USAID Supports Stronger Municipalities

23 Municipalities in five South African provinces will soon benefit from a new US $4 million (approximately R 24 million*) program to improve municipal performance and increase revenue.  The program is funded by the people of the United States through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).  According to acting USAID Director, Denise Rollins, “the program we are launching tonight will encourage municipalities to form partnerships with their constituencies.  Officials will learn how to do their jobs well, earning greater respect and support from local people.”  

This program forms part of the South African Department of Provincial and Local Government’s “Project Consolidate”, an initiative to provide hand-on assistance to local governments.   It will be launched on Monday evening, April 11, at Caesar’s Hotel in Johannesburg, with USAID Deputy Director Denise Rollins representing the United States.   

Since 1998, USAID has worked with the Department of Provincial and Local Government on a series of initiatives known as the Local Governance Support Program (LGSP).  The overall LGSP agreement is funded at $20 million (approximately R 120 million).  The new phase of the program to be launched April 11 will run from 2005 to 2007.  The 23 municipalities are located in Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the North West.    

The emphasis will be on a “learning by doing” approach, through the following activities:

• An improved communication strategy will enable citizens to realize their civic duty to pay for the municipal services they consume.
• Municipalities will also communicate more effectively with each other via a website to share best practices.
• Training courses such as strategic planning, procurement, local economic development, and financial management, will enable municipalities to function more effectively, transparently and accountably.
• Partners will include universities, local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and consulting firms.

USAID is pleased to have been a partner of the South African Department of Provincial and Local Government over the years, providing support through technical assistance, training, and individualized direct assistance to municipalities.  The program will be administered through local partners and RTI International, a leading global development research organization.  

For further information, please contact: Ms. Reverie Zurba, USAID, 012-452-2000

*Exchange rate of US$1 to SAR 6,00