Deputy Minister Masemola Launches ‘Every Municipality Must Work’ Visits in E Cape

Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Dr Namane Dickson Masemola, is spearheading a critical phase of the national “Every Municipality Must Work” initiative with scheduled accountability and support meetings in the Eastern Cape. Over two days—Wednesday and Thursday—Masemola will engage with Mayors and councillors from Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and Makana Local Municipality, aiming to reinforce governance, expedite service delivery, and enhance accountability in these key local government structures.

Driving Improved Governance Through Targeted Support

This initiative forms part of a broader national drive to revive municipal performance amid persistent challenges facing local governments across South Africa. Deputy Minister Masemola will be accompanied by the Eastern Cape MEC for CoGTA, Zolile Williams, as they lead discussions focused on addressing service delivery backlogs and institutional inefficiencies.

Central to the visit is the rollout of a tailored support package for Buffalo City Metro, which has faced operational difficulties impacting its ability to fulfill constitutional mandates. The support package is designed to bolster the municipality’s institutional capacity, improve administrative and financial management, and ensure consistent delivery of basic services to communities.

“These engagements are aligned with the implementation of the District Development Model (DDM), a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach that fosters cooperative governance and integrated planning to accelerate development and service delivery,” the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs said in an official statement.

Emphasizing Integrated Planning and Accountability

The “Every Municipality Must Work” programme is anchored on principles of accountability, transparency, and participatory governance. By engaging municipal leadership directly, the Deputy Minister seeks to instill a culture of responsibility that prioritizes the needs of residents and restores public trust in local government.

As part of efforts to strengthen co-governance, the Deputy Minister will also convene a follow-up meeting with the Makana Concern Group. This civil society organization plays a pivotal role in representing community interests, ensuring that public voices remain central to municipal decision-making and oversight.

Building on Past Successes and Broader National Efforts

This latest engagement builds on momentum from previous accountability visits, including the recent intergovernmental engagement led by Deputy Minister Masemola with the Emfuleni Local Municipality in Gauteng. The Emfuleni initiative highlighted the effectiveness of collaborative interventions involving multiple government tiers to address complex municipal challenges.

The national “Every Municipality Must Work” initiative is part of South Africa’s broader strategy to improve local government functionality, reduce service delivery protests, and enhance economic development. The programme complements existing frameworks such as the District Development Model, which promotes coordination across spheres of government and greater integration of resources.

Community-Centered Governance

Recognizing that sustainable municipal progress requires active citizen participation, Deputy Minister Masemola’s engagements emphasize transparency and open dialogue with communities. Encouraging public involvement through forums such as the Makana Concern Group ensures that government actions reflect community priorities and helps foster a shared commitment to development goals.

Outlook and Future Plans

As the Eastern Cape visits unfold, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs will monitor progress closely, evaluating the impact of support interventions and identifying areas for further assistance. These engagements are expected to serve as a blueprint for similar accountability visits planned across other provinces, reinforcing the government’s resolve to ensure every municipality operates effectively.

Deputy Minister Masemola’s leadership in these efforts underscores a renewed focus on accountability and service excellence at the municipal level—foundational elements for advancing inclusive growth and social equity in South Africa’s diverse communities.