Planact, working with communities from Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and Tshwane in the Gauteng Province, has made a written submission capturing residents’ views and experiences of local government. The submission follows an extensive workshop with residents across the three metropolitan municipalities and reflects community perspectives on governance challenges.

Some of the recommendations include:

• Establishing formal coalition governance agreements to ensure stability and prevent political infighting.
• Professionalising local administration through merit-based appointments rather than patronage.
• Developing a robust financial recovery strategy to address municipal debt and mismanagement.
• Reforming procurement processes with transparency and community oversight to curb corruption.
• Prioritising infrastructure investment and reliable emergency service plans, particularly in underserved areas.
• Unlocking innovations in service delivery and financing models to expand access.
• Expanding digital and participatory platforms so residents can shape decisions affecting their daily lives.
• Advancing spatial transformation for more inclusive, just, and equitable urban development.

The submission positions community perspectives not merely as consultation, but as lived experiences and a democratic necessity which insist that local government must function with integrity and inclusivity if it is to serve the public interest. READ THE FULL SUBMISSION HERE