Madam Deputy Speaker, I hope that the same message is going to be conveyed to the IFP-led municipalities because when the national or provincial government comes, they resist. They say: "This is our territory and we can't allow the ANC to come here; we want to run these things on our own." We would be happy if the same issues that are raised at this level are taken to the ground so that your message sinks in with your members in municipalities.
However, having said that, the issue of building capacity is what we are focusing on. We have been involved in an audit of skills across South Africa so that we know where to intervene and where not to. We have taken a decision through the Local Government Turnaround Strategy that municipalities must have at least six positions: the municipal manager, the chief financial officer, the town planner, the town engineer, a person who deals with communication, and a person who deals with human resources. The intention is to ensure that we address these ills and shortage of skills in municipalities so that delivery can happen and there is an improvement in our people's lives. Thank you very much.
Position regarding inclusion of terms of turnaround strategy in municipal budgets 79. Mr S L Tsenoli (ANC) asked the Minister for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs: [Standing over in terms of Rule 115]
Whether his department has assessed if municipal budgets included the terms of the turnaround strategy; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NO2513E