Rand West City Local Municipality’s (RWCLM) interim municipal manager Larry Steyn intends to improve the financial state of the municipality, which will ultimately improve service delivery in town.
Steyn, 62, was appointed in May subsequent to the suspension of municipal manager Themba Goba following charges of corruption earlier this year.
“Council resolved that I be appointed as an acting municipal manager for a period of three months. The period has now been extended with one month until September 20,” Steyn said.
In 1981, Steyn started working at the then Randfontein Local Municipality as an administrative officer Grade II and progressed through the ranks to Director: Corporate Support Services in 2014.
“After Randfontein and Westonaria merged in August 2016, I was appointed as Chief Operations Officer which is the position I still hold at RWCLM,” Steyn said.
Asked about the MM position, Steyn explained that a municipal manager is appointed by council as head of municipal administration and the accounting officer of the institution.
“The municipal manager therefore is the primary interface between the political structures and the administrative side of the municipality.”
He said one of the attributes an MM should have is leadership skills, but warns that a municipality is a complex organisation that’s broadly divided into two spheres, i.e. political and administrative. He added that besides leadership skills, the incumbent needs excellent managerial skills.
“You also need to be able to know and understand the legal framework governing this sphere of government to navigate your way through all the complexities that present themselves from day to day,” Steyn explained.
He said as a municipal manager, he would like to cultivate an environment where consumers and officials know their roles and responsibilities, and are able to work together work towards solving the financial problems local government is facing.
However, he admitted that a working environment plagued by financial problems may present challenges when it comes to services delivery.
Steyn said he was grateful that he had worked and interacted with colleagues with varying skills sets who had helped to shape his perspective and contributed to his growth as a public servant.
“Many outstanding administrators had helped to mentor me and hone my skills in local government management. To them I will be forever thankful,” Steyn said.
