President Ramaphosa spoke at the JET Municipal Conference about the crucial role of South African municipalities in the country’s energy transition towards lowcarbon development. He emphasized the need to lessen reliance on carbonheavy energy production, diversify energy sources, and stimulate economic growth while fulfilling the country’s commitment to combat climate change. Municipalities were identified as key players in providing clean, affordable energy and facilitating decarbonization efforts. The speech also addressed challenges surrounding municipal debt owed to Eskom and the need for infrastructure upgrades and expansion.
Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality in South Africa’s Eastern Cape is facing a major financial and operational crisis that has caught the attention of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. The municipality is struggling with debt, financial regulation noncompliance, and inaccurate job grading. However, the South African Local Government Association is optimistic about the municipality’s recovery and supports the implementation of a Financial Recovery Plan. Despite the challenges, the potential exists for a stronger financial management system and a positive transformation for this historic municipality.
South Africa is facing a severe water crisis with twothirds of the country’s watersupplying municipalities unable to provide clean drinking water to their inhabitants. Efforts to resolve the issue are hindered by bureaucratic red tape, leaving the Department of Water and Sanitation unable to directly address the problem. The proposed Water Services Amendment Bill aims to give the department the power to issue orders to noncompliant municipalities, but doubts remain about its potential impact. The department has filed criminal cases against polluting municipalities, but harsher punitive measures may be needed to ensure compliance.
In a recent session led by Nono Maloyi, the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs, South African municipalities gathered to address crucial progress reports on service delivery and infrastructure grants spending. This special session witnessed the attendance of Mayors, Municipal Managers, Chief Financial Officers, and other stakeholders, reflecting the urgency to improve service delivery in local communities.
South Africa is currently facing an energy crisis that has led to extended power outages in the form of Stage 6 blackouts lasting for 810 hours a day. To make matters worse, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has revealed that protocols for Stage 9 loadshedding and beyond are being finalized, a development the party describes as “nothing short of horrifying.”
The City of Cape Town recently held a housing consumer education session for firsttime homeowners in the Dido Valley housing project. The Session aimed to empower beneficiaries with knowledge of their roles and responsibilities as new homeowners. ### Topics Covered in the Session