National Cabinet top brass gear up for SALGA council of mayors on 8 & 9 September 2020, East London International Convention Centre

The President of the Republic, His Excellency, Cyril Ramaphosa together with the National Executive Members of the Cabinet are gearing up for the SALGA Council of Mayors (SCoM) which is expected to deliberate on key local government matters to enhance good governance on 8 and 9 September 2022 at the East London International Convention Centre, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.

President Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address in the opening session of the conference under the theme “The role of Mayors to enhance good governance and sustainability”. Key to the deliberations, which will unfold in various panel discussions is; the assessment of the transitional progress post the 2021 local government elections which will be led by Minister of CoGTA, Honourable Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma. Local government finances: financial management and municipal financial recovery will be led by Minister of Finance, Honourable Enoch Godongwana, and the Auditor-General SA Tsakani Maluleke.

Panel discussion to unpack opportunities for developing human settlements; safe and secure communities will be led by Minister of Police, Honourble Bheki Cele. Roads maintenance, rural roads programme, the classification and proclamation of roads and related funding to be led by Minister of Transport, Honourable Fikile Mbalula, as well as the status of water, sanitation, and waste management will be led by Minister of Water and Sanitation, Honourable Senzo Mchunu.

The energy transition and its impact on local government panel discussion will be led by Minister of Human Settlement, Honourable Mmamoloko Kubhayi. Minister of Communication and Digital Technology, Honourable Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, will unpack digital migration: opportunities to collaborate will local government on the rollout of set-top boxes.

Other matters to be under the spotlight include legislation and regulations inhibiting the delivery of services, municipal boundary redeterminations and implications of municipal boundary changes, and exploring the role of Mayors in local government finances, among others.

The SCoM is an annual gathering of Mayors and Executive Mayors to focus on addressing challenges experienced in local government. It also serves as a platform for peer learning and sharing best practices in governance.

A media briefing is scheduled as follows:

Venue: East London ICC

Date: 8 September 2022

Time: 11h00 – 11h30

Members of the Media are requested to register on the following link for media accreditation https://forms.office.com/r/AFdR6r7Cmn(link is external) or visit the SALGA.org.za to register by no later than 07 September 2022, 17h00. No members of the media will access the venue without valid media accreditation.

Media accreditation for members of the Media who are registered can be collected on Wednesday, 07 September 2022, 17h00 -20h00 at the East London International Convention Centre.

The SCoM also serves as a platform to:

Act as a consultative forum for the development of local government positions on policies and legislation impacting local government;

Identify policy and legislative matters that SALGA needs to include in its advocacy, lobbying, and strategic engagements in a proactive manner;

Identify challenges faced by the executive in municipalities and propose solutions and approaches to address prevailing challenges facing local government and

Share good practices regarding the role of the executive in the municipality.

Source: Government of South Africa