The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) hosted its third annual Municipal Audit Awards at the Premier Hotel OR Tambo in Kempton Park on May 30.
The event celebrated excellence in local governance and municipal management.
The Midvaal Local and West Rand District municipalities emerged as the leading winners in the 2023/24 clean audit category, with several others also recognised.
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Welcoming attendees, SALGA Gauteng chairperson Jangisiswe Dlabathi stressed the importance of legislative reform in local government, citing amendments to the Municipal Systems Act, Municipal Structures Act, and Municipal Property Rates Act through the Local Government General Laws Amendment Bill.
He said the bill aims to fix institutional weaknesses, improve governance processes and bolster mechanisms for ethical and accountable leadership.
He pointed out that no disclaimers were issued in audit opinions during the financial year under review, showing clear progress from past years.
“With gradual progress, we believe that shortly all auditors in the Gauteng province will attain good and sustainable audit outcomes. Our municipalities require leadership at all levels, within councils and administrations.”
He reflected on the broader review of local government policy frameworks, “The 1998 White Paper on Local Government, which set a strong foundation for developmental local government, is undergoing a long-overdue review.
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“This revision aims to address persistent service delivery backlogs, the fiscal viability of municipalities and institutional instability.”
The West Rand District Municipality made significant strides, improving from an unqualified opinion with findings to a clean audit in the past year.
Leading by example, the Midvaal Local Municipality received several awards for achieving more than a decade of clean audits.
In his message, SALGA CEO Sithole Mbanga congratulated municipalities on their commitment to financial sustainability and governance excellence, underscoring that clean audits are only a milestone, not the end goal.
“Improving community lives remains our primary mission. The White Paper review is a chance to reimagine local government. Excellence is a collective effort. It’s not just about mayors or city managers, but about layered, capable leadership.”
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Mbanga called the Municipal Audit Awards a testament to the commitment of local government leaders, elected and appointed alike.
“We all have a responsibility to seize the opportunities presented by government as practitioners in local government, to reimagine and re-engineer the second generation of democratic local governance,” he said.
He also reiterated that SALGA’s mandate is to represent, promote and protect the interests of local government as an equal sphere of governance in SA.
“By recognising municipalities that excelled in audit outcomes during the past financial year, we celebrate their achievements and inspire others to strive for similar, or even greater, success.”
He added that the awards serve as a strategic tool to boost the image and confidence of municipalities in Gauteng and nationwide.
“We seek to honour those who dedicate their abilities to serving with determination and integrity and who are committed to ensuring municipal success.”
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In his keynote address, SALGA president Bheke Stofile praised municipal progress and called for unified efforts to strengthen local government. He urged municipalities to confront the challenges of clean governance, efficient service delivery, and collaborative leadership.
“Investment follows stability, cleanliness and accountability. It is our responsibility to work together as a government, not to compete or operate in silos, but to respond collectively to the challenges facing our people.”
Stofile highlighted the urgent need to revise the local government funding model, calling on leaders to take the opportunity to build a system that better supports communities.
“Let’s not be silent about our successes. Growing from 30 clean audits to 41 is the story of a local government rising.”
He congratulated the winning municipalities and encouraged more unity and collaboration.
“Let us support one another, learn from one another and help each other rise. Negative stories about local government often dominate the narrative, but we must also tell and celebrate the good stories.”
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, MEC for Finance and Economic Development Lebogang Maile, oversight bodies, and a range of public sector stakeholders attended the event.
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Lesufi commended the joint efforts of municipalities to improve audit outcomes.
“I add my voice in acknowledging the work done. But the reality is, we are honourable only if we act.”
He warned that the next few months would be critical for local government’s credibility.
“If we can’t turn the corner in the next five months, our claim to lead this government will be challenged. If we can’t deliver, our presence becomes meaningless.”
Lesufi referred to the 13 key challenges identified during the State of the Province Address, including water shortages, cable theft, potholes, broken traffic lights, and the growth of informal settlements.
“We live in a province where crime has become brazen, where armed individuals with bodyguards walk into public spaces without fear. No municipality or province can fight crime alone.”
He called for collective action.
“We must pool all our resources to confront this danger. I we fail to act, we fail in our responsibility to the people. None of us should walk away claiming ignorance or inaction.”
