Leadership development within local government is compulsory - SALGA CEO

SALGA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Sithole Mbanga said at the core of professionalising local government is leadership development that is aimed at achieving visible impact and transforming municipal spaces. He was speaking at a Wits School of Governance, Executive Education Graduation Ceremony.

Full speech:

As South African Local Government Association (SALGA), we are honoured to speak at this auspicious occasion to formally recognise the achievements of the cohort of local government leaders who participated in the Municipal Finance Programme and the Leadership in Municipal Governance Programme, respectively. 

This ceremony serves as a testament to the diligence, dedication, and commitment demonstrated by municipal leaders who strive for excellence. It emphasises the preparedness of municipal leaders, encompassing both administrative and political segments, to transform local government and enhance service delivery by acquiring relevant knowledge through professional development.  We, therefore, extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who made this day possible through their hard work. 

I have been requested to provide a concise reflection on the topic of 'Professionalising Local Government Through Leadership Development' as the CEO of SALGA. Without any doubt, municipal leadership development remains central to SALGA’s mandate of capacity building and transformation of local government. SALGA  has a mammoth task of working with municipalities to find tangible and lasting solutions that will help build capable and reputable local government. 
Professionalism in local government goes beyond qualifications and titles. It involves fostering a culture of excellence, integrity, and accountability in how we serve our communities and lead municipalities.

At the core of professionalising local government is leadership development that is aimed at achieving visible impact and transforming municipal spaces. When we invest in cultivating our municipal leaders, we equip them with the skills, knowledge, and ethical principles necessary to manage public resources responsibly, make informed decisions, and implement policies effectively. Essentially, municipalities should not be dysfunctional when leaders are adequately equipped and empowered. Professionalised leadership ensures that local government operates efficiently and transparently, grounded in ethical standards that build public trust, alongside a commitment to continuous learning, adapting to new legislation, technologies, and mastering the art of addressing diverse community needs.
Furthermore, professional and empowered leaders create environments where staff feel motivated and supported to perform at their best, and where there is clarity regarding the administrative and political interface at municipal level. 

Recently, SALGA developed the Professionalisation Framework for Local Government. This framework emphasises that leadership development remains a vital part of professionalising local government, as it builds capacity, improves governance, and promises effective service delivery. It underscores the importance of targeted leadership programmes to boost competence, uphold ethical standards, and enhance institutional performance.

We strongly believe that professionalising local government through leadership development strengthens the entire local government ecosystem, making it responsive, resilient, and capable of accelerating good governance and community development. Only through strong, ethical, and professionalised leadership can we effectively tackle issues such as poverty, inequality, infrastructure backlogs, and service delivery failures. Local government leadership development increases competence and resilience. Ladies and gentlemen, today I want to affirm a straightforward yet vital truth: leadership development within local government is not optional; it is essential and compulsory.
 

Leadership development 

In a world marked by rapid change, complex service delivery demands, climate risks, economic pressures, and evolving community needs, the competence and resilience of our municipalities rest upon the strength of capable political and administrative leadership. When we invest in leadership development, we empower councillors, municipal managers, directors, and other officials with the skills, knowledge, and mindsets needed to navigate complex challenges with agility and foresight. This is not merely about individual growth; it concerns institutional strength to deliver and govern effectively. Competence entails having leaders who understand governance frameworks, financial management, integrated planning, public participation, and ethical decision-making. It also involves having leaders who foster innovation, uphold accountability, and provide quality and sustainable services. We must take decisive measures to improve the current negative profile of local government and rebuild public confidence in our sector.
Resilience means having leaders who remain steadfast in times of crisis – whether it is natural disasters, budget constraints, service protests, or technological disruptions. It means having leaders who adapt quickly, recover effectively, and guide their teams and communities through uncertainty towards sustainable solutions. Service excellence should be a daily practice; not just because local government elections are imminent, for example.
Ultimately, leadership development promotes a culture of continuous learning, strategic thinking, and collaborative action, empowering our municipalities not only to survive but also to thrive in fulfilling their constitutional mandate to improve the lives of all citizens.
Over the years, SALGA has been collaborating with LGSETA and the Wits School of Governance to develop tailored capacity-building programmes, such as Municipal Governance and Municipal Finance, from which you are graduating today.
 

