The civil rights organisation AfriForum and the Mookgophong-Modimolle Local Municipality this week concluded an historical advisory agreement. The agreement determines, among others, that AfriForum will assist the Municipality with advice regarding water and sanitation services, as well as have access to the plants and municipal information regarding it.
According to Johan Kruger, Head of Community Development at AfriForum, the agreement is a first of its kind for AfriForum. “The Municipality’s readiness to conclude an agreement with AfriForum for advisory services is a big step towards a more participating management model for municipalities and community-based organisations. We have access to immense specialist knowledge and experience within our membership base and externally, and we want to help municipalities to reach excellent levels of service delivery.”
Marlene van Staden, Mayor of the Municipality, says AfriForum’s advice and assistance are welcome and the time for such an agreement is ripe. “Over the last term it was our specific aim to improve service delivery to all communities. It however takes time and knowledge to turn around years of negligence and inefficient systems and that is we are not hesitating at all to take hands with community organisations that are eager to contribute.”
Kruger furthermore confirms that the Municipal Systems Act and other legislation leave room for community organisations to become involved, not only as far as the sharing of advice is concerned, but also with regards to delivering some type of service. “AfriForum and its subsidiary – the services company Pionier – recently experienced with the successful management of the water and sewage plants of Koster and Swartruggens that communities can successfully bring forth bigger participation in the management of services. Hopefully it will motivate other municipalities whose water and sewage services are in a desperate state to cooperate with AfriForum so that proper and trusted services can be delivered to all communities.”