DIGEST 2006 - Sabita

strategies as promulgated by the
ASGISA objectives.
The proposed seminar will focus
on three main areas:
• The requirements of the
Municipal Finance
Management Act (MFMA),
which requires that local
authorities report annually on
their fixed assets including
roads. These reports are
required to indicate the level
of depreciation or
appreciation of these assets;
• The second focus area is to
highlight the actual status of
the road network in the
region where the workshop is
being conducted;
• The third focus area will give
a brief overview of best
practice and solutions to
ensure a well-maintained
municipal road network.
The seminars will conclude with a
panel discussion in which
delegates may express their views
and chart a way forward.
The first seminar is scheduled to
be held in the Western Cape on 15
March 2007. Based on the
experience gained at this seminar,
further seminars will be hosted in
other regions. Sabita has
commissioned a public relations
company to assist with the
marketing of these seminars to
maximise the attendance of the
local councillors and to ensure that
they are not intimidated by the
technical aspects of the seminars.
SALGA Endorsement
Sabita is also seeking the
endorsement of the seminars by
South African Local Government
Association (SALGA) to help in
motivating the hosting of seminars
in other provinces.
To build on one of the key success
factors in the implementation of
the previous LCEP, the intention is
to optimise the involvement of
Sabita members. Sabita members
operating in an area where
seminars are to be conducted will
be invited to set up small
exhibition stands or display their
equipment. This strategy will
provide Sabita members with an
opportunity to display their
particular areas of service in the
urban road maintenance arena,
and to interact with municipal
officials and councillors in an
environment of learning and
empowerment.
To reduce the time in preparing
for the successive seminars, it is
intended that the contents of each
presentation be packaged in a way
that ensures ease of
communication. Sabita has
prepared an informative
non-technical hand out on the
importance of maintaining a
surfaced road network that may
be used as reference material by
the delegates.
Any organisation or person
wishing to conduct a seminar in
their region should telephone
Trevor Distin at 021-531 2718, or
make contact by email through
info@sabita.co.za.
63