The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) emphasizes the critical role of communication in addressing revenue collection challenges, preventing service delivery protests, and building trust with communities.
Effective communication between municipalities and the public is crucial for addressing revenue collection challenges and preventing service delivery protests, according to the South African Local Government Association ( SALGA ). SALGA emphasized this point during its 8th National Communicators Forum, where best practices in local government communication were shared.
SALGA acknowledged the widespread challenges of revenue collection and the escalating municipal debt crisis affecting all municipalities and citizens across the country. With 257 municipalities in South Africa, the organization highlighted the urgent need for improved communication strategies. Deputy President of SALGA, Councillor Xola Pakati, underlined the rapidly evolving media landscape, driven by the speed of digital platforms. He stressed that communicators serve as the bridge between municipalities and the people, but this rapid pace also presents risks. Pakati warned that false narratives and sensational stories can quickly spread, undermining the positive work municipalities are doing. He pointed to declining trust in local government and inconsistent community engagement, sometimes disrupted by political dynamics. Pakati also addressed the challenges posed by the upcoming local government elections, emphasizing the importance of clear communication to prevent service delivery protests fueled by misinformation.Pakati stated that proactive communication can help alleviate many service delivery issues. Leading discussions, SALGA Chief of Operations, Lance Joel, focused on targeted interventions, strategic partnerships, and innovative solutions to restore financial sustainability within local government. Rabelani Tshikalance from SALGA highlighted the negative impact of extreme climate events, such as droughts and heavy rainfall, on municipalities and communities. He emphasized the need for municipalities to integrate climate change considerations into their policies and integrated development plans.Sisa Msiwa of Amathole District Municipality shared their successful experience in managing and mitigating climate change challenges through partnerships with local communities and traditional leaders.Desmond D’Sa, the coordinator of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), spoke about the importance of communication in avoiding frustrated communities, particularly in the context of recent fires and industrial pollution in Durban. He criticized the lack of clear communication during previous warehouse fires and environmental disasters, leaving communities frustrated and uninformed. He urged municipalities to prioritize community engagement, provide prompt alerts, and invest in communication technologies that address the needs of residents.At a recent EThekwini Municipality Executive Committee (Exco) meeting, city manager Musa Mbhele stressed the need to improve communication with residents regarding water crises and power outages. He acknowledged the growing impatience of communities during prolonged service disruptions and emphasized the importance of transparent and timely communication
COMMUNICATION MUNICIPALITIES SOUTH AFRICA SALGA SERVICE DELIVERY REVENUE COLLECTION CLIMATE CHANGE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
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