Local Government officials from across the world to attend the SALGA National Conference 2016

Posted: 25 November 2016

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The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) will hold its National Conference at the Sandton International Convention Centre, Johannesburg, from 28 November - 1 December 2016, convened by the National Executive Committee of SALGA.

The National Conference is held every five years and is attended by senior decision makers in municipalities made up of mayors, speakers, municipal managers and chief financial officers. South Africa has just emerged from its fourth successful democratic municipal elections ushering in a fourth term of democratic, developmental local government.

Lance Joel, Executive Manager of Parliamentary Affairs, says that this conference will be the biggest one yet. The guest list will have almost 2000 delegates from all municipalities across South Africa, representatives from provincial and national government, and international local government officials.
The Deputy President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, will officially open the conference. The President of the Common Wealth Local Forum, ministers in the South African government, and representatives from all spheres of government will be in attendance.

Out of South Africa’s 257 municipalities, 218 have so far confirmed their participation at the conference. 85% of municipalities have since registered 983 municipality delegates. The provinces of Gauteng and the Free State have 100% municipal registration, closely followed by Limpopo with 96%, and Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga with 95%.

Nine ministers have also confirmed their participation in panel discussions, with all the provincial MEC’s confirming their attendance. The panel discussion will share experiences on a range of topics which, Joel says, “will be an interesting conversation because it brings perspectives from different spheres of government and creates the perfect platform for the three spheres of government to join together in conversation”.

Other exciting events include business exhibitions at the conference which will showcase a variety of public and private sector companies. The exhibition will host a cocktail session where there will be registration and the welcoming of delegates to the conference.

The conference will also be live-streamed for the general public to get involved in Local Government and for those who will not be able to make it to the Sandton Convention Centre.