By voting on Wednesday we can make South Africa better

Dear Fellow South African, 

In two days’ time, on Wednesday 4 November, we will be holding local government elections. This is one of the biggest electoral contests in our country’s democratic history, with 546 parties and nearly 137,000 candidates.

At a time when the political space is narrowing across many parts of the world, democracy in South Africa continues to evolve and mature. We can see this, for example, in the strong participation of women in the electoral process and the proliferation of independent candidates. 

We can be proud that every election since 1994 has been free and fair and that public trust in the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) remains high. 

As a nation we must come together to ensure that the upcoming poll is not marred by acts of violence or intimidation. 

Over the past few months the South African Police Service (SAPS) has been conducting risk assessments, operational planning and simulation exercises. It says that it is ready to ensure voting day takes place peacefully and safely. 

I call on all registered voters to go out to the polling stations on Wednesday because local government is essential to improving the quality of life of citizens. 

Municipalities are responsible for providing most of the services that people need and to which they are entitled by our Constitution. The water, sanitation, electricity and other basic services that municipalities provide are important not only for communities; they are the foundations of a thriving economy.

Businesses invest in areas where services are reliable and affordable, where infrastructure is maintained and which are stable and safe. 

The candidates elected to lead the eight metros, 44 district municipalities and 205 local municipalities will assume office at a time when we are undertaking a bold reset of the entire local government system. 

The new White Paper on Local Government, which was officially launched last month, aims to strengthen the ability of municipalities to fulfil their responsibilities. It proposes a series of reforms across the board to improve efficiency and ensure there is accountability when failures occur.

The priority is placing municipalities on a more sustainable financial footing through stronger financial management, better revenue collection, reducing losses and tighter spending on priorities. One of the most important developments is that revenues from the sale of electricity and water will be ring-fenced to be reinvested in maintaining critical infrastructure. This will ensure that our infrastructure is brought back up to standard. 

A compulsory licensing requirement will also be introduced for all water and electricity providers. This means that all service providers will need to meet minimum standards of competence. Where municipalities are unable to carry out a particular responsibility, this responsibility should be assigned to another sphere or entity that can perform it. 

The White Paper recommends changes to professionalise municipalities and build their administrative capacity. Local government structures must be led and staffed by people appointed for their qualifications and competence. Those responsible must be held to account if public resources are stolen, procurement is manipulated or public duties are neglected.

The shortcomings evident in the current design of our local government system have created space for corruption and patronage. We have seen corrupt local government officials scheme with businesspeople to obtain tenders for services that are sub-standard or not delivered at all. 

Contestations over power and access to resources in local government have contributed to acts of violence, including disruptions of council meetings and the killings of ward candidates, councillors and municipal officials. 

Sadly, what is supposed to be a democratic contest for the opportunity to serve communities has in some cases become a transactional arrangement. Some councillors who are ‘bought’ by businesspeople often put matters of procurement above the needs of our people. 

As government, we are working to put a stop to these practices, but citizens carry an equally important responsibility to ensure that the people they elect are the right ones for the job. 

Municipal failures have contributed to declining public trust and confidence in democratic governance. This election is an opportunity to turn this around and to build local government as an instrument for development. 

The voters of South Africa have an unprecedented breadth of choice of candidates and parties. However we vote on Wednesday, let us strive for better, safer, cleaner and more prosperous communities. Let us vote for progress and development. 

Working together, as an active citizenry, we can make South Africa better. Through our votes, we can help ensure that local government is able to fulfil the promise that our Constitution has made to our people. 

With best regards,

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