Administration 
Office of the Municipal Manager Intergovernmental and international relations unit
Office of the Municipal Manager Intergovernmental and international relations unit
| The Intergovernmental and International Relations Unit exists as per the IGRFA, Act No: 13 of 2006 and the Municipal International Relations Policy of 1999. As one can see that the Unit is two pronged, its focus is on the strategic coordination of Government Programs among all spheres of Government while at the same time ensuring a sound working relations with Municipalities outside South Africa through a well coordinated International Relations manner. These two key priorities have been addressed in a number of programs including the ones below: | ||
| Intergovernmental Relations Programs | ||
| District Wide IGR Framework |
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| Our first project on Governance was to develop the District Wide IGR Framework. While addressing our own issues, we had to make sure that the strategy is informed by the National and Provincial Policies. We started with the establishment of Technical Forums which are to inform the Agenda of the Executive Mayors’ Forum. There has been a lot of excitement and commitments on some while also some had their own challenges. It is for that reason that the Municipality adopted the Cluster approach which is currently in force. Back to the top |
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| Presidential Imbizo and Parliamentary Oversight visits | ||
| A lot of issues get discussed every time we have an engagement with National or Provincial Departments. Most of these issues are concerns from the members of the public. It therefore becomes an IGR function to mobilise relevant stakeholders and ensure that all such issues are attended to and reported accordingly. | ||
| ILGM Conference | ||
| The District Municipality had an honour to host the 12TH ILGM National Conference in 2008. This is an annual event hosted on behalf of the Department of Local Government in South Africa. All logistical arrangements rested with the Unit to ensure success of the event which indeed was realised. Back to the top |
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| Other IGR Support | ||
| Other IGR Support Other IGR Support offered by the Unit to other Units/Departments include the NSDP-PDGS-IDP Alignment engagement and the recent visit by UGu District Municipality. Both these engagements had an IGR element both in coordination and execution. Back to the top |
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| International Relations Programs |
| Swaziland | ||
| The Cross Border Program with Swaziland aimed at maximising the 2010 FIFA Cup opportunity and to facilitate a Government to Government engagement on the project as mandated by the South African Government on its bidding document. Back to the top |
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| Mozambique | ||
| The Cross Border Program with Mozambique also had the same objectives as those of the Swaziland Program. This one was however challenged by lack of cooperation on the side of the Mozambicans and the fact that the project was falling within an Electoral period of Mozambique. The only option we were left with was to use an Africa’s Investment Conference hosted by Maputo to advance same objectives which was indeed a huge success. Back to the top |
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| Ghana | ||
| Our involvement in the continental Governance issues was displayed by the participation in the First Congress for the United Cities and Local Governments Association of Africa, UCLGA in July of 2008. The Congress was indeed a success except for the minor technicalities that resulted in the cancelling of our return flight with the Authorities reporting that the flight is fully booked. This called for a two day extension of the EDM delegations’ stay in Accra. Back to the top |
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| China | ||
| The Unit also assisted in the hosting of the Chinese delegation that toured the Province in December 2008. This was a Cultural Gala Dinner that aimed at displaying the depth of our Cultural Diversity we often talk about. There were Indian Dancers, Swazi, Shangaan, Afrikaans and Indigenous Marimba Dancers. The whole thing was blended by an African Traditional Dish at the end which the delegates appreciated much. Back to the top |
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| Also on the International Relations front, the Unit coordinated the Soccerex event hosted by Brazil in March 2009. All International Relations priorities and efforts had to be diverted to this one considering its magnitude and strategic staging towards the hosting of the 2010 FIFA Cup in South Africa. The attendance was outstanding and EDM managed to advance its objectives of marketing Mbombela as a host city for 2010 and the tourism and hospitality programs that the District can offer to the FIFA family. The Italy trip aimed at deepening our Democracy with the global communities. It was arranged such that the Leadership gets a glimpse of the Egyptian tourism strengths, the Suez Canal leading into Venice and later the Southern part of Italy. The reception was outstanding and it even much motivating to see the level of recognition we our delegation received from the Italian Authorities not to mention the fact that the delegation received a standing ovation on behalf of Nelson Mandela, the living icon of the world. A lot was learnt from this project in particular, from logistical coordination to general approach on International Programs. |
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| Conclusion | ||
| The District Municipality, like all other Sectors of Government was in the past characterised by a silo mentality resulting in a disjointed execution of Programs. There was therefore a need for a central Unit for coordination, bringing about that much needed synergy linking the Municipality with other Spheres. The IGR Unit came in handy in offering such a support service by way of pulling together all Stakeholders with their resources in ensuring the delivery of all Government Programs in the District Municipal Space. | ||
| Management Contact Detail | ||
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Name: | |
| Tel: | +27 (0) 13 759 8646 | |
| EMail: |
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