The great turnout of councillors from different parties showed the interest they have in this training and discussion opportunity. The event was the first of a series of five taking place in different parts of the Western Cape. It responds to the need to focus on local government to improve service delivery.
MEC of Local Government in the Western Cape Anton Bredell addressed the councillors as well. He emphasized that Ward Committees are a vital communication line between government and the people. He also stressed that economic development is not only a national matter but very much also a local government matter as it effects normal people and the poor in their day to day lives the most - service delivery and high standards are therefore crucial to solve the issues that matter to communities.
Prof Zweli Ndevu has just been appointed the new Director of the School of Public Leadership at Stellenbosch University. He unpacked the contributing values to servant, democratic public leadership and governance.
Prof Tania Ajam reflected on the Concillors Code of Conduct and its relationship to the individual value system of Councillors. She has many years of experience in research, teaching and in high level national governance institutions and has just been appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to his Economic Advisory Council as well.
Further Summer Schools are currently taking place in different areas of the Western Cape, supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation.