Mayor Bahula elected to SALGA NEC
JANE FURSE – Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality Mayor, Minah Bahula has been elected to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), representing Limpopo province.
SALGA concluded its three-day provincial conference on 5 February 2022 which was held in Polokwane to elect new Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) members.
The members are expected to advance the objectives of developmental agenda of local government that will equally translate into service delivery.
The conference had also made a reflection on how best could leaders adequately capacitate themselves and reflect on issues confronting the local sphere of government.
Called under the theme “Creating Financially Sustainable Municipalities”, the conference also congratulated and gave recognition to its outgoing leadership for their esteemed role and excellent service during their tenure as SALGA PEC members, which Mayor Bahula has been part of for the past five years.
A program of action was adopted for the road ahead aimed at improving efficiency, growth and performance for the betterment of local communities.
The conference deliberated on how well resourced were the municipalities in the province, and whether they were financially capable to sustain themselves beyond financial aid and from developmental grants and also interventions made by the organization on the state of local government.
Other topical local government issues deliberated upon were the District Development Model (DDM) which deals with strategic collaborative efforts that seek to allow and improve all spheres of government to coordinate and integrate their developmental plans and budgets.
The conference ended with conversations around the organization’s reports, constitutional amendments and the election of the new PEC leadership and their additionals that are expected to take the new mandate forward.
Bahula said she was delighted to have served the people of Limpopo in the PEC for the past five years and that having been part of the collective and entrusted with championing the interests of councilors welfare, governance and IGR portfolio, she could only hope that strategic policies they have developed over the years would go a long way in changing the face of local government.
“Equally the road ahead, although I am still to be sworn in as NEC member, I plan to contribute immensely to the strategic priorities agreed upon and policies that are aimed at strengthening the capacity of local government that will enable the delivery of services and develop our people. I am looking forward to the new mandate bestowed upon me, and I remain very greatful,” said Bahula.
