Lekwa Local Municipality 2013/14 - Co-operative Governance and ...

“To be the leading, people centered municipality excelling in economic growth, development and governance”3. Improving Local infrastructureOur efforts investment should be in economic infrastructure crowds in private investment. Private investment is a function of current andprojected growth and profitability. Importantly, it is also a function of mutual trust and confidence in local economic development policies.In recent years, the municipality has favoured consumption over investment. The government's 2011 Medium Term Budget PolicyStatement acknowledges this and announces a shift in the composition of expenditure towards infrastructure investment and maintenance,which is absolutely necessary.4. An inclusive and integrated local rural economyThe economic and social legacy of colonialism and apartheid mean Lekwa's rural areas are characterized by unusually high levels of povertyand joblessness, with very limited employment in agriculture. The apartheid system forced much of the Lekwa population into ruralreserves. The result was an advanced and diversified commercial farming sector relying on poorly paid farm labour, and impoverished,densely populated Sakhile communities with limited economic opportunities and minimal government services.5. Reversing the spatial effects of apartheidSettlement patterns in lekwa should meet the needs and preferences of Greater lekwa population, taking into account broader social,environmental and economic interests. Travel distances need to be shorter. This means ensuring that a larger proportion of wo rkers livecloser to their places of work in Standerton CBD, and that public transport is safe, reliable, affordable and energy efficient. It meansbuilding denser and more live able communities like the new Selection Part called Standerton Ext 8. In rural areas, settlement patternsmust balance the social, cultural and agricultural needs of families with the need to provide cost-effective services to households.6. Improving the quality of education, training and innovationBy 2030, Lekwa needs an education system with the following attributes:oooooHigh-quality early childhood education, with access rates exceeding 90 per cent.Quality school education, with globally competitive literacy and numeracy standards.Further and higher education and training that enables people to fulfil their potential.An expanding higher education sector that is able to contribute towards rising incomes, higher productivity and theshift to a more knowledge-intensive local economy.A wider system of innovation that links key public institutions (FET’s, universities and Agricultural councils) withareas of the economy consistent with our economic priorities.7. Building safer communitiesBy 2030, people living in Lekwa should feel safe and have no fear of crime. Women and children and all vulnerable groups should feelprotected. They should have confidence in the criminal justice system to effectively apprehend and prosecute criminals who vi olateindividual and community safety. The South African Police Service and Lekwa Traffic police should be a professional institution staffed byskilled, disciplined, ethical individuals who value their work and serve the communities at large.8. Fighting corruptionFight against corruption in the municipality has to be fought on three fronts: deterrence, prevention and education. Deterrence helpspeople understand that they are likely to get caught and punished. Prevention is about systems (information, audit and so on) that make ithard to engage in corrupt acts. The social dimensions of corruption can only be tackled by focusing on values, through education. Lekwamunicipality has some, but not all, of these elements in place. The municipality’s procurement policies blur the line in matters ofcorruption. Multiple and sometimes contradictory objectives lead to poor value for money and make corruption easier.The key ingredients for success are: The active efforts of all Lekwa people Growth, investment and employment Rising standards of education and a healthy population An effective and capable Lekwa municipality10 | P a g e - D r a f t i n t e g r a t e d D e v e l o p m e n t P l a n 2 0 1 3 / 2 0 1 4