IN an effort by local government associations and government departments to better the lives of ordinary people and deliver quality services, councillors are set to undergo an intensive five-day Integrated Councillor Induction Programme (ICIP).
This was announced by Alvin Botes, MEC for the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) in the Northern Cape, at a press conference held at the CoGHSTA provincial office in Kimberley on Thursday (18/08).
The capacity-building programme was developed thanks to CoGHSTA, the South African Local Government Association, the National School of Government, the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA) and the Auditor General’s office.
According to Botes, 382 councillors will convene in Upington from 29 August to 2 September to undergo the programme.
The event is expected to be addressed by Sylvia Lucas, premier of the Northern Cape.
Botes said the ICIP is a curriculum divided into five modules, covering municipal issues ranging from municipal governance to municipal finance and management, coupled with skills, knowledge and competencies needed by councillors in executing their duties.
“The modules encapsulate the following: municipal governance, policy and legislation, municipal procedures, municipal planning and strategy, the Municipal Finance Management Act, municipal performance and accountability and the role of the Auditor General,” said Botes.
Botes responded to a question on whether the municipalities held by the opposition would conform to the programme.
“The back-to-basics approach remains a strategic compass which is driven by putting people first and delivering basic services, good governance, sound financial management, as well as building capacity.
“CoGHSTA, with its sector stakeholders, will unabatedly continue to support municipalities to reach service delivery climax.”
Botes mentioned that the once-off gratuity payment to non-returning councillors would be effected.
The payment will be based on three months of their last-earned salary, and on a sliding scale, depending on the time spent in office.
“The longer a councillor was in office, the greater will be the gratuity.”
