The speaker of the Matjhabeng Local Municipality, Bhekumuzi Charles Stofile, is the new president of the South African Local Government Association (Salga).
The election took place following Salga’s two-day national conference that was recently held in Cape Town.
Stofile is currently ser-ving a third term as the speaker of Matjhabeng.
He said convening under the theme “Consolidating the role of local government in rebuilding local communities to meet their social, economic and material needs,” signals their intention to holistically change the people’s lives for the better.
“The conference has resolved that municipalities must do everything in their power to collect outstanding debts to be able to render improved service delivery. Municipalities must also cut off services if citizens don’t pay,” he said.
Stofile, who joined the local government in 2011, says municipalities need money so they can deliver services. He says a new civic responsibility campaign called Asisho! have been launched.
Stofile says it is no secret that across the three spheres of government, local government receives the least from the national fiscus – and receives just over 9% on an annual basis.
Because of his diplomacy, good listening skills, fairness and assertiveness, Stofile has earned respect from his political peers.
He has over time been involved in various leadership positions, which have resulted in him acquiring a high level of strategic planning and executive skills.
These include public management and executive leadership skills.
