The month ahead | October 2020

Posted: 05 October 2020

Amid the month of October, there are notable national and international days’ worth marking in your calendar. SALGA and its member municipalities join the three spheres of government in marking significant themes across the month of October. These include;

• Transport Month;
• World Cities Day; 
• World Habitat Day; and
• Food Security Day

Transport: The Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula started the month when he launched Transport Month on Thursday, 1 October 2020 in KwaZulu-Natal province. During the Transport Month, spheres of government, state entities and private corporations in the transport industry showcase transport infrastructure services in aviation; maritime; public transport and roads.

This year’s Transport Month was launched under the theme, “Together shaping the future of Transport”, Mbalula says the Transport Month will also be used to raise awareness around the important role transport plays in the economy.

The month is used to further advance the country’s road safety initiatives, creating awareness of the economic benefits of the sector, jobs created through infrastructure and other service delivery programmes. The month is supported through special programmes aimed at youth and women.  

During this month SALGA will embark on carefully selected programmes as a contribution to the road infrastructure agenda. Plans are underway to fast track the guidelines for the development and management of Intermodal Public Transport Facilities. As such, a virtual panel discussion will be held where municipalities will be able to share best practices to enhance peer learning among municipalities.

World Habitat Day: The United Nations has designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day. World Habitat Day was established in 1985 by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 40/202, and was first celebrated in 1986.

Food Security - In October 2014, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) declared October as “Food Security Month”. The objective of this declaration was to create a platform for heightening public awareness on issues pertaining to food (in) security in the country. Local government has a huge hand in controlling and enabling access to food.

Annually, FAO member states commemorate World Food Day by organising public awareness campaigns that support the National Programme for Food and Nutrition Security. As a member state, South Africa also commemorates the day through hives of activities aimed at highlighting food and nutrition security.

World Cities Day: The United Nations General Assembly has designated the 31st of October as World Cities Day, by its resolution 68/239. The Day is expected to greatly promote the international community’s interest in global urbanization, push forward cooperation among countries in meeting opportunities and addressing challenges of urbanization, and contributing to sustainable urban development around the world.

Provincial Members Assembly (PMA): Provincial members will convene from this month for the Provincial Members Assembly. During these gatherings, members will:  

• act in accordance with the directions of the Provincial Conference;
• adopt SALGA’s programme of action, business plan and the budget of SALGA as approved by the National Executive Committee;
• consider reports from the working groups and oversight bodies; and
• deal with any other issues emanating from the provisions of the SALGA constitution.

The Western Cape will kick start the first of the PMA’s on the 15-16, followed by Gauteng on the 22 – 23 October.

Upcoming October Webinars

• SALGA Webinar “Toward developing guideline for the development and management of Intermodal Public Transport Facilities” 14 October 2020
• SALGA Webinar Overview of the Rural Gravel Roads Program, 21 October 2020
• SALGA Webinar Assisting Municipal Readiness for AARTO, 28 October 2020
• The Department of Transport has scheduled AARTO Public Education, 23 October 2020

Follow us on the SALGA website, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where you will find regular updates about events scheduled for the month.