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Premier Mama Action in top gear
13 November 2009 By Keotshepile wa Mogotsi SHE is one of the leading female politicians in South Africa, who will make you sit up and listen, and her reputation has spread well beyond the confines of her discipline. Nomvula Mokonyane’s nickname, Mama Action, comes from her time as the provincial housing MEC, when she always chose to spend time with residents of informal settlements rather than sit behind the well-polished desk in her office. Over the years, her name has become a political touchstone, familiar to everyone in the townships of Gauteng, from the dusty streets of Tembisa to the restive Merafong. Wherever she goes, Mokonyane’s actions drive one to reflect on the adage “practice what you preach”. The words service delivery are not only on her tongue, but are also in her hands. As premier she has urged political leaders and government officials to go back to the basics and spend time with the electorate. Indeed, a series of service delivery protests and the increasingly shaky trust between the government and the people has compelled leaders of the ruling party to go back to the drawing board and to look at the challenges that are faced by the government.Conference
Mokonyane’s Office did just that and recently - on 10 November - called MECs, mayors, councillors and other top government officials to a two-day Intergovernmental Relations Conference held at Misty Hills Country Hotel, in Muldersdrift, Mogale City.
The key objective of the conference was to develop a common understanding of the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act and its implications for provincial development and growth strategies. It also identified key stakeholders and clarified their roles in the co-ordination of intergovernmental relations in the province.
Another objective was to define the province-wide agenda on intergovernmental forums and to develop a strategy on monitoring and evaluation of these forums.
In her presentation, Mokonyane struck a chord with politicians, most of whom were escorted by a phalanx of bodyguards to do what they had to do not what they liked to do.
“The series of strikes we see in our country are simply saying to us that we should go back and spend time with our electorates. We must change our priorities and reprioritise what our people want – basic services, water, electricity, food security and housing,” she said.
Among those politicians who took note of the premier’s heavy statements were Mogale City Executive Mayor Koketso Seerane; West Rand District Mayor Faith Matshikiza; Tshwane Mayor Gwen Ramokgopa; local government and housing MEC Kgaogelo Lekgoro; and mayors from Randfontein, Merafong and Carletonville, among others.
Co-operation
It was agreed that effective intergovernmental relations required a culture of co-operation and mutual respect, including recognition of the need for regular consultation and interaction with a sense of partnership between all spheres of government.
Chapter three of the Constitution also refers to the principles and practice of co-operative government.
Mokonyane looked at the provision of a systematic framework for how governance was managed in a decentralised system. This framework had to support the constitutional requirement that the three spheres of government, including municipalities, must help and support each other, consult on matters of national interest and co-ordinate their actions.
Mama Action reiterated that municipalities should not compete but should reprioritise and align with provincial priorities based on the 2009 ANC Manifesto. Among Gauteng’s key priorities she emphasized were the creation of decent work and building a growing, inclusive economy; promoting quality education and skills development; better health care for all; stimulating rural development and food security; and intensifying the fight against crime and corruption.
However, new challenges showed that intergovernmental relations should move beyond theory to focus on service delivery and meeting people’s needs. By this, municipalities and all spheres of government were forced to espouse co-operative governance based on a shared vision.
During her hour-long presentation, Mokonyane lambasted those municipalities that needed to be reminded of small things such as refuse collection and removal. “Refuse removal is a little thing that we do not want to talk about here in such meetings; please let’s address it,” she said.
Reprioritisation
On the reprioritisation of services, the premier appealed to government departments to devise new methods to manage government activities and take advantage of crises to create opportunities. She also posed questions around the prioritisation of services and asked: “If Gauteng produces the best clean water, why buy bottled water? When municipalities have a department of marketing and communications, why are the municipal functions being managed by consultants? Why do we have to pay for the promotion of Mzekezeke’s CD when our people lack basic services?”
She added: “We will lose friends in private companies but will win the integrity for our people.”
Also at the conference were representatives of the South African Local Government Association, or Salga, who touched on the implementation of the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act, and challenges and opportunities.
Lekgoro outlined the objectives and desired outcomes of the conference.
On the second day of the conference, resolutions and a way forward were discussed. Municipalities, including West Rand, Johannesburg, Tshwane Ekurhuleni, Metsweding and Sedibeng, then gave regional perspectives on intergovernmental relations theory, practice and implementation.
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 Premier Nomvula Mokonyane addresses officials and politicians at the two day conference
West Rand District Mayor Faith Matshikiza and Randfontein Mayor Zepho Mhlongo
Related stories Daughter of Kagiso becomes premiert Mokonyane sworn in Thousands of houses on the cards Housing MEC brings gifts to Mogale MEC urges hard work
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