KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, said Cogta’s vision was to have all 54 municipalities functional to the best level and called on under-performing municipalities to improve service delivery.
Sithole-Moloi was addressing mayors, municipal managers, and Amakhosi at the Municipal Service Excellence Awards held at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall on Tuesday night.
The MEC said the aim of the awards was to encourage municipalities to draw inspiration from those that are doing well.
During the ceremony, she acknowledged that there were municipalities that were not performing as expected and reassured the mayors that the department would continue its monitoring, and intervene by invoking laws where necessary.
“I must state that while acknowledging that, we are aware that not all municipalities have consistently met performance expectations. We have witnessed notable improvements in many of them. Therefore, it is imperative to honour those municipalities that have demonstrated excellence, not only to commend their efforts but also to serve as a source of inspiration for others.”
Sithole-Moloi said the adjudication committee looked into various aspects of municipal governance.
She said the department recognised that municipalities might not excel in all areas.
“Mayors should demonstrate courage, and commit themselves to achieving excellence in at least five key areas. By prioritising improvement in these areas, other units within the municipality are likely to follow suit over time.”
“Our vision as a department was to have all our 54 municipalities functional to the best level,” she said.
“This will undoubtedly impact the lives of our people and portray a good image of government. As a department, we urge a renewed commitment to addressing underlying challenges and striving for improvement,” said Sithole-Moloi.
The department said the awards aimed to motivate municipalities to enhance their performance, productivity, and innovation in service provision, as well as to promote best practices.
Municipalities competed in 17 categories which focused on various municipal programmes, including financial management, sustainable electricity projects, expanded public works programmes, cleanliness township, functional waste management, clean audit and disaster response among the categories.
The MEC bestowed awards on municipalities that were selected as performing best in various programmes. She also awarded the best traditional council in co-ordinating service delivery at the Traditional Administrative Centre, where the Mpungose Traditional Council in Ulundi won.
“The Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast under Ugu District emerged as an overall winner for its service delivery and budget implementation plan in the 2021/2022 financial year,” said the department, adding that this category was determined by the level of improved achievement of planned targets, service delivery indicators and audit outcomes.
List of all winners in Service Excellence Awards:
- Best performing ward committee: ward 1 of Greater Kokstad Municipality
- Best managed electricity project by municipality: Dr Nkosazane Dlamini Zuma Municipality
- Most efficient MIG project: uMdloti Bridge: Ndwedwe Local Municipality
- Best special development framework: uMhlathuze Local Municipality
- Best land use management public awareness programme: eThekwini Metro
- Most functional community service centre with best 4IR implemented: SCS eThekwini Metro
- Best traditional council in co-ordinating service delivery at the Traditional Administration Council – Mpungose Traditional Council in Ulundi.
- Best developed integrated development plan – Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality
- Clean audit opinion in the 2021/2022 – Okhahlamba Local Municipality
- Best sustained sound financial management - Umuziwabantu Local Municipality
- Allocation and expenditure on maintenance and repair budget - Mkhambathini Local Municipality
- Best implemented small town revitalisation programme: Mkhambathini Local Municipality
- Best functional district development agency: Enterprise Ilembe – Ilembe District Municipality
- Best performing local expanded public works programme – Mandeni Local Municipality
- Best performing district expanded public works programme – Harry Gwala District Municipality
- Best performing local community work programme – Umhlabuyalingana Local Municipality
- Cleanest township and best waste management outreach programme – Ntuzuma Township under eThekwini Metro
- Overall winner best implemented service delivery and budget implementation plan – Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality
Sithole-Moloi also awarded Special Awards relating to floods disaster awareness and responses.
- Efficiency disaster management response - Umgungundlovu District, Ugu District, and Ilembe District Municipalities
- Update and awareness on disasters community radio station: Nqubeko FM Community Radio – Ladysmith
The Mercury