Local Government welcomes district based coordination model launched in Lusikisiki

Posted: 27 September 2019

Local government has welcomed the newly launched district model saying it will not only improve planning but will also centralize reporting and enhance accountability for all spheres of government.

Dubbed ”Khawuleza”, President Cyril Ramaphosa officially launched the first pilot site of the district-based during the Presidential Imbizo in OR Tambo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province on Tuesday, 17 September 2019.

The event was attended by various Cabinet Leaders, Provincial and Traditional Leaders, SALGA and Sector Departments, among others.

Speaking on the sidelines of the launch, the Executive Mayor of O.R. Tambo District Municipality, Cllr Thokozile Sokhanyile welcomed the district-based model and said it would improve local government delivery: “It will help us to monitor the development that happens in various wards. It will centralize planning and reporting as they will be one plan one budget for each district. We will know who is doing what, who is not doing what is supposed to be done, so we can make necessary interventions”.

President Ramaphosa said: “the
new district-based coordination model was aimed to address service delivery and economic development challenges” through the synchronisation of planning across all spheres of government, working alongside social partners such as business and community.

SALGA Deputy President Sebenzile Ngangelizwe said Organized Local Government requires integrated approach to development and this is what SALGA has always lobbied and advocated for. “The direction we are moving towards to is to see ‘One District; One Plan; One Budget; One Approach’ for the entire local government sphere,” he said.

OR Tambo District Municipality, Waterberg District Municipality in Limpopo and eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, have been identified as the first three pilot sites for the model.

The OR Tambo District Municipality comprises the following local municipalities; King Sabatha Dalindyebo, Nyandeni; Ingquza Hill, Mhlontlo and Port St Johns.

The model has been endorsed by Cabinet, SALGA, traditional authorities and the President’s Coordinating Council (PCC).

Thousands of people attended the Imbizo and some where seen ululating and jumping with joy to see Government coming directly to interface with them. 

This new approach will require - with effect from the 2020/21 Budget cycle - that national budgets and programmes be spatially referenced across the 44 districts and 8 Metros.