In a bid to address the challenges facing local governments and improve service delivery, Deputy President Paul Mashatile emphasized the importance of effectively managing coalition governments. Speaking at the National Dialogue on Coalition Governments in Cape Town, Mashatile highlighted the urgency of tackling issues at the local government level and enhancing governance through stable coalitions.
The media briefing, held at the National Dialogue on Coalition Governments, saw Deputy President Mashatile address the pressing need for collaboration and efficient governance within coalition setups. He underlined the role of the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) minister, Thembi Nkadimeng, as a key partner in driving these efforts.
Mashatile asserted, “The Minister of CoGTA remains my key partner in driving this because, as you have seen, we are quite focused at the local government where we have more challenges. So, the Minister of CoGTA is key because the dialogue itself felt that there is an urgency in addressing challenges at the local government level.”
The Deputy President expressed a commitment to exploring ways in which these engagements could lead to improved governance and service delivery at the local government level. “We will definitely be looking at how these engagements will allow us to go down to local government to ensure that we have stable coalitions that are focused on good governance and serving the people even much better than they have been doing up to now,” he stated during the media briefing.
Mashatile also outlined plans for further engagements to refine the discussions and incorporate feedback from various political parties. “We only finished commissions [on Saturday], the secretariat needs more time to factor in the comments of political parties so they agreed that we will finalize the declaration once we have taken into account [political parties] comments,” he explained.
While a national framework for coalition governance was generally agreed upon, specific implementation details such as the need for legislation or regulation would be subject to further refinement and discussion. Mashatile acknowledged differing views among political parties and the necessity for ongoing dialogue to address these nuanced concerns.
In his closing address at the dialogue, Deputy President Mashatile appealed to political parties to unite in pursuit of stability and economic growth for South Africa. “All what needed to be said this weekend has been said. We came, we engaged, we listened to one another, and we have agreed that this issue of coalitions is something that is with us and needs to be discussed,” he stated.
He underscored the broader goals of stability, economic prosperity, and effective governance. “We want stability in the country, we want economic growth [and] we want a South Africa that is prosperous. We want municipalities to be stable… we want to make South Africa work. We can do it if we ensure stability in the country,” Deputy President Mashatile emphasized.
The call for enhanced coalition governance resonates deeply within the context of South Africa’s evolving political landscape. As the nation strives for improved service delivery, economic growth, and stability, the discussions and engagements led by Deputy President Mashatile provide a crucial platform for political parties to collaborate and drive positive change at the local government level. Ongoing efforts to refine the national framework and address differing viewpoints reflect a commitment to inclusive and effective governance that serves the best interests of the nation and its citizens.
