By Staff Reporter
The National Planning Commission (NPC) and the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) convened with a delegation from the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM) on April 7-8, 2025, at the Union Buildings, Pretoria.
Led by executive mayor, Gregory Nthatisi, the Mangaung delegation engaged in a comprehensive two-day session focused on enhancing local government capacity and expertise in planning, monitoring, and evaluation, tailored to align with the National Development Plan: Vision 2030 (NDP) objectives.
The NPC, as the presidential advisory body overseeing long-term national planning, spearheaded the discussions.
Commissioner Hope Magidimisha facilitated the proceedings, with Commissioner Pulane Molokwane emphasizing the NPC’s role in advancing NDP goals related to spatial transformation and service delivery at the local level.
Commissioner Mashupye Maserumule reiterated the critical need for capable local governments and prioritizing capacity-building efforts.
Mamotabo Mohlala, Chief Director of Sector Monitoring: Local Government (DPME), coordinated the program, bringing together representatives from the DPME, Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (DCoGTA), South African Local Government Association (SALGA), National Treasury, and the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB).
Key contributions included updates from the DPME on local government priorities outlined in the NDP 2030 and the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024–2029.
SALGA provided an overview of ongoing capacity-building initiatives at the local government level, while the National Treasury focused on municipal resource allocation and enhancing budget accountability.
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (DCoGTA) shared insights into its training programmes and the implementation of the professionalisation framework for local government.
The Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) presented its plans to review municipal capacity assessments and enable municipalities to update their data during the 2025/2026 financial year.
Discussions emphasized collaborative efforts across all government spheres to implement District Development Model One Plans and align with statutory instruments. The session highlighted gaps in evaluation capacity within the municipality.
Agreed actions include prioritizing training on the Audit Action Plan systems and Muni eMonitor, led by the National Treasury.
The municipality will also identify additional capacity support needs and communicate them to the DPME.
Furthermore, ongoing dialogue with relevant departments will be sustained to coordinate capacity-building initiatives and strengthen monitoring and evaluation processes, including continued engagements with the Municipal Demarcation Board and the National Planning Commission on programme implementation progress.
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