DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY ROPES IN EXPERTS TO REVIVE ECONOMY

By Libuseng Nyaka

QWAQWA-Thabo Mofutsanyana district municipality has  outlined progress made towards implementation of the District Development Model which is aimed at addressing inequality , 

In a bid to accelerate implementation of DDM Thabo Mofutsanyana district has since roped in  panel of  experts and  service providers in a bid to bolster economic growth and  unlock job opportunities.

This was disclosed by Thabo Mofutsanyana district municipality Executive Mayor Malefu Vilakzi, during tabling of  budget,  decreased from R4,2 million (2020/21) to R3,6 million in 2021/22, held in a virtual meeting on Monday May 31,2021.

Outlining plans in place to turn around the situation, Vilakazi disclosed that the municipality has appointed a panel of service providers to bolster mobilization of resources in order to accelerate service delivery to the community.

According to  the Mayor, the strategic move is aimed at boosting the budget following the negative impact by covid-19.

“This simply implies that District municipalities rely solely on grants, and these grants are also becoming limited on a yearly basis. This means that all our operations and programs must be financed from the grants received. As a municipality, we have now appointed a panel of service providers who will assist in resource mobilization in order for the municipality to be able to do more for the communities in our area.” Vilakazi added.

She further announced that  by June 2021, the expectation is  to have concluded a process of developing a one plan, which will contain all developmental plans for the district.

“The one plan will outline all projects from sector departments, municipalities, SOE’s, private sector and other developmental institutions to be implemented in the district. Through this plan we will know which projects are planned for our communities, how are they going to be implemented, when are they going to be implemented and their socio-economic impact to the district.”

She said Municipal Manager as the head of the administration will work with her team to continuously ready the institution for successful implementation of this model,  also  workshops will be arranged for all councillors and other stakeholders on this important model.

As for  DDM to be effective, “ we must ensure that our Integrated Government Relation (IGR) structures are functional. I am glad to report that the Technical IGR, under the leadership of the Municipal Manager, is functional.”

She however conceded that  other streams like Chief Financial Officer (CFO)’s forum, Local Economic Development (LED) forum  are not sitting and  only when such forums are functional that  DDM can be implemented smoothly.

Explaining  how the newly adopted  District Development Model (DDM) will operates  Vilakazi said  the aim is to coordinate functions of government as a whole.

“Through this model we will do away with isolated government planning and budgeting. DDM intends to instil a sense of collaboration and intergovernmental coordination during implementation of programmes and projects for more intensified impact.

The One Plan will outline all projects from sector departments, municipalities, SOE’s, private sector and other developmental institutions to be implemented in the district. Through this plan we will know which projects are planned for our communities, how are they going to be implemented, when are they going to be implemented and their socio-economic impact to the district.”

She further said Municipal Manager as the head of the administration will work with her team to continuously ready the institution for successful implementation of this model, and we will also arrange a workshop for all councillors and other stakeholders on this important model. Local Economic Development  have taken a decision to merge the directorates Community Services and LED into one for effectiveness and considering our financial position.

Vilakazi also call on the political forum  to play their oversight role , and monitor the technical implementation.

“The programme of rebuilding and transforming our district economy can never be postponed forever, if we want to add our contribution in the fight against poverty, unemployment and inequality. We must dig deep within ourselves to build a better Thabo Mofutsanyana, and that would require tough sacrifices and move away from our normal way of thinking and of doing things, starting with the way we allocate resources for Development.”

She said  radical socio-economic transformation requires radical mode of thinking and radical shift from the norm, starting with us deliberately investing in the LED.

“ We have appointed a panel of fund mobilization agents, a panel of professionals who will work with the Municipal Manager to analyse our district, identify potential and opportunities, develop business plans and then connect us to possible funding agencies and sources.

This fundraising drive needs us to all have a common vision and purpose. For this initiative to succeed, we must add our part to assist in its success, by making sure that we set aside money for leadership of the Municipality to interact with investors and also have an attractive district investment promotion and incentive strategy as part of our broader LED Strategy.”