By Anastasi Mokgobu.
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa believes restoring credibility in municipalities hinges on addressing corruption and rebuilding trust with communities.
Hlabisa delivered the closing address following two days deliberations at the 2025 Local Government Indaba, held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.
The event was attended by over 2,000 delegates, including municipal managers, councillors, traditional leaders, policy experts, civil society representatives, and government officials.
“Every municipality must take seriously and develop a plan to confront trust deficit and corruption to change the negative image of the local government system,” the minister said.
“We carry a heavy responsibility upon our shoulders to ensure that trust deficit and corruption become key issues that we confront in our municipalities.”
Hlabisa highlighted that the recommendations from the indaba would inform several key legislative reforms.
These include the Coalitions Bill, the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Bill, and the review of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government.
He assured delegates that their contributions would be considered in finalising these legislative pieces before the next local government elections.
“All the contributions that you made that will impact these critical pieces of legislation were recorded accordingly, and will be taken into account when these pieces of legislation are finalised,” said Hlabisa.
Over the two-day indaba, delegates engaged in discussions about the current state of local government, focusing on issues such as governance instability, administrative capacity gaps, financial constraints, spatial inequalities, and service delivery challenges.
Hlabisa acknowledged these challenges but also highlighted the potential for positive change.
“Over these past two days, we have interrogated the current realities of our municipalities… But alongside these challenges, we have also witnessed the wealth of innovation, commitment, and the potential that exists within our sector,” he noted.
A recurring theme during the indaba was the concept of the “ideal municipality.”
Hlabisa described this as a municipality that provides basic services ensuring a quality of life and dignity for its residents, fosters a growing economy, and offers access to health, education, and recreational facilities.
“If we can be able to champion this concept of an ideal municipality, the outcry amongst the people of South Africa will come to an end, and the image of our municipality will once again be restored,” he emphasised.
Hlabisa stressed the importance of depoliticising administration, strengthening accountability mechanisms, professionalising leadership, and ensuring effective citizen partnership.
He emphasised that these are practical imperatives that will determine whether local governments can deliver services efficiently, manage public resources responsibly, and foster trust among communities.
“These are not abstract ideals, but practical imperatives that will determine whether our local governments can deliver services efficiently, manage public resources responsibly, and foster trust among communities,” he said.
The minister highlighted that local challenges are interconnected and cannot be addressed in isolation.
He advocated for collaborative approaches, knowledge sharing, and evidence-based policymaking as central to achieving long-term impact.
“We must continue to harness these partnerships, not only within government, but across sectors, communities, and institutions, to build a local government system that is responsive, agile, accountable, and resilient,” said Hlabisa.
He added, “Let us ensure that every South African citizen, irrespective of their location or background, has access to essential services, economic opportunities, and a voice in shaping the future of their communities.”