Workshop Encourages Public Participation | Western Cape Government

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Workshop Encourages Public Participation

3 February 2011

Today, Anton Bredell, Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, welcomed officials to a workshop where the results of a nation-wide research study on the role and effectiveness of ward committees in community-based participation were announced.

This research study was commissioned by the Expanding and Strengthening Community Based Participation in Local Government Programme. At the workshop, the National Department of Cooperative Governance shared the results of the study and facilitated a discussion on the recommendations of the findings.

In support of the critical importance of public participation in local government, the Department of Local Government has established a Public Participation Directorate to assist municipalities in this regard.

The workshop looked at a wide range of issues, like how to improve relationships within wards and how to motivate citizens to participate and engage in developing communities.

In his speech, Minister Bredell said that his department will continue to give support and guidance to the establishment of ward committees after the local government elections. We will be conducting and supporting capacity building and training programmes for newly elected ward committee members, he said. I would like to appeal to municipalities to strive towards a proper establishment that will lead to depoliticising this structure.

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