Pretoria - Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Deputy Minister Andries Nel has appealed for collaboration across the three spheres of government in implementing the Back to Basics programme.
He was speaking at the launch of the North West Provincial Back to Basics launch convened by Premier Supra Mahumapelo in Rustenburg on Wednesday.
Deputy Minister Nel reiterated President Jacob Zuma’s call to prioritise local government.
In his State of the Nation Address, President Zuma spoke about the need to ensure that people have a positive experience of government.
“… Now we need to show unwavering commitment to implement the Back to Basics programme,” he said.
Deputy Minister Nel said activities related to education, health, recreation, economic, housing and others take place daily in each of the 278 municipalities of South Africa, and that made local government important amongst spheres of government.
He said collaboration between various spheres of government was also crucial in implementing the Back to Basics approach, which in turn will help in monitoring and tracking of local government service delivery.
“We are optimistic that the Inter-Ministerial Service Delivery Task Team, chaired by Minister Pravin Gordhan, will help to clear obstacles to improving the quality and rate of service delivery,” said Deputy Minister Nel.
He highlighted the National Development Plan’s objectives of transforming local government and a commitment towards the creation of more functional municipalities and a capable machinery at a local level.
“To be able to implement the National Development Plan, we need to get the basics right in our municipalities,” he said.
Meanwhile, Premier Mahumapelo welcomed the launch of the Back to Basics programme and urged officials to keep close contact with communities, through effective service delivery.
“We must make sure that we track the services that are being taken to the people. If we promise to provide shelter, let it be and not just run a talk-show,” the Premier said.
“My office has introduced the Setsokotsane approach where we engage with communities and get feedback from them on the services that they receive.”
Mayors from various municipalities in the North West signed a pledge, committing to implement the back to basics approach and ensuring the delivery of quality services. - SAnews.gov.za
