| Local Government Capacity-Building
Ward Committee Training in Bohlabela
and Vhembe Builds Capacity of Local Trainers
From November-December 2003, Planact developed and
delivered a ‘Training of Trainers’ programme
for the district municipalities of Bohlabela and Vhembe
(in Limpopo/Mpumalanga border area), as a capacity-building
initiative to equip local trainers to conduct training
of ward committees in their municipalities. Twenty-seven
councillors and officials in Bohlabela attended the
training, and 34 in Vhembe (with a total of 51 completing
the course). In each area, two days of training were
devoted to participatory, adult training methodology
and techniques, and three days to local government processes
using Planact’s six modules from the local government
‘Enhancement Programme’ as a basis for delivering
the content. A facilitator’s guide that included
an overview of both programme components was developed
and used in the course.
A core group of those trained were identified to participate
as trainers in the roll-out of training to all ward
committees in the two districts. That training took
place from March-May 2004, attended by a total of 755
people representing 127 wards. Participant evaluations
of the training indicated a high level of comprehension
of the subject matter and a high degree of appreciation
for the training programme. Planact trainers worked
alongside the local ‘trainers-in-training’
to deliver the workshops, providing feedback on an ongoing
basis to ensure that they would be competent to undertake
training independently, and individual assessments were
provided to them to assist in their professional development.
Twenty-one trainers completed the programme successfully.
Planact believes that the programme can make a significant
contribution to building local capacity to involve ward
committees in governance on an ongoing basis. Planact
intends to explore further possible opportunities that
may exist to use the Training of Trainers guides as
part of ongoing, sustainable capacity-building in district
councils.
The training was funded by USAID as part of their Democracy
and Governance Programme in South Africa.
(July, 2004)
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