City leaders advised to watch their backs

Gallery Video

HESSEQUA NEWS - Hold on tight to your integrity and always make copies of council resolutions. This is some of the advice city and town leaders from all over the country received during the eleventh National Municipal Managers Forum held at Fancourt on 31 August - 1 September.

Convened by the South African Local Government Association (Salga), the two-day forum provides a platform for reflections and learning through the sharing of practices and experience.

A key speaker on the discussion panel, the Bergrivier Municipal Manager, Adv. Hanlie Linde, reminded attendees of the importance of staying true to themselves: "Don't ever lose your integrity, because no one can give it back to you," said Linde.

Another speaker, former Buffalo City Municipal Manager Andile Fani, said he learned a valuable lesson when he headed the local municipality of Buffalo City: "Keep copies of all your council resolutions," said Fani.

Click here to view a photo gallery.

"One day, when you least expect it, you are going to need it. Having said that, I enjoyed working in local government."

Universal challenges faced by municipal managers were highlighted during various discussions. Among those listed are inadequate funding for projects, political immaturity of politicians, clarity on the exact role of a municipal manager and a mayor, problems with the procurement of services and an excessive interest by politicians in tender processes, which is a purely administrative function.

See video below:

Cederberg Municipal Manager Louis Volschenk said it was a relief to hear the other municipal managers talk about familiar challenges.