According to President Cyril Ramaphosa, local government must be fully operational and accountable to the people it serves as one of the most significant guarantors of the socioeconomic rights of the populace.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious, and Linguistic Communities (CRL) jointly convened a symposium on local governance on Thursday.
“One of our Bill of Rights’ most revolutionary features is that it protects socio-economic rights in addition to political and cultural liberties.
It exhorts the state to realise rights such as those to healthcare, education, food, and water, as well as to housing and social security, gradually.
“One of the most significant guardians of the socioeconomic rights of the people of South Africa is the local government.
The difference between living in filth, misery, and deprivation and enjoying a life of dignity as guaranteed by our Constitution might be made by effective and economical service delivery, the speaker stated.
The President observed that effective municipal governance affects citizens’ quality of life.
“People’s quality of life is enhanced, companies prosper, economies expand, and our people’s dignity is guaranteed when local government works, when essential services like water, sanitation, education, electricity, and healthcare are distributed and delivered effectively and fairly,” he stated.
According to him, “when local government service fails, the effect is direct and catastrophic and it instantly has an overall influence on our people’s lives where they reside.”
The assessments from the National Treasury, Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and Auditor General indicate that the majority of municipalities are “failing,” which the President called as “very troubling.”
Only 41 towns received clean audits, and over two-thirds of them are in financial trouble.
This implies that many of our communities are unable to provide basic services, renovate clinics and hospitals, or repair roads.
Political rivalry and infighting, a lack of abilities, a disregard for statutory requirements, inadequate governance, a lack of responsibility, as well as…
Super corruption is producing unrest in our towns and undermining the capacity to provide basic services to South Africans.
“This is an emergency. This situation is massive in scope. It is neither feasible or sustainable to continue on the present course.
It undercuts the promise of human dignity made by the Constitution, endangers economic development and investment, and weakens the rule of law established by the Constitution.
“In our nation, local governance need a thorough study. Additionally, he said, “We must make sure that those who have been sent there renew their commitment to the principles of our Constitution and that those who engage in fraud and corruption are driven from office.
The District Development Model, which is presently being implemented in municipalities around the nation, will, the President said, help us make the necessary headway toward resolving these difficulties.
“We may make headway in solving some of the underlying issues in local government via the District Development Model, which we presented in 2019 and which aims to integrate and coordinate planning, economic development, and service supply at the local government level.
This concept focuses on focused development that considers the requirements of local communities and guarantees ongoing involvement and public participation.
“Despite the substantial obstacles that local government faces, the Department of Cooperative Governance’s execution of tailored municipal assistance and reform programmes is showing some promising results.
According to President Ramaphosa, these programmes put the needs of the people first while also furthering good governance and prudent financial management.