Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, hon members, the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, officials, ladies and gentlemen ...
Maaforika Borwa, a re laleng ka dintho, madi a tshologe le dipelo tse di gamutlhetseng kutlobotlhoko di tla fola. Ba ile bomorwarraarona, ba ka seka ba boa. Ba tserwe ke loso le le se nang pelotlhomogi. BooraShicheka, booraPadayachie le booraNyanda gomotsegang. (Translation of Setswana paragraph follows.)
[Fellow South Africans, we are heartbroken and deeply saddened by the passing away of our comrades. However, we hope we will find healing in grieving. A merciless death has taken them away from us and therefore I would like to pass on our condolences to the Shiceka, Padayachie and Nyanda families.]
Chairperson, as the department that stands at the centre of governance and development in the country, the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs is also responsible for ensuring that the following entities participate in the intergovernmental system to contribute towards constitutionally enshrined principles of co-operative governance within their respective mandate. These are the South African Local Government Association, the Municipal Demarcation Board and the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religion and Linguistic Communities.
Salga was established in terms of Chapter 7(163) of the Constitution and its mandate is to provide for the recognition of national and provincial organisations representing municipalities; to determine procedures by which local government may consult with the national or provincial government; to designate representatives to participate in the NCOP; and to participate in the process prescribed in the national legislation.
As a representative body of organised local government, Salga has played an important intergovernmental-relations role in promoting the principle of co- operative governance in the country. In addition, it is a developmental institution which has, over the years, focused on building the capacity of councillors. We need to commend them for their implementation of the council induction programme immediately after the 2011 local government elections.
The aim of the programme was to ensure that the newly elected councils are capacitated with a greater understanding of their leadership role, the legislation that guides local government, key municipal processes, developmental local government and service delivery.
In assessing the Budget Vote, it is imperative that recognition of this developmental role of Salga is emphasised for the purpose of ensuring that its capacity is strengthened through government support. This approach would be in line with our goal of establishing a developmental state and building its capacity.
It would mean that there is recognition of the challenges of uneven development and financial viability of most municipalities in the rural areas. The focus should be in enabling Salga to vigorously implement programmes for skills and capacity development for councillors, with enough resources.
The Municipal Demarcation Board is an independent authority with a mandate to determine municipal boundaries, declare district management areas, delimit wards for local elections and assess the capacity of municipalities to perform their functions. The MDB has conducted its work professionally by reducing the number from 1 000 to 278 municipalities currently.
Another critically important contribution of the MDB to our robust democracy is its work on the delimitation of boundaries prior to the democratic elections. The MDB co-operated collectively with the Independent Electoral Commission to bring about well-organised ward boundaries for a credible electoral outcome.
However, the MDB needs to do more in future to encourage public participation in the determination of ward boundaries. It is also important for the board to explain to the members of the public the process of establishing metropolitan municipalities as there are some provinces that do not have municipalities with a metro status.
Ke gopola gore nna le wena Tona ya me e e tlotlegang, re tla dumelana gore Rustenburg kwa Bokone Bophirima e mo maemong a go nna metro. [I believe that my hon Minister and I will agree that Rustenburg in the North West qualifies to be a metropolitan municipality.]
The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities was established in terms of section 185 in Chapter 9 of the Constitution. Its mandate is to promote and protect culture, religion and linguistic rights. The commission's main focus is on conflict resolution research advocacy and community engagements on conflicts pertaining to culture, religion and linguistic rights within the communities.
Taken holistically within the broad mandate of the department, these entities are critical for the promotion of effective intergovernmental relations and co-operation between all spheres of government. Most importantly, they must be seen within the context of nation-building and national cohesion. This is one of the critical missions of the ANC since its formation 100 years ago.
It is a mission that is embedded within the theory of the national democratic revolution, which seeks to achieve a national democratic society, as enshrined in the Freedom Charter and the Constitution of South Africa.
Their respective roles are essentially about ensuring and promoting greater public involvement and participation in matters of governance. The MDB's role is about ensuring that the technical demarcation of boundaries is inclusive, transparent and participatory in respect of communities. The role of the CRL is about the restoration of people's humanity and dignity, which were trampled upon over centuries of colonialism and apartheid.
Mmogo re ka dira go tlala diatla. Mabogo dinku a thebana. Sedikwa ke nt?wa pedi ga se thata. Kgetsi ya tsie e kgonwa ka go tshwaraganelwa. ANC e tshegetsa tekanyetsokabo e. Ke a leboga. [Legofi.](Translation of Setswana paragraph follows.)
[Working together, we can do more. People should help each other. Many hands make light work. The ANC supports this Budget Vote. Thank you. [Applause.]]