The government is “seriously exploring the need” to have a single election for national, provincial and local government, President Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday.
“In this way, we will have one financial year, a single public service, a common five-year medium-term planning, as well as aligned human resource and budgeting frameworks,” he told the National Assembly during debate on his budget vote.
The local government turnaround strategy would help restore the confidence of citizens in municipalities.
“They are key institutions through which government will improve the lives of our people.
“Our focus on local government is part of a broader campaign to improve efficiency in government and to build a performance-oriented developmental state,” he said.
Substantial progress
It was for this reason that the performance monitoring and evaluation and national planning functions were established in the Presidency.
Substantial progress had been made by the two ministries.
Last Thursday, the National Planning Commission released its first set of outputs, a diagnostic document analysing the key problems in fighting poverty and inequality.
The report formed the basis for a national dialogue on how to fix the problems raised in the report.
“We call on South Africans from all walks of life and from all organised formations to contribute to the development of a national plan for the country.
“Only with the support and active participation of all South Africans can we work towards a truly united, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous society.”
The performance monitoring and evaluation department had been keeping track of the implementation of the ministerial performance and delivery agreements, including the local government outcome, Zuma said. — Sapa