PRESS RELEASE

 

23 NOVEMBER 2021

 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS – Quo Vadis?

 

The conclusion of the local government election has come at a time where the country is experiencing severe uncertainty. This fundamental uncertainty was reflected in the low voter turnout, where less than a third of eligible voters participated in the election. This can be construed as a motion of no confidence in the country’s local governments.

 

Sadly, it seems like the conclusion of the local government election will have no significant impact on the structural challenges of local economic development in South Africa, and it would be fair to further conclude, that there is a very slim chance that the newly elected councillors will make any significant impact on the current economic disaster at the local levels of society.

 

Mr Johann Weber, spokesperson for Local Economic Development at the National Employers’ Association of South Africa (NEASA), expressed his concern about this reality:

 

“The latest election has come at a time where the country is experiencing extreme levels of political uncertainty that translates into a protracted state of low economic growth and excessive rates of unemployment. For example, the total collapse of local government in most South African towns is a painful reality and although this collapse can be attributed to the inadequacies of local municipalities, it would be short-sighted to place the entire blame on councillors and local government officials when there is an overall lack of public participation from the local community.”

 

South Africans know too well that the failure of basic service delivery has a far-reaching socio-economic consequence. It therefore seems fair to conclude that, unless municipal planning and budgeting processes of local government are based on sound business principles, the country will fail to grow its economy.

 

“The private sector has all the technical, financial resources and capabilities that are needed for basic service delivery to ensure a prosperous environment for businesses in most of our towns in the country. If the private sector can form a partnership with local government and strengthen their executive capability for basic service delivery, by engaging in public-private-partnerships, then there stands no reason why most towns in the rural areas of the country can’t achieve double-digit economic growth,” Weber said.

 

The key role of the business community, in local government, is to participate in the Integrated Development Planning (IDP) process and to engage with the local municipality to develop sustainable service delivery mechanisms, such as public-private-partnerships and city improvement districts. This will not only ensure the effective execution of municipality’s functions, but will also stimulate local economic development.

 

NEASA has therefore developed an IDP participation plan for the business community to become actively involved in the IDP process of municipalities. The plan thoroughly explains the IDP development process, what the IDP document should contain, how the business community can add value to the IDP process, and how they can hold local government to account relating to the IDP and budgeting process.

 

“Municipalities will now enter into a new integrated development planning and budgeting process. It is up to the business community to become an active participant in this process immediately and to ensure that the outcomes of the IDP process lead to sustainable local economic development. I honestly think that there is no alternative solution to the socio-economic woes of local communities. The national government is technically bankrupt, and no political party will ever provide a sustainable solution for local economic development without the active involvement of the private sector in local government affairs,” Weber concluded.

 

NEASA is convinced that this guideline will empower its members, and the business community at large, with the necessary knowledge and insight needed for an inclusive approach, to establish an environment that will stimulate local economic development. This guideline can be downloaded on NEASA’s Facebook page (@neasacoza).

 

This initiative sets the stage for NEASA’s expanded 2022 #MyMunicipality campaign, that will aim to empower local communities to become active participants in local government affairs.

 

Click here to access a soundbite by Johann Weber, Spokesperson for the Local Economic Development (NEASA).

 

Johann Weber

Spokesperson: Local Economic Development

NEASA

Email: johann@neasa.co.za

 

Jeanne Boshoff

Communications Manager

NEASA

Cell: 083 455 7298

Email: jeanne@neasa.co.za