By AGISANANG SCUFF
24 July 2025- The Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Dr Namane Dickson Masemola, presented the Review Discussion Document on the 1998 White Paper on Local Government (WPLG) at a Special MunMEC Consultative Workshop in the Northern Cape. The initiative was convened by the Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass.
The MunMEC was also attended by THE Northern Cape MEC for Health, Maruping Lekwene.
Welcoming the 29 of the 31 municipalities of the Northern Cape in attendance and other stakeholders like SALGA, the Northern Cape Provincial House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders and other key departments, Vass highlighted the importance of the review process.
“This review process provides us with an opportunity to introspect, to reflect, and ultimately to reimagine local government that is fit-for-purpose and that addresses the multitude of service delivery challenges confronting our communities,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, Masemola highlighted that the assumptions underpinning the 1998 system are outdated due to significant political, demographic and economic changes. He emphasized the need to assess whether current local government structures and models remain fit for purpose.
“The inclusive and consultative nature of the review process being led at both political and administrative levels, with public submissions open until 31 July 2025. The process will then move toward developing a draft policy document, to be refined further through feedback engagements in September 2025 and beyond,” said Masemola.
The Guardian 