10 municipal projects that really work
In cities and towns across South Africa there are innovative approaches that can be replicated in other municipalities. SHARIVAN MOODLEY found some of the best, including recent winners of the Impumelelo Awards for public-sector excellence.
What climate change means for us
A recent international gathering of municipal representatives showed that the effects of climate change are already making an impact in terms of floods, drought, water availability and quality, extreme heat, air pollution and infectious diseases. These pose a grave danger to public health – and, says MUHLOTI RUSSELL BALOYI, local government has to start taking the issue seriously.
Can advisors make a real difference?
In Newcastle Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, the hands-on assistance of one person is adding tangible value, says Municipal Manager Abdul Hoosen.
Leadership with feeling
Faced with a wide range of challenges, municipal leaders need more than conventional management skills to be effective – they need to be emotionally intelligent.
Are informal settlements here to stay?
The South African government has said that all of the country’s informal settlements must be removed or improved as rapidly as possible, but not later than 2014. But is this realistic, and whose responsibility is it?
Life in a South African slum
When survival in the city – and the hope of a better life – is dependent on a government hand out, the pressure for delivery increases. VINCENT LALI visited a family in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. This is their story.
Do municipal managers have what it takes?
Being a municipal manager is one of the toughest jobs in the public sector. These officials need encyclopaedic knowledge of a range of topics, must take full responsibility for the financial management of a municipality and need to manage the sensitive interface with elected politicians. Is South Africa giving them the skills and support they need?
Flowers do not feed us
It’s been called the ‘biggest slum in Africa’, and for residents of the sprawling Kibera settlement in Nairobi, Kenya, existence is a daily struggle.
Cutting red tape and growing the economy
As municipalities try to help local economies grow and create jobs, officials are looking at ways in which bureaucratic rules and procedures can be cut back to unleash new opportunities.
What will replace RSC levies?
In last year’s Budget, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel announced the phasing out of RSC levies from June 2006. Since then, the replacement of these levies with an alternative funding stream for municipalities has been a source of speculation.
Squatters and the cities of tomorrow
There are a billion squatters in the world today, almost one in six people on the planet. And the numbers are on the rise.
Talking to ... Municipal health chiefs
In towns and cities across the country, local government health officials are dealing with everything from rats and restaurant kitchens to air pollution and HIV/Aids strategies. DELIVERY spoke to two municipal health officials about their daily challenges.
Talking to...Buyelwa Sonjica
Municipalities are at the centre of delivery of water and sanitation. DELIVERY spoke to South Africa’s Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry about the challenges that face local government in the next five-year term, and the role her department is playing in building capacity at local level.
Talking to...Sydney Mufamadi
On the eve of the next five-year term of local government, DELIVERY spoke to the Minister of Provincial and Local Government about progress, problems and priorities at local level.
Joining forces for efficiency
The first municipal shared service centre is being established in the Central Karoo with help from Project Consolidate.