This was a key message from the Agri in Conversation ‘Local government, national impact’ discussion held at Nampo Cape, where panellists argued that functioning municipalities were fundamental to unlocking economic potential. The discussion took place in lieu of the upcoming local government elections on 4 November.
Speaking at the event in Bredasdorp, Western Cape, this week, Jan de Villiers, spokesperson for the DA, said access to reliable water, electricity and other municipal services should not depend on where people lived or which political party governed their municipality.
“You should be getting services regardless of which party is in power. Vote for the person you know will use your rates and taxes to keep the municipality running in a professional manner.”
Martin Bergh, councillor for Cederberg Eerste, argued that municipalities should be managed more like businesses, where officials were held accountable for performance. However, municipalities did not always have the skills required to deliver effectively, while instability could leave civil servants reluctant to act.
De Villiers said political instability was particularly damaging because dysfunctional municipalities could not be repaired within a single five-year political term.
“You can’t save a municipality in the short term. Five years is not enough to bring the change you need to turn it around. It’s a 10-year job, and you need political stability that can execute the strategy relentlessly for 10 years.”
Coalition governments could complicate this process when smaller parties used their position to pursue political appointments or their own agendas, resulting in changing priorities and budgets.
With local government elections approaching, De Villiers urged voters to focus on measurable performance rather than personalities or political loyalties.
“Vote for people you think can put water in your taps, keep the lights on and fix the potholes. Whether you like the people or the party is irrelevant. Choose who can do the actual job.”
He said municipalities needed technical plans showing how services would be provided and demonstrating that those seeking office had the expertise to implement them.
“This is not a popularity contest. It’s about which party gives you the best long-term opportunity to get a properly functioning municipality.”
