Service delivery and accountability will be brought to the forefront within the Newcastle Municipality and across KwaZulu-Natal. This comes as Newcastle’s Mayor, Councillor Xolani Dube, officially unfolds his plans as the newly elected Chairperson for the South African Local Government Association (SALGA).
As Newcastillians will remember, Councillor Dube was elected as the SALGA KZN chairperson in June 2024, an achievement which promises to herald a new dawn for Newcastle and its neighbouring municipalities in KZN.
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For those unaware, SALGA KZN is the provincial branch of the South African Local Government Association, representing the interests of local governments within KwaZulu-Natal. The organisation serves as the collective voice for the province’s 61 municipalities, championing their causes and advocating on their behalf. Its foundation is firmly rooted in Section 163 of the RSA Constitution and the Organised Local Government Act of 1997.
Moreover, SALGA’s core functions include:
Advocacy and Representation: SALGA advocates for the interests of municipalities at the national and provincial levels, ensuring that the needs of local governments are considered in national policy-making processes.
Capacity Building: The organisation provides training and capacity-building programs to municipal officials and councillors. These programs are designed to enhance their skills and knowledge in governance, financial management, and service delivery to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of local governments.
Support and Advice: SALGA offers a range of support and advisory services to municipalities to help them manage their affairs, including legal advice, human resources, and financial management.
Promotion of Best Practices: It promotes best practices in local governance by facilitating knowledge sharing and innovation among municipalities. This includes organising conferences, workshops, and forums where municipal leaders can exchange ideas and strategies for improving service delivery.
Monitoring and Evaluation: SALGA monitors the performance of municipalities and evaluates their effectiveness in service delivery. It also assists in implementing performance management systems to ensure that municipalities meet their objectives and deliver quality services to the community.
During his first address as the newly elected KZN SALGA Chairperson, Councillor Dube assured that the newly elected leadership for the organisation is set to change the current narrative and is committed to transforming negative perceptions by delivering tangible, positive changes.
He stated, “SALGA will focus on improving and inspiring service delivery. Every community member deserves reliable access to clean water, proper sanitation, and electricity. We will prioritise the development and maintenance of essential infrastructure to ensure these basic needs are met efficiently and sustainably.”
Furthermore, Dube highlighted that transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of good governance and citizens have the right to know how their taxes are being spent and to see their contributions reflected in their communities. Therefore, he emphasised that his leadership would implement stringent measures to ensure all municipal processes are transparent and accountable, fostering an environment of trust and integrity.
As the Newcastle Municipality’s Mayor pushes for improved service delivery while promoting transparency and accountability within Newcastle Municipality and neighbouring KZN Municipalities, what are your thoughts on this?
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