The White Paper on Local Government 1998, establishes the basis for a new developmental local government system, which is committed to working with citizens, groups and communities to create sustainable human settlements which provide for a decent quality of life and meet the social, economic and material needs of communities in a holistic way.
The Local Government Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000 Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 respectively prescribe as follows:
Section 16 “(1) A municipality must develop a culture of municipal governance that complements formal representative government with a system of participatory governance, and must for this purpose-
i) Encourage, and create conditions for, the local community to participate in the affairs of the municipality, including in—
(i) The preparation, implementation and review of its integrated development plan in terms of Chapter 5”.
Section 29. (1) The process followed by a municipality to draft its integrated development plan, including its consideration and adoption of the draft plan, must--
(a) be in accordance with a predetermined programme specifying timeframes for the different steps;
(b) through appropriate mechanisms, processes and procedures established in terms of Chapter 4, allow for—
(i) the local community to be consulted on its development needs and priorities;
(ii) the local community to participate in the drafting of the integrated development plan; and
(iii) organs of state, including traditional authorities. and other role players to be identified and consulted on the drafting of the integrated development plan;
It is against this background, Legislative Mandate that Ntabankulu Local Municipality in line with her vision and mission is committed in ensuring a sound participation by members of the community.
5.1 Community Participation Mechanisms
In pursuing the legislative mandate and its mission, Ntabankulu Local Municipality has vigorously engaged community members outlining the process plan to be followed in developing 2012/2017 Integrated Development Plan and 2012/2015 MTEF Budget.
The municipality embarked on programs that involved stakeholders in pre-planning, planning and implementation of the IDP, Budget, SDBIP and PMS Process Plan. On 05th August 2011the IDP, Budget, SDBIP, PMS process plan was presented in the IDP Engagement Session, where organs of state, members from religious fraternity, business sector and Ntabankulu Councilors were represented. This was done to solicit inputs and commitment from all stakeholders in the implementation of the Process plan.
Ntabankulu Local Municipality Council adopted the IDP, Budget, SDBIP and PMS process plan on 29th August 2011, after which it was submitted to the Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Provincial Treasury and Alfred Nzo District Municipality.
The process plan was further published on the Daily Dispatch and Kokstad Fever to solicit inputs from all stakeholders.
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5.1.1 Training and Capacity Building in Community Based Planning
Alfred Nzo District Municipality committed a total budget of R150.000 for training and capacity building in Ward Community Based Planning. A service provider was therefore appointed by Ntabankulu Local Municipality for Capacity Building of IDP Technical Committee, Councilors, Ward Committees, Community Development Workers and Representatives of five Traditional Councilors.
The training and capacity building was conducted in November and December 2011, for targeted stakeholders to champion the needs of locals which would then inform Ntabankulu Objectives and Strategies.
5.1.2 Ntabankulu Local Municipality and Eastern Cape Provincial Executive Committee Programs
The municipality is aiming to move beyond rhetoric of participation, to practical means of empowering citizens to take charge of their own development in partnership with government. In order to make this a reality, the municipality embarked on two Executive Committee Outreach Programs.
Ntabankulu Executive Committee visited wards in clusters from 26 September 2011 to 13th October 2011 where the process plan was outlined encouraging community members to plan for their future. The program was championed by the Office of the Mayor. The purpose of the program was to involve community members from the initial phases of the IDP, outlining the five phases of the IDP, Budget, SDBIP, PMS, their role as community members and educate them on the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders.
Provincial Executive Committee Outreach in November 2011 held in five wards of Ntabankulu Local Municipality, intended to identify the extent and nature of service delivery challenges so as to put in place the necessary interventions in the area.
On 06th February to 09th March 2012, the Executive Committee visited 18 wards of the municipality. The program championed by the Office of the Mayor, was structured such that it gives an opportunity for communities to plan what and how their government should and can assist them in changing their quandary. The approach advocated by the municipality included:
An engagement between Ntabankulu IDP Technical Committee, Ward Councilor, Ward Committees and Community members, a day preceding the visit by Ntabankulu Executive Committee. The intention was to publicize the visit by the Mayor & Executive Committee and to collate the information and responses thereof by the organs of state and the Executive Committee.
Organs of state representatives from the Department of Social Development and Special Programs, Department of Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (DARRD), South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), South African Police Services (SAPS), Department of Home Affairs were amongst the stakeholders during Executive Committee Outreach to offer government services on site, and to educate community members on the services offered by their respective departments.
Through public engagements, priority areas emerged and these have been distilled into the following five (05) priority issues, which Ntabankulu Local Municipality has to address going forward. The five priority issues relate to:
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1. Institutional Development and Organizational Transformation
Training and Capacity Building of Municipal Staff and Councillors
Alignment of Organizational Structure to IDP Objectives
Strengthen Performance management system 2. Basic Service Delivery
Roads & Transport
Water and Sanitation
Electricity
Eradication of Mud Schools & Construction, Construction and Maintenance and Furnishing of Public Amenities (Pre-Schools, Community halls, Sport Facilities, Clinics)
Telecommunication (installation of network poles)
Human Settlement (Provision of RDP Houses to deserving Community Members)
3. Socio-Economic Development:
Funding of Community Development Initiatives
Mainstreaming of vulnerable groups into economic activities
Access to Enabling documents and Social Relief Programs
Safety and Security
School Transport and School Nutrition Program
4. Financial Viability and Management
Revenue Enhancement Strategy for NLM
Strengthen functioning of Operation Clean Audit and Risk Management Committees
5. Good Governance and Public Participation
Strengthen Ntabankulu Inter-Sector Forum and Sub-Sector Forums
Strengthen functioning of Municipal Public Accounts Committee
Enforce Municipal Policies and By-Laws
Encourage Community Participation in government and governance
Implementation of Gazette No 2646 Traditional Leadership Sitting
The table below illustrates the summary of priority issues raised by community members. The picture depicts that Ntabankulu Local Municipality must robustly focus on Basic Service Delivery, Local Economic Development and Social Relief Programs.
The table below therefore illustrates the following:
Key development Priority Issue
Location/Specification and Affected Group
Effects and
Related potential
The related potential therefore informed Chapter 5 of 2012/2017 IDP Objectives and Strategies and 2012/2015 MTEF Budget Framework.
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In the 2012/2013 financial year a total budget of R94 712 000 this is a ...% increase from last financial year. This is because of mainly two factors i.e. an increase in the equitable share by at least 14 %, from R54 929 000 to R62 559 000 and an increase in the expected collection of rates and services from Traffic Department. Our budget is from the following appropriations:
Equitable Share- R62 559 000
Municipal Infrastructure Grant- R23 853 000
Electrification- R5 000 000
EPWP- R1000 000
FMG- R1 500 000
MSIG- R800 000
5.1.2.1 Issues Raised during Provincial Executive Committee Outreach