Mubesko Africa has consulted to several of South Africa’s top-rated municipalities. MD Nico de Kock lists seven areas which the best performing municipalities consistently get right.
1. Meaning.
Municipalities generally all have organisational values and mission statements, but they understand that their reason for being is about service delivery.
2. Purpose.
A clean audit from the Attorney General is a good indicator of performance but those who achieve it know that it’s a qualifier – it is expected of them.
Having ticked all the boxes in the AG’s report means:
- Investor confidence, and more jobs.
- New residents will move to the region, creating new revenue streams.
- Residents are fulfilled, reducing the chances of unrest.
- Visitors can expect a well-serviced stay.
These municipalities look beyond the AG’s audit report and understand why its important.
3. Boundaries.
The ‘separation of power’ between the political and administrative arms is essential. When this is skewed, things go wrong as the former might place undue pressure through self-interest, among others.
Well-performing municipalities respect boundaries and – within their mandates – work together for the benefit of their communities.
4. Compliance.
Acts and regulations are exhaustive but necessary to protect the public. When one disregards legislation, it is either through ignorance, misinterpretation or intent.
The top performing municipalities stick to the rules but have the savvy that should a specific requirement block essential service delivery; they can explore how – for example – the Constitution can guide them.
5. Qualifications.
You cannot run portfolios such as water security, roads and disaster management, finance, or social services etc without the necessary qualifications. The best municipalities have experienced and qualified professionals heading portfolios.
To promote continuity, top performers are committed to growing and developing their managers and officials.
6. Innovation.
A municipality is a multi-faceted organisation dealing with diverse challenges ranging from managing urbanisation, water security, navigating a funding squeeze, attracting investment, ensuring safety and security, and everything in between.
Old answers to old questions will no longer suffice, so a culture of innovation and alternative thinking sets the top municipalities apart from the rest.
Technology such as IoT, smart city and 5G presents solutions for municipalities to improve effectiveness and manage challenges and opportunities, and the top municipalities will have already embraced what technology offers.
7. Leadership.
As in any corporation, leadership sets the tone and pace.
In my experience, whether in the political arm headed by the mayor or administrative arm, headed by the Municipal Manager (essentially, a hybrid CEO – MD), the leadership teams of South Africa’s top performing municipalities are exceptional.
A popular conversation is about how badly municipalities are performing and there is truth in this. However, there are pockets within South Africa which are performing exceptionally well under difficult conditions, and this brings hope for a better future.
Nico de Kock
MD Mubesko Africa
nico@mubesko.co.za
mubesko.co.za
Mubesko Africa is a well-established consultancy offering financial management and management support, asset accounting and modelling, and forensic investigation services.