will lead to job creation and promote local economic development by exposing urban renewal, integrated rural development and poverty relief programmes.
"Integration of planning and implementation across the government spheres is therefore one of the prime areas of focus in our programme for the next term of local government," Mbeki said.
He said lessons should be drawn from Project Consolidate, a national government initiative in which local government is given support to ensure it performs its duties effectively.
"As many of us aware by now, Project Consolidate has identified serious capacity constraints in many of our municipalities arising from a shortage of properly qualified managers, professional and technical personnel. We have taken the necessary decisions to attend to this urgent matter."
As a measure to improve the ability of local government to meet the needs of the people, Mbeki said 3 000 community development workers will be deployed by March.
Turning to the 2010 Soccer World Cup, the president said the tournament would make an important contribution to efforts to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the goal of a better life for all. He said all efforts should be made to ensure everything is ready by 2010 for a successful Soccer World Cup.
"This will encompass the stadia, broadcast facilities, including high-definition television, the necessary transport and hospitality infrastructure, safety and security, popular support for the World Cup, and selfless dedication by the local organisers of the tournament."
The City of Johannesburg, expected to host major matches during the 2010 Soccer World Cup, has already risen to the challenge and has put plans in place. Every City department has been assigned a role and responsibilities to ensure the success of the event.
The City recently appointed a mayoral sub-committee to oversee the World Cup projects.
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