Why Municipal Governance and Municipal Finance Capacity Building Programmes are Important for Local Government?

Today’s graduation is a testament to the significant milestones achieved by our approximately 120 graduands, who are truly worth celebrating. You are part of the senior leaders in local government who have pledged to embrace good governance that is transformative, inclusive, ethical, and service delivery-oriented.
I am pleased to share the high-level summary of the diverse cohorts graduating this morning, which is a collaborative effort between SALGA, Wits School of Governance, and LGSETA to promote municipal leadership development and professionalised local government.
a)    Leadership in Municipal Governance Cohort
The programme is offered as a professional certificate which carries 25 Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points accredited by the SA Board for People Practices (SABPP). It was designed and developed in consultation with SALGA and LGSETA to address capacity gaps for senior leaders in local government.
Today’s graduating cohort is the last from a group of 155 students who have enrolled in the programme, funded by the LGSETA. Through the LGSETA-funded programme, we have graduated over 100 local government leaders, including SALGA NEC members and Chairpersons of Working Groups. The group includes both officials and councillors.
b)    Municipal Finance Management Cohort
The Municipal Finance Management Certificate course is an NQF Level 6 occupational qualification accredited by LGSETA and SAQA. The certificate programme is a mandatory requirement by National Treasury for senior managers in local government. This course is one of the most sought-after executive programmes, consistently attracting numerous applicants each year across the country. Students who complete the programme at Wits School of Governance receive a Certificate of Competence.
 

To this end, strong municipal governance and sound financial management form the foundation of an effective and efficient local government system. This will ensure that municipalities can competently fulfil their constitutional mandate. In this context, training in municipal governance equips leaders and officials with a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. It enhances their knowledge of legislative frameworks, ethical governance, integrated development planning, and effective decision-making processes. When applied in practice, it ensures that municipalities operate within the law, uphold accountability, maintain transparency, and foster public trust.
 

Additionally, municipal finance training is essential because effective financial management is crucial to delivering efficient and effective services. The training programmes enhance skills in budgeting, revenue management, financial reporting, and audit compliance. This should result in better financial planning, a reduction in irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure, and improved audit outcomes, which are crucial for strengthening investor and public confidence.
Together, governance and finance training programmes empower leaders to:
•    Make informed decisions based on sound financial principles and legal requirements.
•    Prioritise resources effectively to meet community needs.
•    Strengthen institutional performance by ensuring sustainable service delivery.
•    Prevent corruption and mismanagement by promoting transparency and accountability.
Ladies and gentlemen, without these capacity-building programmes, municipalities will continue to face challenges such as poor audit outcomes, service delivery backlogs, financial crisis, and eroded public confidence.

In conclusion, it is essential to emphasise that investing in these training programmes is crucial for our efforts to professionalise local government, strengthen organisational capacity, and ensure that municipalities remain responsive, resilient, and capable of achieving the developmental local government goals and outcomes. As leaders in the sector, let us commit to continuous learning and professional development because the future of our communities depends on competent and ethical leadership. Additionally, the ongoing review of the 1998 Local Government White Paper offers an opportunity to propose definitive policy frameworks that will strengthen professionalisation of local government. All municipal leaders are encouraged to support and participate in the review of the 1998 White Paper, as it will shape and propose a new local government system that is innovative, sustainable, well-governed and people-centred.
SALGA, in collaboration with its partners, will continue to lead efforts to enhance capacity building within local government. We are fully committed to supporting municipalities in improving governance and service delivery while recognising current examples of service delivery achievements in various municipalities. 
To the newly qualified graduates, we say – As you leave today, you will be joining other groups of municipal leaders renowned for their credibility, competence, and commitment towards improving their respective municipalities. Maintaining resilience and upholding high ethical standards in serving your communities are vital elements of successful municipal administration. You should aim to deliver municipal services effectively and diligently, accelerate transformation, and build better communities by promoting inclusivity, equity, good governance, and excellence in service delivery. In doing so, you will ensure that no one is left behind.