High-level panel discussion
How can we improve local governance?
Panelists and facilitator from left: Chelsea Ndlovu-Nachamba, Planact; Sharonne Adams, Office of the Auditor General; Mike Pothier, CPLO; Minister of Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa, Prof Jaap De Visser, Dullah Omar Institute
HSF
South Africa and its citizens need functioning municipalities - and many academics, decision-makers, active citizens, and other stakeholders followed our invitation to the beautiful venue at 6 Spin Street in Cape Town and online this week.
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa was part of our panel of esteemed speakers. He outlined key priorities:
- “Depoliticising of local government administration. Cadre deployment must end.”
- “Professionalisation of local government officials and consequence management must be order of the day.”
- “Introduction of minimum standards for office bearers like speakers of councils.”
- “We must build municipalities that are fit for purpose, structurally, financially, and operationally.”
The diverse, large audience in the room and online engaged in a thought-provoking discussion with the panelists
CPLO
Here are just some of the valuable insights from our other renowned panelists:
* Certain potential reforms need time. However, even before the Municipal Elections, smaller reforms are feasible: give councils more time than 2 weeks to constitute, and make the voting process for mayors open rather than a secret ballot. It’s also a good idea for parties to require minimum qualifications of their candidates.
Prof Jaap de Visser, Dullah Omar Institute, The University of the Western Cape
* For the many material irregularities detected in municipality audits, consequence management must be strengthened urgently - and the AG will be part of that!
Sharonne Adams, Auditor-General South Africa
* Local government has become transactional and lost its development aspect. From our work with communities, we know that people are losing trust and are tired of broken promises - but they are resilient, and they do have the desire to participate! No matter who gets elected: they must be competent, and they must be accountable!
Chelsea Ndlovu-Nachamba, Planact
Participants in the audience and online joined the very engaging, solution-oriented discussion which was facilitated by Mike Pothier, Program Manager at the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office.
You can watch a recording of the panelists' discussion here:
The 2026 Municipal Elections and the State of Local Government
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