South African local government, or municipalities, are at the heart of basic service delivery and thus have
a direct impact on our daily lives. However, most municipalities struggle with significant challenges,
including limited funding, skills shortages, political interference, service delivery backlogs, weak
governance, and inadequate infrastructure, all of which hinder effective service provision and sustainable
development.
In response, there has been a concerted effort made to professionalise local government.
This initiative aims to transform local government institutions, particularly municipalities, into highly
effective, ethical, and developmental entities. The CoGTA minister, Mr. Velenkosi Hlabisa, is currently
driving this initiative.
The current state of service delivery in Local Government
While there has been progress in extending access to basic services over the past decade, significant disparities and ongoing challenges persist. According to Statistics South Africa’s “The State of Basic Service Delivery in South Africa: Analysis of the Census 2022 Data“ the following basic service delivery improvements have been made:
- Improved Access: Between 2011 and 2022, access to clean water increased from 85.1% to 88.5%, improved sanitation from 68.9% to 80.7%, weekly refuse removal from 62.1% to 67.1%, and access to electricity rose by 9.6 percentage points to 94.3%.
- Persistent Disparities: Despite these improvements, access still varies widely within and between municipalities, largely due to differences in population size, economic development, and infrastructure needs. Rural municipalities (B4) consistently lag in all service areas, even though they saw the most significant improvements between 2011 and 2022.
- Quality Concerns and Dysfunction: The Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) reports highlight critical issues. In 2022, 45% of municipalities had performance indicators in their service delivery and budget implementation plans that were not measurable or lacked systems for data collection, leading to unreliable reporting. Furthermore, over three-quarters (76%) of the 237 municipalities that prepared performance reports submitted poor-quality reports for auditing.
- Infrastructure Challenges: The Department of Water and Sanitation reported in 2022 that just over a third (34%) of the country’s water supply systems were in the high or critical risk category, posing a potential risk to consumer safety. Poorly maintained infrastructure contributes to backlogs and hinders the completion of projects.
- Financial Distress and Capacity Issues: Many municipalities face funding constraints, with low rates of revenue collection. High vacancy rates, particularly for skilled professionals, and instances of outsourcing basic tasks that municipal officials could perform, point to significant capacity deficits. Political interference in administrative processes and corruption is also frequently cited as major impediments to effective service delivery, often leading to public dissatisfaction and protests.
These statistics paint a picture of a system that has made progress in expanding reach but is still a far cry from meeting expectations. This is mostly due to battling with issues relating to quality, efficiency, and sustainability. This is precisely where the professionalisation agenda seeks to make a significant difference.
What is the Professionalisation of Local Government?
Professionalisation, in Local Government, refers to a comprehensive drive to elevate the standards of competence, ethics, and performance within local government. It moves beyond merely appointing individuals to positions, focusing instead on cultivating a workforce that possesses the necessary skills, knowledge, and values to deliver on their mandate.
Key aspects of this professionalisation include:
- Competency-Based Recruitment and Selection: Shifting away from politically motivated appointments towards merit-based systems where individuals are selected based on their qualifications and demonstrable abilities.
- Continuous Professional Development (CPD): Ensuring ongoing training and upskilling for all municipal officials, from administrative staff to senior managers, to keep pace with evolving demands and best practices.
- Upholding Ethical Standards: Promoting a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability to combat corruption and foster public trust.
- Performance Management: Implementing robust systems to monitor and evaluate the performance of individuals and departments, with clear consequences for underperformance and recognition for excellence.
- Specialised Expertise: Encouraging the development of specific expertise in critical areas such as financial management, engineering, urban planning, and public administration.
- Depoliticisation of the Administration: Creating an environment where public servants can perform their duties impartially, free from undue political interference.
The ultimate goal of professionalisation is to create a local government that is responsive, efficient, and capable of sustainably delivering quality services to its communities, thereby contributing to the broader developmental objectives outlined in the National Development Plan: Vision 2030.
The Impact on Consulting Companies: A New Era of Collaboration
The drive for professionalisation presents both challenges and significant opportunities for consulting companies like Assessment Toolbox. As municipalities strive to enhance their internal capabilities, the need for specialised external support becomes even more critical.
For Assessment Toolbox, a leading human capital consulting and psychometric competency assessment company in South Africa, this shift is particularly relevant. Our expertise aligns directly with the core principles of professionalisation. More specifically, this is what we predict will transpire as this initiative rolls out:
- Increased Demand for Rigourous Assessment Solutions: With the emphasis on competency-based recruitment and development, municipalities may increasingly rely on scientifically sound psychometric assessments to identify and evaluate suitable candidates. Assessment Toolbox, with its proven track record in government assessments, is uniquely positioned to provide these services, ensuring that the right people are placed in the right roles.
- Tailored Training and Development Programs: Beyond initial recruitment, the need for continuous professional development creates a demand for customised training programs. Assessment Toolbox can leverage our insights from competency assessments to design targeted interventions that address specific skill gaps and foster leadership capabilities within municipal teams.
- Performance Management System Design and Implementation: Consulting companies, including Assessment Toolbox, can play a vital role in helping municipalities develop and implement effective performance management frameworks, ensuring that performance is accurately measured, feedback is constructive, and accountability mechanisms are in place.
- Organisational Development and Culture Change: Professionalisation is not just about individual skills; it also involves fostering a culture of excellence, ethics, and service orientation. We can assist in organisational development initiatives, including culture audits, change management strategies, and leadership coaching to support this transformation.
- Strategic Advisory Services: As municipalities navigate the complexities of professionalisation, they will require strategic guidance on human resource planning, talent management, and succession planning. Leveraging on people advisory services, such as those offered by Assessment Toolbox, can provide these crucial insights, helping municipalities build sustainable human capital strategies.
A Testament to Our Expertise: Driving Legislation and Revising the Senior Manager Assessment Battery
Our commitment to the professionalisation agenda is perhaps best exemplified by the instrumental role our CEO,
Attie Butler, has played in driving the very legislation behind the professionalisation of local government. His deep engagement and advocacy have been crucial in shaping the policy landscape. Furthermore, our significant involvement in the ongoing revision of the current Senior Manager Assessment Battery for local government is a direct result of this commitment. This crucial initiative aims to ensure that the assessment tools used to select top leadership are rigorously aligned with the evolving demands and competencies required for effective municipal management. Our deep understanding of local government challenges and our expertise in competency-based assessment design have been instrumental in this process, directly contributing to a more robust and equitable selection mechanism for senior leadership.
In conclusion, the professionalisation of local government is not merely a policy directive; it’s a fundamental shift in how municipalities operate. For consulting companies like Assessment Toolbox, it signifies a move from transactional engagements to strategic partnerships. We are no longer just service providers; we become integral enablers, working hand-in-hand with local government to build a truly capable, ethical, and developmental state that genuinely serves the needs of all South Africans. The future of local government in South Africa is professional, and we are ready to be a key partner in this transformative journey.