JOHANNESBURG - South Africans could begin to see changes in municipal service delivery within the next 18 months under a revised local government policy.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to unveil the new White Paper on Local Government in Boksburg on Thursday, as government moves towards a new approach to municipal governance and service delivery.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, along with Cabinet colleagues and other local government stakeholders, is discussing the policy ahead of its official launch.
Hlabisa said the timing is significant, with new municipal councils expected to take office following the November local government elections, including several municipalities likely to be governed through coalition arrangements.
READ | Ramaphosa to unveil revised White Paper on local government
He said the process will begin with the constitution of new councils, followed by an induction programme for councillors in January.
The minister said the first 90 days of the transition will be used to identify key areas requiring change, with the aim of ensuring that the White Paper delivers visible improvements within a relatively short period.
“This is the right timing for the White Paper because we are launching a new approach in the local government space and how services must be delivered, and this comes at a time when we are going to have new councillors.
“We are going to have a 90-day transition period. In the 90 days, we are going to identify key things that must change so that the White Paper can be seen bringing change within a short space of time.
“And thereafter, 18 months, which is one year, six months, in that period, people of South Africa must start to feel the change.”