SALGA engagement addresses municipal challenges and strengthens cooperative governance
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Date: 2025-07-03 16:45:46

SALGA engagement addresses municipal challenges and strengthens cooperative governance

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH  
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3 JULY 2025
 
SALGA ENGAGEMENT ADDRESSES MUNICIPAL CHALLENGES AND STRENGTHENS COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE
 
High level discussions to enhance service delivery in municipalities was the focus of the South African Local Government Association’s (SALGA) Provincial Executive Committee engagement which took place today, 3 July at the Durban City Hall.
 
The gathering brought together Municipal leadership from across KwaZulu-Natal to discuss ongoing challenges facing local government as well as finding collaborative solutions to enhance governance and service delivery across the province.  
 
There were representatives from the iLembe, uMgungundlovu, uThukela, and eThekwini Municipalities who engaged on cooperative governance, facilitated knowledge sharing, and boosting municipal capacity. Key to the discussions were issues such as rising municipal debt, infrastructure backlogs, lack of maintenance, illegal electricity connections, vandalism, and disruptions caused by business forums.
 
EThekwini Deputy Mayor Councillor Zandile Myeni hailed the engagement as an important platform for shaping the future of local governance. “As local government leaders, we are united in our goal to strengthen governance, improve service delivery, and ensure communities receive quality services.
 
Solutions come from shared wisdom, practical experience, and innovation across municipalities. By working together, we can enhance SALGA’s impact and contribute meaningfully to national efforts to reposition local government,” said Deputy Mayor Myeni.
 
Delegates engaged on key priorities, including crime and corruption eradication, integrating Amakhosi meaningfully into municipal structures, and improving core services particularly water and sanitation. A strong emphasis was placed on revenue protection, the need for accurate municipal billing systems, and hiring competent officials to ensure efficient administration.
 
Municipalities collectively committed to being more proactive in addressing challenges.Deputy Mayor Myeni also stressed the importance of ethical leadership and accountability, urging municipalities to lead with integrity and deliver on their promises. “The road ahead will not be without obstacles, but through mutual support and constructive dialogue, we can overcome them. Clear communication, ethical leadership, and accountability are essential. Our communities deserve and demand nothing less than responsiveness, transparency, and uninterrupted service delivery,” she said.
 
Among the key resolutions was a call for SALGA to intervene in matters where national and provincial government departments owe municipalities debt. There was also a strong recommendation for SALGA to support Eskom-licensed municipalities in managing and recovering ratepayer debt.  
 
EThekwini Municipality suggested that municipalities make use of the District Development Model to plan together as the three spheres of government to ensure the model is successful.
 
ENDS
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate.