Leadership at local government level has failed, no matter how one wishes to paint it. We cannot view what is unfolding as progress.
Everything in life, be it government, business entities, sports teams or even families, begins with leadership. Good political leadership will result in a solid trajectory in which priorities become job creation, community-based projects, revamping of infrastructure, performance agreements and accountable procurement systems.
Anyone who has been unfortunate enough to witness the recent chaos and shambles taking place at municipal meetings ought to hang their heads in shame and express great concern. Instead of exercising leadership and good governance, these politicians exercise anarchy, corruption, vote buying, division and chaos.level has failed, no matter how one wishes to paint it. We cannot view what is unfolding as progress.Given that the majority of our municipalities are bloated and overstaffed, it is no wonder that the budget for salaries far exceeds development and maintenance of infrastructure. It is not too late to turn these sinking ships around.
Salvaging a lost cause or redirecting the failed trajectory of both the national and local government needs to start at the very top. It starts with leadership – something that is very obviously lacking.Our national and local politicians are not lacking in rhetoric, but rhetoric is neither action nor leadership. True leaders take ownership of their failures and work at rectifying them.
To list all of the faults and problems our local governments have created will require many pages of commentary. If South Africa were to adopt a policy where politicians are paid for the meaningful work they do, we will have the poorest politicians in the world.