In a strong show of institutional unity, the head of Rhodes University has called on civic groups to encourage communities in Makana to pay their municipal rates and services charges.
“We must encourage everyone we know to start paying for services,” Dr Sizwe Mabizela told a group of around 100 Council officials and representatives from institutions and civil society groups.
“We are trying to address Makana’s problems. To do this we need resources.”He spoke at the end of a day-long Summit on Wednesday 20 May convened by administrator Pam Yako to map a way forward for the work streams she established at the start of her term.Yako was appointed as administrator in Makana Municipality by the Eastern Cape government on 28 August 2014 in terms of Section 139 (1) (b) of the Constitution.
The work streams established were reconnecting with communities; Driving service-delivery; Governance and oversight; Capacitating the municipality and Ensuring financial viability.
They are small working groups comprised jointly of Council staff, councillors and experts and activists in those areas of work.They are intended as the vehicle for the partnership of stakeholders who signed a pledge of commitment on 5 December.
They are areas identified by the administrator as being key to the municipality’s recovery.A main purpose of Wednesday’s summit was to institutionalise the workstreams, so work they had done would not be lost at the end of the administration period.
A proposal for a monthly feedback cycle for each area of work was proposed.Ward committees were identified as key to making the work of volunteers and Council officials sustainable.The Summit resolved that these needed to be beefed up through better communication, as well as a deliberate drive to transfer key organisational skills.
The need for good communication was highlighted throughout the day’s proceedings. Mabizela, who also opened proceedings, concluded the day by saying he believed there was a strong shared sense of purpose and mission among the participants.
He encouraged an even deeper commitment to the process.“We should have the hope that tomorrow will be a better day than today.We should never lose sight of the kind of society envisioned in our Constitution,” Mabizela said.“I have a positive feeling that we are on our way up. In two or three years, it may be that the auditor general will refer to us as a model municipality.”
Source: Grocott's Mail
By: Sue Maclennan