SECUNDA – Mr Cyril Gwiji, Speaker of the Govan Mbeki Municipality Council, reminded Council about the Back to Basics programme.
He said this programme should be of highest priority as Mr Jacob Zuma has instructed.
It is aimed at transforming the performance of municipalities from mediocre, in many cases, to excellent, and of ensuring that efficient municipalities remain that way.
He said the transformation of the local government sector remains a priority for the current administration and it is also crystal clear on the current National Development Plan.
“Back to Basics is the programme for change.
“It requires us to ensure that we go back to our communities to interact with them in order to provide them with excellent basic services.
“It is established that we have done enormous progress in giving services to our people, but at the same time it is clear that we have not done enough in the previously disadvantaged communities and that has caused frustration that has led to so-called service delivery protests.”
Mr Gwiji said putting people first and engaging with communities, delivery of basic services, good governance, sound financial management and building and maintaining sound institutional and administrative capabilities are key guidelines in implementing the Back to Basics programme.
“The basic measures to be monitored are the existence of the required number of functional ward committees, the number of effective public participation programmes conducted by Council and regular community satisfaction surveys.
“Together we can build a strong community base through the Back to Basics programme.’’
