Launch of the Local Governance Support Program (LGSP)
Assistance to 23 Municipalities
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Denise Rollins, Acting USAID Mission Director--Remarks
Deputy Minister;
Director General of the Department of Provincial and Local Government;
Members of Parliament;
Premiers, MECs, Mayors, Councillors;
Municipal Managers;
Partners in “Project Consolidate”;
Media;
Ladies and Gentlemen:
It gives me great pleasure to represent the U.S. Agency for International Development, commonly known as USAID, as we launch our support for “Project Consolidate”. This South African Government initiative will equip municipal Governments to plan for and provide better basic services and improve local economic development. Project Consolidate was launched six months ago. USAID has been working intensively with the Department of Provincial and Local Government to ensure that our programs are in alignment.
I wish to thank the Director-General of the Department of Provincial and Local Government for providing us with this opportunity to launch the third phase of our Local Governance Support Program. Since 1994, USAID has supported South Africa’s efforts to create a local sphere of Government that involves community people in delivering services and addressing common concerns.
Seven years ago, the USAID and the South African Governments signed an Agreement for $20 million creating the Local Governance Support Program. This program begins from the premise that democracy depends upon a strong social contract between the Government and its citizens whereby the Government delivers services and involves the citizens in problem solving.
USAID support has helped the Department draft key laws establishing South Africa’s 284 municipalities. We have assisted 93 South African municipalities to improve strategic planning for local economic development and increase citizen participation by training more than 5,000 ward committee members. USAID has also supported a web-based learning network for municipalities to share best practices and learn from each other. These activities were funded under our Phase II program of support, which ended in 2004.
Today, we are launching Phase III support for local governance. This new three-year phase is closely aligned with Project Consolidate and has two specific objectives:
1. to improve municipal planning and operating systems;
2. and to increase local revenue
The Local Governance Support Program will assist 23 municipalities in five provinces. Councilors and senior officials will improve their ability to help hundreds of thousands of South Africans gain access to water, sanitation and electricity. The training includes integrated development planning, budgeting, and revenue management. However, we all know that training itself is not enough. For municipalities to function – that is, to make water, electricity, roads and sanitation available to everyone – we need to commitment of the people.
Since I arrived in South Africa in August 2004 I have seen that South Africa has impressively resourceful people. A few months ago, I was in Cape Town, visiting community people who care passionately about their future. One woman who stands out in my mind has spearheaded recycling efforts in Khayelitsha. Her name is Eunice Roro; everybody calls her “Mama Roro”, with deep affection. She is improving the local environment while educating community people about pollution, sanitation and recycling. Her efforts are creating jobs and income while cleaning up the environment.
Mama Roro inspires us.
to see what great potential is available in this country when
citizens participate in solving local problems. 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.
I would like to draw your attention to other support that USAID is providing to South Africa. Our total program is close to $100 million per year. We work in partnership with the South African Government, the private sector, and the non-Governmental sector, to stimulate social and economic development. Specifically, we support programs in basic education; in health and HIV/AIDS; in building economic capacity; in employment creation; and in housing and urban development.
This latter program – focused on housing and urban development -- harmonizes closely with the program we are launching tonight. Through our housing program, USAID assists South Africa to develop policies to strengthen the economic potential of urban centers and to help provide financing for affordable housing and loan guarantees for municipal services. More than 500,000 households (many headed by women) have benefited from this program.
I wish to assure you, Deputy Minister, and all present here that USAID is committed to continuing our support for South Africa through “Project Consolidate”. We share the same goals of building capacity, optimizing and demonstrating impact, and encouraging participation. We look forward to contributing to building, in the words of President Thabo Mbeki, a better future for all.
Thank You.
Further information is available from Reverie Zurba at USAID: (012) 452-2000