Lentswe, Klerksdorp - A People’s Assembly was held in the Auditorium last week as hosted by the Matlosana Municipality. On Wednesday January 24, the Office of Speaker Stella Mondlane was applauded for their role in hosting the assembly. It was attended by various dignitaries, including Executive Mayor, Cllr James Tsolela, the Speaker, the Single Whip of Council, Cllr Khanya Ndincede, the Speaker of Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, Cllr Xolile Nxozana, Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs), Municipal Manager Lesego Seametso, Municipal Senior Officials, Councillors, South African Police Service, Correctional Services, and SALGA.
In his welcoming speech, Cllr Tsolela, encouraged intellectuals to participate in the assembly and direct policy to empower the municipality. Tatlhego Moholoeng, Manager in the Office of the Speaker, outlined the purpose of the People’s Assembly, which is to involve the public of Matlosana in the decision-making processes of the municipality and ensure that local governance is more representative and accountable.
Cllr Nxozana gave a message of support, applauding the City of Matlosana for enga-ging the community in the affairs of the council, as it outlines the Municipal Structure System’s Act and upholds the Constitution.
In her keynote address, the Speaker said that the municipality will not ignore the community’s ills, such as teenage pregnancy, unemployment, and crime.
According to her, platforms like the People’s Assembly are there to ensure that community challenges are addressed and that they find amicable solutions.
She encouraged the community to make inputs in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and assured them that platforms such as this will provide communities with opportunities to learn about their basic rights and most importantly the primary function of the different spheres of government.
Performance Management officials made presentations on the municipal calendar and the IDP. The managers explained how they monitor municipal performance and the allocation and implementation of resources and expenditures.
The IDP is the strategic plan of government institutions for five years. The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) in their presentation outlined the importance of the community in the decision-making process of local municipalities and that SALGA drafts policies and procedures that must be followed by the municipality and councillors, as they are responsible for local government oversight.
