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Convergence of great minds, as local government experts, academics and thought leaders deliberate and unpacks the impact of amalgamations on service delivery. One of the key recommendation that emerged from the discussion is that perhaps there should be a legislative review whereby amalgamations are conducted every 10 or 15 years in the interest to promote stability and socio-economic development.

Local government challenges will not be resolved by demarcation. Concerted efforts including the district development model, is set to take local government to greater heights.

FACT: There is no direct correlation between amalgamations/demarcation and performance of municipalities

In its quest to strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders, the MDB led by the Chairperson of the Board, Thabo Manyoni met with the National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL), Ikosi SE Mahlangu to share ideas on how to enhance public participation on demarcation related processes specifically in traditional communities.

The parties unequivocally agreed that Communities have a right to receive basic services. They vowed to work closely with local authorities as they discharge their powers and functions towards providing adequate services to communities. It is envisaged that through such decisive interventions, community disgruntlements can be minimised.

Both parties agreed to work together to encourage communities to actively participate in the upcoming Public consultation sessions to commence from February -April 2020, where communities will have an opportunity to configure their wards.

#ConfigureYourWards

#WardDelimitation2020

Chairperson of the Board along with MDB officials were at Qwaleni Village in the Eastern Cape.

MDB’s action is guided by the law and the demarcation processes, we have heard your concerns and reiterate that we will only be able to resolve the matter after the Local Government Elections (LGE) in 2021.

MDB COO, Mr A Ramagadza

MDBs WARD DELIMITATION PROCESS GAINS MOMENTUM

In an effort to obtain stakeholder support on the ward delimitation process, the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) is engaging all key stakeholders, which includes amongst others Mayors, MECs, as well as Municipal Managers. The objective is to ensure that our stakeholders are empowered and get a clear understanding of the process of ward delimitation.

Every five years, the MDB delimits wards in metropolitan and local municipalities for electoral purposes. To this end, the MDB will conduct technical sessions with municipalities to configure draft wards between September and October 2019.

The process commences with the publication of formulae to calculate the number of councilors by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and thereafter the publication of the number of councilors by the provincial MEC’s responsible for local government. ,.

 Thus far the Minister Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma published the formulae in July 2019 and six provinces have published the number of Councillors, namely:  

• Limpopo
• North West
• Western Cape
• Mpumalanga
• Eastern Cape and
• Free State

CURRENT STATUS OF THE WARD DELIMITATION PLAN

As indicated above, the MDB will now focus on the technical sessions with all Provinces, thereafter a nationwide public consultations on the first draft set of wards will commence from January 2020. Details of these consultations will be communicated towards the beginning of January 2020.

In anticipation of a robust public participation, MDB appeals to all stakeholders to embrace the ward delimitation process and familiarise themselves with process in order to participate meaningfully.

More information on the Ward Delimitation Process can be obtained on the MDB website, www.demarcation.org.za

The MDB Board Member are meeting with the Portfolio Committee Members to discuss MDB Strategic Plan.

Board member Mr Albert Kekesi will tomorrow engage the MEC and Mayors on the Ward Delimitation Process.