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IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Exploring the five critical issues in KwaZulu-Natal local government
The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) in KwaZulu-Natal identified five problems facing municipalities in the province. Image: Screengrab Political leadership is getting weaker, and at the next local government elections, there might be a huge turnover with many new councillors who will be part and parcel of governing municipalities without the requisite experience. This was the view of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) in KwaZulu-Natal, which went on to identify the core problem that local government is inadequately equipped to fulfil its development agenda. SALGA made the remarks during the launch of the KZN Speaker's Forum and signing of a memorandum of understanding at the KZN Legislature on Friday. The forum is aimed at strengthening cooperation and coordination between the two institutions. This partnership is expected to enhance support to municipalities and strengthen legislative oversight programmes across the province. SALGA identified five problems in local government, which are: Poor political leadership capacity and weak administrative management. Inefficient and non-integrated local government delivery mechanisms, systems, and processes to enable service delivery. Ineffective utilisation of financial resources (poor financial administration), inability to collect revenue, and insufficient fiscus allocation Degenerating infrastructure and non-existent or poor services provided to local communities. Poor relationship with citizens leading to loss of confidence in local government. The KZN Speaker's Forum aims to empower speakers through the sharing of reports, develop strategic partnerships, and improve oversight programmes. Furthermore, this strategic collaboration will provide a structured platform for addressing service delivery challenges and promoting intergovernmental participation, particularly within Integrated Development Plan (IDP) processes. Nontembeko Boyce, speaker of the KZN Legislature, said no speaker should feel isolated, nor should the council have to navigate complex challenges alone. She stated that through this forum, they should support and learn from one another and stand together as leaders for the greater good of the province. 'Our communities do not care where a service comes from, they expect service delivery. They do not care who fixes the road, who installs the tap, or who makes sure the clinic is working, they just want it done. And they want us, as their leaders, to pull in the same direction. With all those expectations, the local government, as a sphere in which service delivery is the first point of call for our communities,' Boyce said. The forum's objectives are: To exchange knowledge, skills, and views on strategies to strengthen good governance and deepen democracy. Build a stronger link between councils and the provincial legislature. Share what works, and help each other through. Speak with one voice on issues that affect our communities. Sithole Mbanga, SALGA CEO, spoke about harnessing the power of political leadership to restore public trust and drive service delivery. Mbanga said the challenges they face are maintaining public trust from society and ensuring effective service delivery demands urgent attention. 'The government is under pressure to deliver, which is an important issue. We are not here to pay lip service, we want to form a relationship between the provincial and national governments. If you look at the surveys that one conducts and the perception that society has against local government, it is negative.' Mbanga expected new councillors to be part of governing municipalities after next year's elections. 'Without the requisite experience, it will be a problem for us. We will have to upskill those people who are going to become part and parcel of the leadership,' he said. SALGA's mandate is to transform local government to enable it to fulfil its development. Mbanga said SALGA is focused on four things: leadership, differentiation, data optimisation, and management and coordination. 'A mayor cannot run a municipality if there is no collaboration with others. Our mayors are saying help us to build that layer of leaders from the other spheres of government and other spheres of business and society," Mbanga said. [email protected]
The South African
20-05-2025
- General
- The South African
New website to FIX potholes in South Africa privately
Yes, there is now a website to fix potholes in South Africa. In fact, not just potholes but any other infrastructural issue born out of poor service delivery. This website is the brainchild of local resident and philanthropist, Dr. Garth Japhet. Specifically, he founded the website – FixLocal – as a way for residents to find out how to effectively report issues in their region. Whether it be a pothole or non-functioning set of traffic lights, he wants to do his part to end poor service delivery across South Africa. Author, philanthropist and entrepreneur, South Africa is a better place with Dr. Garth Japhet of FixLocal in it. Image: File If you haven't already, we encourage you to visit FixLocal. Sometimes even just reporting an issue to the correct department is difficult. Therefore, the FixLocal team calls government numbers and visits offices regularly to ensure they have up-to-date contact details. Government's outdated websites are notoriously dysfunctional and poorly maintained. And Japhet believes that is why residents' first reports often go unheeded. Therefore, the website to fix potholes in South Africa shows you exactly how to escalate your matter effectively. The website is not just to fix potholes, but any other lacking infrastructural issue. Image: File Based on where your location, the website will direct you to a local councilor who actually represents your area. If, however, you want to take it a step further, FixLocal offers resources on how to set up community groups and policing forums. Then, as a final resort, the website also gives tips on how to fix something yourself, if local government is a non-starter. Dr. Japhet insists, 'We are not adversarial, we're simply apolitical. This is about trying to get our communities and our country to work together.' Other issues you may want to report can include waste management, electricity outages, water leaks and overgrown grass. The 18 municipalities covered by FixLocal include all major centres like Cape Town, Ekurhuleni, eThekwini, Gqeberha, Johannesburg, Polokwane, and Tshwane. While other regions included are the likes of Bethal, Buffalo City, George, Kimberley, Mangaung, Mbombela, Mogale City, Msunduzi, Newcastle, Rustenburg, and Soweto. FixLocal is able to collaborate with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) to insure efficacy on key issues. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
23-04-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
The Long Wait for the South African Disability Act
SEDIBENG.- In South African politics, unmet promises of equality linger. Passing legislation is often more than just a logistical exercise; it is a performance choreographed by various actors who shape, stall, or steer laws depending on the political mood. This is evident in the protracted journey of the South African Disability Act. More than 30 years into democracy, persons with disabilities are still waiting for legislation that directly, comprehensively, and unambiguously addresses their rights. Is this delay a reflection of a lack of commitment, or is it symptomatic of broader inefficiencies within the legislative process? The answer lies in Parliament's ability to pass legislation swiftly when it wants to. For instance, the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (PEPUDA) of 2000 was passed quickly, demonstrating that urgency and political will can overcome procedural hurdles. Several key actors are responsible for developing a robust and effective South African Disability Act, including the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Social Development, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, and the Presidency. Looking back at the journey from the first administration to the present, disability rights have been addressed through specific provisions within broader legislation and the application of constitutional principles. However, the fragmented approach has led to gaps in protection and a lack of a cohesive framework addressing the multifaceted needs of persons with disabilities. Laws like the Employment Equity Act and PEPUDA include provisions related to disability, but their integration and enforcement have been inconsistent, with inadequate implementation and enforcement. Despite the absence of a specific Act, the inclusion of disability as a prohibited ground of discrimination in the Constitution and PEPUDA has provided a legal basis for challenging discriminatory practices. Sector-specific initiatives and policies have contributed to advancements in areas like accessible infrastructure and inclusive education. However, the lack of a dedicated, overarching Disability Act has relegated disability issues to the periphery, lacking focused attention and resource allocation. In conclusion, the delay in passing the South African Disability Act suggests a deficit in sustained and prioritized political will. Parliament has demonstrated its capacity for swift action when the imperative is clear. The key actors must translate constitutional ideals into tangible legal protections. Ultimately, the true measure of this legislation will be its effective implementation and enforcement, ensuring that the promise of an inclusive and equitable South Africa becomes a lived reality for all its citizens. Lucky Tumahole is a Disability Advocate and this is his opinion. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Zawya
15-04-2025
- Health
- Zawya
South Africa: Government allocates $52mln to recruit new healthcare professionals nationwide
The National Health Council has approved the creation of 1,200 new doctor positions in a major effort to tackle the critical shortage of healthcare professionals within the public healthcare system. The decision comes after years of budgetary constraints that hindered the employment of medical professionals despite dissatisfaction and urgent need. Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi's announcement follows the presentation of a new budget by the Finance Minister on Wednesday, 12 March 2025, which allocated R1.78bn to fund the recruitment of healthcare workers. In addition to the 1 200 doctors, Motsoaledi said the Council has approved the hiring of 200 nurses and 250 other healthcare professionals. He told journalists that the Human Resources units will soon commence with recruitment processes once all logistics have been finalised. 'Early this year, the country woke up to widespread dissatisfaction about the employment of healthcare professionals, especially doctors amid [a] shortage in the public healthcare system,' he said. However, Motsoaledi believes that this development marks a turning point for the public healthcare sector, which has been struggling to meet the demands of a growing population. The Council's decision is expected to alleviate pressure on existing healthcare facilities and improve access to quality medical care for citizens. Meanwhile, he said the Council emphasised its commitment to addressing the challenges facing the system and ensuring that the sector is adequately staffed to deliver essential services. The Council is a statutory body consisting of the Minister of Health, all nine Health MECs, the South African Local Government Association (Salga) and the Surgeon General of South African Military Health Services. Addressing shortages 'One of the most embarrassing experiences the public health sector had to endure is the shortage of simple things that will make the stay of patients a worthwhile experience. 'In fact, one of the biggest differences between the public and private sectors are the hotelling services characterised by the issues we have just mentioned,' said Motsoaledi. He said the Council has decided to purchase 25,000 beds, 80,000 mattresses, 7,655 bassinets for new babies, and 1,250 million linens, including bed sheets and pillows, for a total of R1.346bn. 'It is for that reason that we wish to announce that we have checked province by province what that need [is] in the form of hospital beds and bassinets for newborn babies. We remember with a sense of shame how babies were put in cardboard boxes in Mahikeng hospital in the North West province.' Review of human resources policies Meanwhile, Motsoaledi said that during the Council meeting held in November last year, a decision was made to review some of the 'outdated' human resources policies. "There are a lot of health policies that were adopted at the dawn of democracy, which we believe are now obsolete or no longer serve the purpose for which they were intended. Some have created unnecessary costs without delivering tangible benefits. In fact, we can say that some have even contributed to undermining the public sector's ability to deliver quality services." Four health policies are currently under review, including the policy on remunerative work outside the public service, which outlines the regulations for employees wishing to obtain permission for paid work beyond their regular responsibilities. A committee established in terms of Section 91(1) of the National Health Act of 2003 (Act No. 61 of 2003), read with Section 91(2) of the same Act, will also review the overtime policy. This policy relates to the fixed payments made to healthcare professionals for overtime hours worked, aimed at meeting operational demands and addressing skills shortages. In addition, the community service policy, which focuses on the deployment of medical practitioners and the rural allowance policy, designed for medical practitioners serving in remote rural locations, will also be looked into. The committee members include Cassius Lubisi, Sibongile Mchunu, Laetitia Rispel, Eric Buch, Terence Carter, Rajen Morar, Binu Luke, Nomvula Marawa, Busisiwe Ncama and Somadoda Fikeni.
