The newly launched Provincial Municipal Speakers’ Forum is expected to promote and open channels of communication between local municipalities and the district municipalities at both political and administrative levels for purposes of enhancing good governance.
The forum which was launched by the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta), Makoma Makhurupetje recently follows on the MEC’s Mayors’ Forum launched on 14 July.
A statement issued by the department informed that the forum was an ongoing process of interaction and cooperation between the MEC and speakers to ensure improved accountability and oversight in municipalities. Makhurupetje reportedly stated that the guiding principle behind the existence of the forum was to facilitate effective cooperation between the Provincial Government and Local Government.
According to the statement the MEC explained the forum’s main aim as being to enhance the integrated planning, development and consider priorities for municipalities and further to strengthen coordination and interaction between the spheres of government in order to ensure effective alignment in terms of legislation, financial matters, policies, projects and programmes.
“The forum is a platform of interaction and consultation with the speakers on common intervention measures established to the challenges facing municipalities. The forum will further align the relevancy of by-laws, programming of reporting back to the communities, Back to Basics Programme and matters pertaining to human settlements affecting municipalities,” Makhurupetje is quoted to have said.
The forum is reportedly a voluntary and consultative body for municipal speakers in Limpopo to discuss and consult on matters of mutual interest, including promoting and facilitate inter-governmental relations and cooperative governance between municipal speakers, provide a platform for Speakers to interact on matters of common interest.
The forum is also expected to enhance and entrench public participation in the business of municipalities, share experiences and best practice on matters of common interest, ensure that there is uniformity and consistency in the management and operation of the Offices of the Speakers across the province and consider reports from district municipalities on public participation.
Story: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za
