Statement by Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development | Western Cape Government

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Statement by Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development

23 March 2017

15 March 2017

 Statement by Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell.

 Groundbreaking Municipal APP Launched

 A ground-breaking local government communications APP that will provide easy, direct communication between citizens and their municipalities, has been launched in Cape Town.

 The Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, launched the APP this morning.

 “We’ve recognised that the way our citizens want to interact with their local municipality is changing and we are responding to that need. This APP will take local government, its decisions and processes straight into the homes of citizens and provide them with a real opportunity to take an active part in how their municipalities are managed. There will no longer be a need to attend council meetings or town hall meetings to be able to partake in municipal processes.”

 The APP is the latest technological development by die Western Cape Department of Local Government, following standardized websites for municipalities rolled out in 2016. Initially ten Municipalities were provided with these standardized websites. This has since been expanded to 19 out of the 30 municipalities in the province.

 Mohammed Parker, the deputy director in the department who has been in charge of the development, says the APP is currently being piloted in five municipalities across the province.

 

These are

  • Laingsburg ;
  • Langeberg;
  • Overstrand;
  • Oudtshoorn; and
  • Swartland municipalities

 “The initial municipalities will have the APP rolled out in full over the next twelve months. We plan to have a complete roll-out across the province by 2018/19 financial year.”

 Some of the APP’s key features:

  • Providing a direct channel of communication with the Municipality;
  • This will enhance decision-making process and
  • Enable faster response to service requests.
  • The APP will enhance engagement with decision-making processes of the Municipality including approvals and inputs on municipal budgets;

 Graham Paulse, the head of department says the time is ripe for this innovation.

“Smart phone penetration is increasing and with the broadband rollout in the province, the department is now increasingly able to innovate responsibly.”

 Bredell says the APP will be free for all users and compatible on all platforms whether smart phone or feature phones.

 “These innovation represents a giant leap forward in local government and forms part of our strategy to enhance transparent and accessible government for all citizens in the Western Cape,” Bredell said.

 

ENDS./

Media Enquiries: 

Media enquiries:

 

James-Brent Styan

Spokesperson for the Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell

Mobile:                   084 583 1670

Telephone:            021 483 2820

E-mail:                    James-Brent.Styan@westerncape.gov.za