Salga wants to move as a unit

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GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - Delegates from municipalities across the province met yesterday, Wednesday 21 September, for a two-day engagement with the national executive committee of the South African Local Government Association (Salga) at the King George Protea Hotel.

"In essence the idea is to create a platform where different aspects of local government can be scrutinised and discussed among those who have a common interest - municipalities serving their communities," said Salga's deputy president, Florah Maboa-Boltman.

The meet and greet between officials and executive members created an atmosphere of excitement - a great prelude to the day's agenda. Salga president Bheke Stofile opened the event with a philosophical message, saying the ability of government to move as a unit is an important step in the right direction.

"We must invent the new future. The soil is shifting. We need to embark on a journey, creating a responsible, inclusive government. It is important for us to have a deeper reflection," he said.

He invited representatives of the different municipalities to make use of all the platforms available to engage in robust discussions regarding local governance. "There will be no change without conversation with you. It is your space, you must demand it."

VIDEO: Salga engagement in George

For some attendees the engagement was a new experience. Signing the attendance register yesterday, Deputy Mayor of the Cape Winelands District Municipality Margaret Sampson said although this is her first Salga engagement, she believes in the importance of communication within local government on many different levels.

City of Cape Town was first to take the floor with their presentation. The line-up for the rest of the day included Cape Winelands; Central Karoo; Overberg; West Coast and the Garden Route.

Salga deputy chairperson Aidan Stowman (Drakenstein Municipality), GRDM Mayor and Salga deputy chairperson Memory Booysen, Mayor of Overstrand and member of Salga's national executive committee Annelie Rabie and head of Salga in the Western Cape Khalil Mullagie.

Adv Johan Miller (left), a councillor of Drakenstein Municipality, signs the attendance register with Deputy Mayor of the Cape Winelands District Municipality Margaret Sampson (back left).

MUST - National executive committee members: Deputy Mayor of Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality Mapaseka Mothibi-Nkoane, deputy president of Salga Florah Maboa-Boltman, Mayor of Thembisile Hani Municipality in Mpumalanga Lesetja Dikgale and Mayor of Ehlanzeni District Municipality Jesta Sidell.

Early birds: Salga deputy chairperson Aidan Stowman (Drakenstein Municipality), Deputy Mayor of Stellenbosch Jeremy Fasser, Deputy Mayor of Prince Albert Municipality Linda Jaquet, Speaker of Bergrivier Municipality Randall Swartz and Municipal Manager of the West Coast District Municipality David Joubert.
Photos: Michelle Pienaar