Velenkosini Hlabisa Holds a Dialogue on the Review of the White Paper on Local Government
In an effort to improve the functioning of local government in South Africa, Velenkosini Hlabisa, the leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), recently held a dialogue on the review of the White Paper on Local Government. The dialogue, which took place on 25 October 2021, brought together various stakeholders including government officials, civil society organizations, and community leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing local government in the country.
Velenkosini Hlabisa, who is also the Mayor of the Ulundi Local Municipality, has been a vocal advocate for the review of the White Paper on Local Government. He believes that the current system is not working effectively and needs to be restructured in order to better serve the needs of communities.
During the dialogue, Hlabisa highlighted the need for a more decentralized approach to local government, where power and resources are shared among all levels of government. He also emphasized the importance of community participation in decision-making processes, as well as the need for better coordination between national, provincial, and local government.
The dialogue was a platform for open and honest discussions about the challenges facing local government, including issues such as corruption, lack of service delivery, and financial mismanagement. Participants also shared their ideas and suggestions on how to improve the current system and ensure that local government is more transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of citizens.
One of the key issues raised during the dialogue was the need for a review of the funding model for local government. Many participants felt that the current system, which relies heavily on grants from national government, is not sustainable and often leads to delays in service delivery. They called for a more equitable distribution of resources and a greater focus on revenue generation at the local level.
Speaking at the dialogue, Hlabisa said, “Local government is the closest sphere of government to the people, and it is where the real work of service delivery takes place. However, for too long, our local government has been neglected and underfunded. It is time for us to take a critical look at the White Paper on Local Government and come up with solutions that will ensure that our communities receive the services they deserve.”
The dialogue also addressed the issue of capacity building within local government. Participants agreed that there is a need for better training and support for councillors and municipal officials to ensure that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively carry out their duties.
In his closing remarks, Hlabisa reiterated his commitment to working with all stakeholders to find solutions to the challenges facing local government. He also called on the national government to take the recommendations from the dialogue seriously and to work towards implementing them.
The dialogue on the review of the White Paper on Local Government was a step in the right direction towards improving the functioning of local government in South Africa. It provided a platform for constructive discussions and the sharing of ideas, and it is hoped that the recommendations made will be taken into consideration in the review process.
As Velenkosini Hlabisa said, “We cannot continue to do things the same way and expect different results. It is time for us to come together and find innovative solutions that will ensure that our local government is efficient, transparent, and accountable to the people.” With the commitment and dedication of leaders like Hlabisa, there is hope for a better and more effective local government system in South Africa.
